Viral Warts

Contact a dermatologist to confirm if you have viral warts.

Warts are skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin.

Appearance

Warts are often skin-colored and feel rough, but they can be dark (brown or gray-black), flat, and smooth.

Viruses that cause warts are called human papillomavirus (HPV). You are more likely to get one of these viruses if you cut or damage your skin in some way.

Wart viruses are contagious. Warts can spread by contact with the wart or something that touched the wart.

Treatment

Ask a dermatologist as they have many treatments for warts.

Warts often go away without treatment. This is especially true when children get warts.

In adults, warts may not disappear as easily or as quickly as they do in children. Although most warts are harmless, dermatologists do treat them.