What You Should Know About Common Warts

A mans hand with a wart on the right side of the ring finger

No one wants to have warts on their skin. Even the word “wart” itself comes with negative connotations. It goes beyond just the normal definition and extends into any negative trait that a person can have. When you hear about a flawed person, you hear about their “warts.”

If you have a wart on your skin, there’s a good chance it’s not actually much of a medical emergency, but it can be an annoyance and burden, nonetheless. Here’s what you should know about the common wart:

Where They Come From

Warts are a small, tough, benign growth on your skin that are generally caused by a virus and transmitted by touch. It can be difficult to nail down exactly what has caused a specific wart, as they may not show up until months after you are infected. They tend to form most often on your fingers and hands and will be rough to the touch. You may notice some tiny black dots, which are small blood vessels.

What to Do About Warts

Most warts will disappear on their own over time. They tend to be temporary and not actually cause much harm. However, there are certain situations where you should involve a medical professional. For example, if you’ve tried to treat the wart in some way, but it doesn’t go away or even spreads or comes back after being gone, you should see a doctor. Other situations that may be a cause for concern include if the growth is painful or changes in appearance, if the wart begins to interfere with your life, you’re no longer sure if the growth is actually a wart, or if numerous warts start to appear, indicating that there’s an issue with your immune system.

Removing a Wart

As stated above, most warts will disappear over time. Since they’re mostly benign, there’s no reason they have to be removed unless you want them to. Many people do choose to have them removed as they feel self-conscious about them.

If you’re planning to have a wart removed, Dr. Kirit Kothari can remove any and all skin lesions, benign or otherwise in the areas of Allentown, Bethlehem, and East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Call (570) 420-6000 to schedule an appointment!

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