Common Warts – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

What Are Common Warts?

Common warts are small bumps on the skin with a rough texture. They appear most often on hands and fingers. If you look closely, you might see tiny black dots in them. These dots are actually small blood vessels that have clotted.

Warts are caused by a virus. You can get them by touching someone who has warts or by touching surfaces with the virus. After exposure, warts take 2โ€“6 months to grow and become visible.

Warts don’t usually cause health problems and may go away on their own. Many people remove them because they feel self-conscious, find them annoying, or want to avoid spreading them to others.

Signs and Symptoms

Common warts appear as small bumps on the skin. They look fleshy and grainy, often showing up on hands and fingers.

When touched, these growths feel rough. You might notice tiny black spots in the warts, which are actually small blood vessels that have clotted.

When You Should Visit a Healthcare Provider

See a doctor if your warts cause pain, bleeding, or itching. Medical help is also needed when warts don’t go away after home treatment or keep coming back.

Seek care if the growths bother you or get in the way of daily activities. Visit a healthcare provider if you’re not sure whether a growth is a wart.

Medical attention is important if you have many warts or a weakened immune system. Warts on your face, feet, or genital area should always be checked by a doctor.

Causes

Common warts happen because of a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Over 100 types of HPV exist, but only a few lead to hand warts.

The virus spreads in several ways:

  • Through small breaks in skin, like cuts or hangnails
  • By touching shared items (towels, washcloths)
  • Via casual skin contact with infected people
  • From nail biting, which can spread warts around fingertips

Not everyone who comes into contact with HPV will develop warts. Your immune system’s response determines whether you develop warts after exposure to the virus.

Some HPV types spread through sexual contact, but those that cause common hand warts are usually transmitted through regular interactions and shared objects.

Risk Factors

Several groups face higher chances of getting common warts:

  • Children and teenagers
  • Individuals with weakened immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients
  • People who bite their nails or pick at hangnails

These factors can increase exposure to the virus that causes warts or reduce the body’s ability to fight off infection.

Preventing Warts

Warts have a high potential for spreading rapidly. But, several simple steps can help prevent them:

  • Avoid touching or picking at warts (yours or others’)
  • Use separate nail tools for healthy skin and warts
  • Use disposable emery boards when possible
  • Stop nail-biting and picking at hangnails
  • Take care when grooming areas with warts
  • Skip shared bathing facilities when possible
  • Don’t share personal items like washcloths or towels

Keeping your skin moisturized is also important. Apply hand moisturizer daily to prevent dry, cracked skin that can make you more vulnerable to wart viruses.


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Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.