Many of us have had a wart somewhere on our bodies at some time. Other than being a nuisance, most warts are harmless and usually go away on their own.

Warts are skin infections caused by viruses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. They can affect any area of the body, but tend to invade moist places, such as small cuts or scratches on the fingers, hands and feet. They can be contagious, but transmission from person to person is rare. Warts typically disappear after a few months, although some can last for years and can return.

Types of warts

A range of types have been identified, varying in shape, size and location:

    • Common warts – small, hard bumps that are dome-shaped and usually grayish-brown with a rough surface with black dots inside. Commonly found on fingers, hands, knees and elbows
    • Flat warts – smooth, flattened and about the size of a pinhead. Can be pink, light-brown or yellow, most commonly found on the face, neck, hands, wrists and knees. Can appear in clusters
    • Planter warts – found on the bottom of the foot. Can be very uncomfortable when walking
    • Filiform warts – finger-like shape, usually flesh-coloured and often grow around the mouth, eyes or nose
    • Periungual warts – cauliflower-like cluster of warts around or under the nails
    • Mosaic warts – a group of tightly clustered plantar-type warts, usually on the hands or soles of the feet
    • Genital warts – sexually transmitted warts that are found on the genitalia.

Non-medical treatment

Over the counter treatment for common warts has long been based upon the use of products containing salicylic acid. These are available as drops, gels, pads and plasters and are designed for application to warts of all sizes. Salicylic acid dissolves the protein which makes up most of the wart and the thick layer of dead skin that tops it.

Newer non-prescription wart treatments use aerosols to freeze warts, creating a blister between the wart and epidermal layer after which the wart and surrounding dead skin falls off.

It is also believed that warts can be treated by covering them with duct tape or other non-breathing tape, but there is little evidence that this treatment is effective.

Medical treatment

If over the counter treatment does not work or if you have genital warts, you have to contact your health provider or dermatologist to discuss prescription medicine or procedures.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about warts.