Chapter 3 — The Different Types of Warts You May Notice

Not all warts look the same.

The common wart is perhaps the variety people recognize most easily. It usually has a firm, rough surface and commonly develops on the fingers, hands, or around the nails. Some common warts are rounded, while others have an irregular appearance.

Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet. They can be particularly uncomfortable because walking puts pressure directly on them. Instead of forming a prominent outward bump, they can appear flattened or pushed into the skin.

One clue that may help distinguish a plantar wart from a simple callus is the presence of tiny dark dots and interruption of the normal skin lines. However, visual inspection alone cannot always establish a diagnosis.

Flat warts tend to be smoother and flatter than common warts. They may appear on the face, arms, hands, or legs and can sometimes occur in groups.

There are also periungual warts, which develop around or beneath the fingernails and toenails. These can be particularly troublesome because they may interfere with nail growth and can be difficult to treat.

The appearance of a wart can also change depending on how long it has been present, where it is located, and whether it has been repeatedly irritated.

One common mistake is attempting to cut or burn a suspected wart at home with inappropriate tools. This can cause bleeding, infection, scarring, and potentially spread the virus to surrounding skin.

Over-the-counter wart treatments containing salicylic acid are commonly used for certain types of ordinary warts. They work by gradually removing layers of affected skin. Treatment often requires patience because warts rarely disappear overnight.

Dermatologists can also use treatments such as cryotherapy, in which the wart is frozen, or other approaches depending on its location and characteristics.

The appropriate treatment depends on the specific lesion. A wart on the sole of the foot may require a different approach from one near the eye or underneath a fingernail.

Image 3 — Suggested placement:

Realistic clinical photograph of a European male dermatologist examining a patient's hand with a magnifying instrument, patient seated in a modern dermatology clinic, natural professional environment, no visible brand names, no text, no logos, no watermark.

Chapter 4 — When Should a Wart Be Checked by a Doctor?

Most ordinary warts are benign, but there are situations in which a skin growth should not simply be ignored.