Understanding Warts: Causes, Types & Treatment Options

Warts are one of the most common skin concerns we treat, and while they’re harmless, they can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, and surprisingly stubborn. The good news? Dermatologists have highly effective treatments that can safely remove warts and reduce the chance of them coming back.

What Exactly Are Warts?

Warts are small, rough, skin-colored bumps caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus enters the skin through tiny breaks and triggers rapid skin-cell growth, forming a wart. Anyone can get warts, but they’re especially common in:

Children and teens
People who bite their nails or pick at their cuticles
Individuals with weakened immune systems
Swimmers, athletes, and anyone frequently barefoot in shared spaces

Warts are contagious—both person-to-person and self-spread by touching, scratching, or shaving over them.

Common Types of Warts

Warts can appear anywhere on the body. The most common types include:

Common Warts

Usually found on the hands and fingers. These feel rough and grainy and may have tiny black dots (“wart seeds”).

Plantar Warts

These develop on the bottoms of the feet. Because you stand and walk on them, plantar warts often grow inward and can feel like stepping on a pebble.

Flat Warts

Small, smooth bumps typically seen on the face, forehead, or legs. They tend to appear in clusters.

Filiform Warts

Long, thread-like growths near the eyelids, mouth, or nose.

Periungual Warts

These form around the fingernails or toenails and can cause nail changes if left untreated.

Why Do Warts Come Back?

Warts can be persistent because the virus lives in the skin and may reactivate. Without treatment, some resolve on their own—but it may take months or even years. Dermatologic treatment helps eliminate the virus-infected skin cells and reduce recurrence.

When to See a Dermatologist

Schedule an appointment if:

A wart becomes painful or bleeds
It spreads or multiplies
Over-the-counter treatments haven’t worked
You’re unsure whether the growth is a wart
The wart is on the face, genitals, or under a nail
You have diabetes or poor circulation

Dermatologists can confirm the diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan.

Treatment Options We Offer

Wart treatment may include:

Cryotherapy

Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the wart, destroying the HPV-infected cells. This is one of the most commonly used and effective treatments.

Topical Medications

Prescription-strength options such as salicylic acid, retinoids, or immunotherapy creams.

Electrosurgery or Curettage

The wart is removed using a small electrical current or surgical scraping.

Laser Therapy

Advanced lasers target and destroy wart tissue with minimal downtime.

Immunotherapy

Stimulates the body’s immune system to fight the virus.

Your provider will recommend the best approach based on your age, health, wart type, and previous treatment response.

Preventing Warts

You can lower your risk by:

Avoiding picking at warts
Wearing sandals in public showers or locker rooms
Not sharing nail clippers, razors, or towels
Covering cuts and scrapes
Keeping hands moisturized to prevent cracking
Avoiding biting nails or cuticles

Schedule Wart Treatment Today

If you or your child is dealing with stubborn or painful warts, our dermatology team is here to help. We offer safe, effective treatment options for all ages.

Contact Redwood Empire Dermatology to schedule an appointment in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, or Oakmont.