{"id":297,"date":"2025-08-15T11:59:51","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T11:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/?p=297"},"modified":"2025-08-15T12:04:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T12:04:04","slug":"warts-101-types-causes-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/warts-101-types-causes-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Warts 101: Types, Causes, and Treatment Options Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"565\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wart.png\" alt=\"wart on a finger\" class=\"wp-image-300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wart.png 565w, https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wart-300x198.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 565px) 100vw, 565px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2>Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Key Points\">Key Points<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#What Causes Warts? Understanding the Root of the Problem\">What Causes Warts? Understanding the Root of the Problem<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Types of Warts: Identifying Different Varieties\">Types of Warts: Identifying Different Varieties<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Risk Factors and Transmission\">Risk Factors and Transmission<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Wart Prevention Strategies\">Wart Prevention Strategies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Treatment Options: From Home Remedies to Professional Care\">Treatment Options: From Home Remedies to Professional Care<\/a><a name=\"Key Points\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#When to See a Dermatologist\">When to See a Dermatologist<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Schedule Wart Treatment With a Greenville Dermatologist Today\">Schedule Wart Treatment With a Greenville Dermatologist Today<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#References\">References<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h2>Key Points<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Warts are one of the most common skin conditions throughout the world.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>While not life-threatening, warts can be a major nuisance, and are often extremely difficult to eliminate.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Having a better understanding of what warts are, the different types, and available treatment approaches will help patients better determine the best course forward.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr style=\"border-top: 1px solid #ccc; background: transparent;\" \/>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warts are among the most common skin conditions, affecting approximately <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/15045-warts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 percent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the world&#8217;s population.<sup>1<\/sup> These small, often unsightly growths can appear anywhere on the body, with many people experiencing their first wart on a finger or other areas of the hand during childhood or adolescence. While generally harmless, warts can be bothersome, embarrassing, and sometimes painful, leading many to seek treatment from a qualified dermatologist.<a name=\"What Causes Warts? Understanding the Root of the Problem\"><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are dealing with a persistent foot or hand wart, or any other type of skin growth, understanding the basics about the condition can help you make informed decisions about treatment and prevention. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about these common skin lesions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Causes Warts? Understanding the Root of the Problem<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A wart is a small, typically raised growth on the skin caused by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK448132\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">human papillomavirus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (HPV).<sup>2<\/sup> These benign tumors develop when HPV infects the top layer of skin, usually through small cuts or breaks in the skin&#8217;s surface. The virus causes rapid cell growth, resulting in the characteristic rough, bumpy texture that most people associate with warts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite common misconceptions, warts are not caused by touching frogs or toads. <a name=\"Risk Factors and Transmission\"><\/a>They are purely viral infections that spread through direct contact with the virus. Also note that HPV strains that cause warts are distinct from those associated with cervical cancer and other serious health conditions, making skin warts generally harmless (from a medical standpoint).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Risk Factors and Transmission<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How likely someone is to get warts requires an understanding of how the human papillomavirus infects the skin. As mentioned, the primary cause of all warts is infection with HPV, but several factors influence whether someone will develop warts after exposure to the virus. The main ones include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct contact with HPV through contaminated surfaces or infected individuals\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakened immune system due to illness, stress, or certain medications\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent exposure to moist environments like swimming pools or locker rooms\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having cuts, scrapes, or other breaks in the skin that provide entry points\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sharing personal items like towels, razors, or nail files with infected individuals\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having eczema or other skin conditions that compromise the skin barrier\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working in environments where hands are frequently wet or damaged\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nail biting or picking at hangnails, which can create pathways for viral infection\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walking barefoot in public areas where the virus may be present\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age\u2014children and teenagers are more susceptible than adults<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HPV thrives in warm, moist environments, which explains why communal areas like gym showers and swimming pools are common places for transmission. <a name=\"Types of Warts: Identifying Different Varieties\"><\/a>Once exposed to HPV, it can take weeks or even months for a visible wart to develop. The incubation period varies significantly between individuals, with some people showing symptoms within weeks while others may not develop warts for several months after initial exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Types of Warts: Identifying Different Varieties<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279586\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">various types of warts<\/a> can help you identify what you are dealing with and determine the most appropriate treatment approach.<sup>3<\/sup> Each type has distinct characteristics and tends to appear in specific areas of the body.<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-305\" src=\"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wart-painful-246x300.png\" alt=\"wart stock image\" width=\"246\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wart-painful-246x300.png 246w, https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wart-painful.png 412w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 246px) 100vw, 246px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Common Warts (Verruca Vulgaris)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the name suggests, common warts are the most frequently encountered type and typically appear as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rough, raised bumps with a cauliflower-like surface\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gray, brown, or flesh-colored growths\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Small black dots in the center (these are tiny blood vessels, not &#8220;seeds&#8221;)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most commonly found on fingers, hands, knees, and elbows<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A wart on finger surfaces is particularly common because hands frequently come into contact with environments that may harbor the virus. These warts can be especially bothersome since they are highly visible and may interfere with daily activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Plantar Warts<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plantar warts develop on the soles of the feet and have unique characteristics. These include:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flat appearance due to pressure from walking\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Painful when pressure is applied\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May appear as a single wart or in clusters called &#8220;mosaic warts&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often mistaken for calluses but can be distinguished by their rough texture and black dots\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can make walking uncomfortable or painful<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Flat Warts (Plane Warts)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flat warts are smaller and smoother than other types. Characteristics include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Small, slightly raised, smooth-topped lesions\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually appear in groups of 20 to 100\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common on the face, neck, hands, and legs\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More prevalent in children and young adults\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often spread through shaving or scratching<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Filiform Warts<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These distinctive warts have a unique appearance:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long, narrow projections that look like tiny fingers\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically appear on the face, particularly around the mouth, nose, and eyes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast-growing and can be particularly bothersome due to their location\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More common in older adults\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May cause irritation when shaving<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Periungual Warts<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These warts appear around the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/skin-disorders\/periungual-warts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fingernails and toenails<\/a>:<sup>4<\/sup>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rough, irregular growths around nail beds\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can cause nail deformities if left untreated\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often painful and difficult to treat<a name=\"Wart Prevention Strategies\"><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May result from nail biting or cuticle picking\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can affect nail growth and appearance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Wart Prevention Strategies<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding what causes warts helps in developing effective prevention strategies. While it is impossible to completely prevent wart infections, several approaches can significantly reduce your risk:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Effective Prevention Methods:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep hands clean and dry, washing frequently with soap and water\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid touching or picking at warts on yourself or others\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not share personal items like towels, razors, or nail clippers\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wear shoes or sandals in public areas like pools, locker rooms, and showers\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep feet dry and change socks regularly, especially after exercise\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid biting nails or picking at cuticles, which creates entry points for HPV\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cover cuts and scrapes with bandages until they heal completely\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintain a healthy immune system through proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep<a name=\"Treatment Options: From Home Remedies to Professional Care\"><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid walking barefoot in areas where others go barefoot\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use your own nail care tools and avoid sharing with others<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Treatment Options: From Home Remedies to Professional Care<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, many treatment options are available to eliminate warts, ranging from over-the-counter solutions to professional medical interventions. The choice of treatment often depends on the type of wart, its location, size, and how long it has been present.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Over-the-Counter Treatments<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people successfully treat warts at home using readily available products. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Salicylic Acid:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Available as gels, pads, or liquid solutions\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work by gradually dissolving the wart tissue layer by layer\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Require consistent daily application for several weeks or months\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most effective on common warts and plantar warts\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should be used according to package directions to avoid skin irritation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Require patience, as results may take 6-12 weeks, or longer<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Cryotherapy Kits:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over-the-counter freezing treatments using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/compound\/Dimethyl-Ether\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dimethyl ether<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><sup>5<\/sup>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work by freezing the wart tissue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can be <em>more<\/em> effective than over-the-counter salicylic acid treatments, but still requires multiple applications over many weeks\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less effective than professional cryotherapy\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can cause temporary pain and blistering\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work best on smaller, newer warts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Professional Medical Treatments<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When over-the-counter options fail on particularly stubborn warts, or for faster removal, professional treatment is the route to take. There are many approaches <a href=\"https:\/\/www.robertmrogersmd.com\/about\/\">your dermatologist<\/a> may decide upon, but these are the most common:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Professional Cryotherapy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liquid nitrogen application to freeze and destroy wart tissue\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually requires multiple treatments spaced two to four weeks apart\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More effective than over-the-counter freezing products\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Success rates range from 50 to 70 percent, depending on wart type and location\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May cause temporary pain and blister formation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can cause temporary skin discoloration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Surgical Removal:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical removal of the wart through cutting or scraping\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually performed under local anesthesia\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May leave a scar, especially on visible areas\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reserved for large or particularly resistant warts\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quick procedure, but requires proper wound care afterward\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High success rate, but invasive nature makes it a last resort<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Immunotherapy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatments designed to stimulate the immune system to fight the virus\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May include topical medications like <a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/druginfo\/meds\/a698010.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">imiquimod cream<\/a><sup>6<\/sup>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Injection of antigens to boost the immune response to HPV\u00a0<a name=\"When to See a Dermatologist\"><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Useful for multiple warts or treatment-resistant cases\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can be effective when other treatments have failed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>When to See a Dermatologist<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While many warts can be successfully treated at home, certain situations warrant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.robertmrogersmd.com\/services\/\">professional medical attention<\/a>. Consider scheduling an appointment with your Greenville dermatologist if you experience any of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warts that are painful, bleeding, or showing signs of infection\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multiple warts or warts that continue to spread despite treatment\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warts on the face or genital area<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warts that interfere with daily activities or cause significant embarrassment\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncertainty about whether a growth is actually a wart or another skin condition\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have warts <em>and<\/em> a compromised immune system<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of improvement after several months of consistent home treatment\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warts that change in appearance, color, or size rapidly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A qualified dermatologist can provide an accurate diagnosis, discuss treatment options, and create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific situation. They can also help distinguish warts from other skin conditions like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/a-z\/seborrheic-keratoses-overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seborrheic keratoses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, skin tags, or even skin cancers that may appear similar.<sup>7<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind that, even with professional treatment, complete removal of warts may take multiple treatment cycles. <a name=\"Schedule Wart Treatment With a Greenville Dermatologist Today\"><\/a>Also, recurrence rates vary but can be as high as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/emedicine.medscape.com\/article\/219110-treatment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 to 30 percent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in some cases.<sup>8<\/sup>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Schedule Wart Treatment With a Greenville Dermatologist Today<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding warts, their causes, and available treatment options empowers patients to make informed decisions about managing these common skin growths.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re dealing with a stubborn hand wart, a painful plantar wart, or multiple warts that won&#8217;t respond to over-the-counter treatments, remember that effective solutions are available. The various types of warts each respond differently to treatment, and what works for one person may not work for another.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Rogers Dermatology, our team leverages decades of experience diagnosing and treating warts, to get the best results for each patient. <a name=\"References\"><\/a>We can recommend a plan of attack based on your unique circumstances and goals, balancing a suitable level of invasiveness with efficient, effective elimination of warts. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.robertmrogersmd.com\/contact\/\">Contact our office today<\/a> to set up an appointment. <\/span><\/p>\n<hr style=\"border-top: 1px solid #ccc; background: transparent;\" \/>\n<h2>References<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWarts,\u201d Cleveland Clinic, February 2024, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/15045-warts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/15045-warts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/li>\n<li>Lynette Luria and Gabriella Cardoza-Favarato, \u201cHuman Papillomavirus,\u201d National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, January 2023, <a style=\"font-size: revert;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK448132\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK448132\/<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Overview: Warts,&#8221; Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, January 2023, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279586\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK279586\/<\/a>. \u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Marjorie Hecht, &#8220;Everything You Should Know About Periungual Warts,&#8221; Healthline.com, May 2023, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/skin-disorders\/periungual-warts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/skin-disorders\/periungual-warts<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDimethyl Ether,\u201d National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, August 2025, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/compound\/Dimethyl-Ether\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/compound\/Dimethyl-Ether<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Imiquimod Topical,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MedlinePlus.gov<\/a>, April 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/druginfo\/meds\/a698010.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/druginfo\/meds\/a698010.html<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSeborrheic Keratosis: Overview,\u201d American Academy of Dermatology Association, retrieved on August 4, 2025, from: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/a-z\/seborrheic-keratoses-overview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/a-z\/seborrheic-keratoses-overview<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cVinod K. Dhawan, MD, \u201cHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) Treatment &amp; Management,\u201d <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/medscape.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medscape.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, August 2024, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/emedicine.medscape.com\/article\/219110-treatment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/emedicine.medscape.com\/article\/219110-treatment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Rogers explains rosacea symptoms, triggers. and ways to combat the condition. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=297"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":345,"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297\/revisions\/345"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertmrogersmd.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}