Warts can appear in various forms, presenting as either individual growths or clusters. Occasionally, you may notice several small black “dots” within a wart. These are caused by tiny blood vessels.
Common warts typically manifest as thickened, rough bumps found on the hands, elbows, knees, and face. They generally appear in shades of gray, brown, or pink.
Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet and are characterized by a rough and thick texture. They can sometimes resemble calluses and are often painful, especially in weight-bearing spots.
Flat warts are generally smaller and smoother compared to other types. They can be pink, skin-colored, or light brown and are usually found in clusters.
Filiform warts have “finger-like” protrusions and are often located on the face.
You should seek medical attention if warts are painful, bleeding, or located on the face or genital area. Treatment is also advised if warts begin to spread.
Several treatment options are available for managing warts, though this list is not exhaustive. Treatments may involve paring down the wart or scraping off thickened skin, freezing them with liquid nitrogen, applying Cantharidin (“beetle juice”), using prescription creams (such as 5-fluorouracil 5%, imiquimod, or Retin-A), or injectable agents. Warts are notoriously persistent and often require multiple treatment attempts. Combining approaches may also enhance their effectiveness in wart removal.
