Different Types of Warts

A viral infection causes the warts that occur commonly on the skin. A virus from the human papillomavirus, or HPV virus, family is the culprit, which can spread by either coming in contact with a person infected by it or with a contaminated surface. A wart is a horny lump of skin that can occur practically on any part of the body, which includes the genitals, but usually is more common on the hands and feet. There are more than sixty types of warts and they are usually characterized by oozing, itching, and burning. Verruca vulgaris, or common warts, plantar warts, genital warts, and flat warts are just some of the various types of warts.

While warts usually go away without any treatment, however, they may also persist for a long time, sometimes even years, if left untreated. Although warts are usually contagious, some people seem to be more susceptible to them and some types of virus seem to be more contagious than others, e.g. genital warts.

Given below are some of the most common types of warts:

Common Wart
Also known as verruca vulgaris, these generally occur in the hands, fingers and knees. It is a raised wart with a surface that feels rough. While they can occur at any age, but they are usually seen in children.

Flat Wart
As is evident by the name, this wart is distinguished by it flattened and smooth surface. Usually occurring on knees, hands, neck, and face, the flat wart can be light or dark in color.

Plantar Wart
This wart occurs on the soles of the feet, and hence is especially painful. Occurring in variable sizes, this wart can be as small as a pinhead or as big as a quarter. On examining it closely tiny red, brown, or black spots will be seen inside it, which are actually blood vessels. Because the HPV virus causes it, removing it does not guarantee it not recurring again. Since the plantar wart is contagious, you can get it merely by walking barefoot outside.

Genital Wart
This wart, as the name indicates, occurs in the genital area, hence it is also known as vaginal wart, venereal wart, and if it occurs in the anal region, anal wart. Since they can be transferred sexually, these warts are more serious. Like the plantar wart, the genital wart is also caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. Since it can be spread by sexual contact, it is listed as a ‘sexually transmitted disease’, and it can also lead to cervical cancer in women.

Mosaic Wart
This wart grows on the soles of the feet too, but can be differentiated from the plantar wart because it grows in clusters. It can also occur on the hands.

Filiform Wart
This wart occurs mainly on the face, around the eyelids and lips. It resembles a miniscule sized finger.

Since warts are usually spread by the HPV virus, one of the best ways to prevent them from occurring or coming back after they go away or are removed, is strengthening the immune system.