Do I Have Common Warts?

Do you have a small, grainy growth on your fingers or hands?

Are the growths on your hands the color of flesh-colored, white, pink or tan?

Do you have small bumps that are rough to the touch?

Do you have growths (lesions) that look like they have been sprinkled with black pinpoints?

Do you have weakened immune system due to a chronic illness?

Have you been in direct contact with a person who has common warts (have you touched the warts)?

Have you shared towels or bedding with a person who has common warts?

Did the growth on your hands appear 2 to 6 months after contact with the person who has common warts?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have common warts. Common warts are also called verruca vulgaris. They are small growths on the skin that usually occur on your fingers or hands. Common warts are rough to the touch and look as if they are sprinkled with black dots, which are actually clotted blood vessels. Common warts are one of the most common dermatological problems that will affect three out of four people at some point in life. They are completely harmless and self-limited (they will disappear on their own over time). However, they can be an aesthetic problem, and some people decide to remove them.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have common warts. Common warts are small grainy bumps on the skin of your hands or fingers. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus can be transmitted from one person to another by direct contact. It can take several months from exposure to the virus to the onset of symptoms. Depending on the immunity, people will react differently to the virus, so not every person who comes in contact with the virus needs to develop warts. A diagnosis is based on an examination of the wart and a biopsy.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have common warts. Common warts are a viral skin infection caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). It is an infectious condition that can be transmitted from one person to another through direct contact, or by sharing common items such as towels and rags. Common warts often occur in children, teenagers and people with pre-existing chronic conditions. The virus usually spreads through breaks and cracks in the skin. In people who bite their nails, warts can appear around the nails and on the fingertips. Treatment includes acid treatments, laser therapy, freezing of warts (cryotherapy) or minor surgery.