Warts
(Common Warts)
Alan Rockoff, MD
Dr. Rockoff received his undergraduate degree from Yeshiva College with the distinction of Summa Cum Laude. He received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His internship and two years of Pediatric residency were at the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, followed by training in Dermatology at the combined residency program at Tufts and Boston Universities. Dr. Rockoff is certified by both the American Board of Dermatology and the American Board of Pediatrics.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
- Wart facts
- What are common warts?
- What are some types of common warts?
- What is the treatment for common warts?
- Is using over-the-counter wart treatments safe?
- Are wart treatments effective?
- What if wart removal treatments fail?
- Patient Comments: Warts - Effective Treatments
- Patient Comments: Warts - Experiences
- Find a local Dermatologist in your town
Wart facts
- Warts are local growths in the skin that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
- Types of warts include common warts, flat warts, plantar warts, periungual warts, and filiform warts.
- Warts typically disappear on their own with time, but it may take years.
- Warts respond variably to treatment measures.
- Over-the-counter treatments for warts include salicylic-acid preparations and freezing kits.
- Warts may recur following treatment.
What are common warts?
Common warts are local growths in the skin that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. There are over 100 types of HPVs. Some HPV types infect the genital tract and cause genital warts and cancers of the anal and genital regions. Other, different HPV types are responsible for common skin warts. Although warts are considered to be contagious, it is common for just one family member to have them. In addition, they often affect just one part of the body (such as the hands or the feet) but they can be spread to other areas by picking them.
What are some types of common warts?
- There is the familiar type of dome-shaped warts on the backs of fingers, toes, and knees.
- Plantar warts are found on the bottom of the foot. (The "plantar" part of the foot. These are not "Planter's warts.")
- Flat ("plane") warts may arise on the face, legs, and other parts of the body, often in large numbers.
- Periungual warts are warts around or under the nail.
- Filiform warts typically appear as a single long stalk, often on the face.
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