Warts

What are warts?

Warts are growths that appear on the skin. While children are at an increased risk of developing these skin infections, teens and adults can also get them. 

Warts are rarely dangerous, but they are contagious. If your child has a growth that looks like a wart, early intervention is essential.

What do warts look like?

Warts look like grainy bumps and often take on a “cauliflower” appearance. Common warts, prevalent on the hands, elbows, knees, and feet, may also have small black specks. These are clotted blood vessels.

Other types of warts, such as plantar warts, may be less apparent. Plantar warts typically develop on the soles of the feet and may mimic the appearance of calluses. Many with plantar warts feel discomfort, as if they have a pebble stuck in their shoe.

What causes warts?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) directly causes warts. The virus enters the body through small breaks in the skin. It can infect the skin through a small cut or blister before forming a wart. While anybody can get warts, certain factors can increase the risk of developing them, including:

• Walking through a public locker room barefoot
• Walking around a public swimming pool without shoes
• Coming in close contact with another person who has warts
• Having a weakened immune system

Having sweaty feet can also increase the chances of warts.

Why are children prone to warts?

Children are more vulnerable to warts than adults because their immune systems are weaker. They are also more likely to have small cuts, injuries, or cracks in their skin. You can reduce your child’s risk of developing warts by:

• Ensuring they wash their hands regularly
• Making sure they wear clean socks
• Investing in shower shoes for public settings
• Treating cuts and cracks right away

The team at Pediatric Associates of Southwest Missouri may recommend additional tips if your child is at an increased risk of warts.

How are warts treated?

Many over-the-counter (OTC) solutions can help treat common warts, but most are less effective at addressing plantar warts. The two most popular wart treatments at Pediatric Associates of Southwest Missouri include:

Salicylic acid 

Prescription-strength salicylic acid is a topical treatment that removes the wart layer by layer until it’s no longer visible.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart. After about 7-14 days, the wart falls off.

Call Pediatric Associates of Southwest Missouri today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about warts.