Warts are common benign skin growths caused by a viral infection of the skin. Although they are usually harmless, they can sometimes be persistent, uncomfortable, and cosmetically bothersome.
While some warts will eventually resolve without treatment, others can remain for months or even years, and may spread to other areas of the body. Many patients seek professional treatment when home remedies have been unsuccessful or when the wart begins to affect confidence, comfort, or everyday activities.
Although many warts are straightforward to recognise, not every skin lesion is a wart. Certain benign skin growths, and occasionally more significant skin conditions, can sometimes resemble warts. For this reason, professional assessment is particularly important if a lesion is changing, bleeding, painful, growing rapidly, or not responding to treatment.
At Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics, wart assessment and treatment is provided by Dr Alex Crawford, our Dermatologist, who can accurately diagnose skin lesions and recommend the most appropriate treatment options based on the type, size, and location of the lesion.
Understanding Warts
Warts develop when the skin becomes infected with certain strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The virus causes an overproduction of keratin within the skin, resulting in the rough, raised growths commonly recognised as warts.
They can occur almost anywhere on the body but are most commonly seen on the hands, fingers, feet, knees, and around the nails.
Although warts are not usually dangerous, they can spread through direct skin contact or contact with contaminated surfaces such as swimming pool areas, changing rooms, and gym floors.
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ROUGH OR RAISED SKIN GROWTHS
Warts often appear as small raised bumps with a rough or uneven surface. -
THICKENED OR HARDENED SKIN
Some warts, particularly those on the feet, can become thickened and uncomfortable due to pressure and friction. -
SMALL BLACK DOTS
Tiny black dots may sometimes be visible within the wart. These are small blood vessels that have become trapped within the lesion. -
PAIN OR TENDERNESS
Warts located on weight-bearing areas such as the soles of the feet can become painful when walking or standing. -
PERSISTENT OR SPREADING LESIONS
While some warts resolve naturally, others may persist for long periods or spread to surrounding skin.