Viral warts
Viral warts are small, harmless skin growths caused by a common virus that invades the top layer of your skin.
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Find General PhysiciansClinical Overview
Viral warts are bumps on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. These viruses are very common and can cause skin cells to grow faster than normal, leading to a thickened, bumpy, or rough surface. They are not cancerous and are generally harmless.
They most often appear on the hands, feet, or face, but they can grow anywhere on the body. You catch them through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching an object that someone with a wart has touched. Because they are caused by a virus, it is perfectly normal for them to appear, and they are nothing to feel embarrassed about.
Common Symptoms
- Small, grainy, flesh-colored, white, pink, or tan bumps on the skin.
- A rough surface that feels like sandpaper to the touch.
- Tiny black dots on the surface of the bump, which are actually small, clotted blood vessels.
- In the case of foot warts, a feeling like you are walking on a pebble or a hard lump.
