Wart Removal at Midwest Express Clinic
Common Warts: Understanding the Basics
Common warts, also known as Verruca vulgaris, are skin growths caused by an infection in the top layer of the skin, typically resulting from human papillomavirus (HPV). It’s important to note that having common warts does not indicate the presence of the sexually-transmitted infection (STI) responsible for genital warts. HPV encompasses various strains, and common warts are usually spread through person-to-person contact or contact with contaminated objects like towels or gym equipment.
Recognizing Common Warts:
- Common warts often appear fleshy, grainy, and small.
- They can be white, pink, or tan in color.
- The texture is rough to the touch.
- They are usually raised above the skin’s surface and are mostly round.
- Common warts are typically painless unless located on the bottom of the foot, where they are known as plantar warts.
Plantar Warts: A Closer Look
Plantar warts differ from common warts in that they grow inward, creating hard and thick growths on the bottom of the foot or at the base of the toes. These warts are often contracted indirectly, such as by using communal showers without protective footwear or sharing shoes with others. In some cases, plantar warts may contain “black seeds,