All about Warts

What are warts? Warts are small, skin-coloured, roughish excess growths of skin. They can be as small as 1mm or as big as 1cm in diameter, and can occur on their own or in clusters. Common warts are the most frequently occurring type of wart (70% of all warts are common warts). The common wart is easily recognisable by the rough "cauliflower-like" appearance of its surface. They can appear anywhere on the body, but they're most common on knuckles, knees and fingers.

What causes warts? Warts are caused by a virus, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which enters the skin through small cuts and scratches. Warts do not appear immediately following infection - the incubation periods can be as long as 24 months.

Things to know about warts. If untreated, trouble-free warts will often disappear in time. But it's important to remember that they will remain infectious and may spread elsewhere if left untreated.

Warts by their very nature can infect anyone. However, warts are very common in young children, and there is a natural tendency for young children to pick or scratch existing warts. This releases the virus, spreading them to unaffected skin and other people through physical contact.