Warts are skin growths caused by a virus in the skin surface. They can be unsightly and sometimes painful. Although warts can appear anywhere on the body, which are more common in the hands (known as common warts) or the soles of the feet (known as plantar warts).

Warts can occur in a variety of shapes and sizes. A wart may appear as a bump with a rough surface, or it may be flat and smooth. Small blood vessels grow on the wart and may appear as dark spots in the center. Typically, lines and wrinkles on the skin wart distorted. Warts may appear singly or in groups.

Common warts appear most often on the hands and can be easily recognized for being rough and cauliflower shaped in appearance of the surface. They are generally about the size of a pencil eraser.

Plantar warts are at the bottom of the foot. They look like hard, thick patches of skin with dark spots. Plantar warts can be as large as two inches wide, but are typically about the size of a pencil eraser. Plantar warts can be very painful, especially when walking.

Warts are caused by a virus may enter the skin through a cut or abrasion. The virus causes the upper layer of the skin to grow rapidly, resulting in a wart.

Warts are contagious and can spread easily through direct contact. You can become infected by touching the wart and then another part of your body, and you can infect others by sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

• Avoid contact with warts
• Good hygiene and proper treatment of the cuts can help limit the development of warts
• Keep warts covered with a bandage to prevent the spread