What does a wart look like?
Warts vary in appearance based on the type. They may look:
- Dome-shaped.
- Flat.
- Rough.
- Bumpy or cauliflower-like.
- Smooth.
- Thread- or finger-like.
- Skin-colored, brown, grey or black.
- Like they have small black or brownish dots.
They range in size from 1 millimeter to a couple of centimeters. You may have just one wart or several in the same area.
You may be able to identify a wart by yourself. But if you’re unsure about a new skin growth, you should see your healthcare provider.
What causes warts?
Certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) cause warts. The virus can enter your skin through small cuts and cause extra cell growth. The outer layer of your skin turns thicker and harder, forming a wart. Warts are more likely to infect moist and soft skin or injured skin.
All warts come from HPV, but not all forms of HPV cause warts. The type of HPV that can progress to cancer (like cervical cancer) doesn’t cause warts.
Are warts contagious?
Yes, warts are contagious because HPV is contagious.
Warts can spread through direct or indirect contact. Direct contact would be touching someone else’s wart or skin-to-skin contact. An example of indirect contact is using objects like towels or razors that have come into contact with a wart or HPV.
