{"id":25455,"date":"2026-06-26T17:29:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/?p=25455"},"modified":"2026-07-05T16:12:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T16:12:10","slug":"viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Viral Warts: Types, Causes and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Viral warts are small, rough skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They most often occur in children and adults. Typically, benign, they may also be spread to other parts of the body or to other persons by touch. Getting acquainted with different types of warts, as well as knowing how to prevent, control, and reduce the risk of infection and reinfection can significantly contribute towards <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/warts.html\"><strong><u><b>shrinking the threat of warts<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#What_Are_Viral_Warts\" >What Are Viral Warts?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#Different_Types_of_Viral_Warts\" >Different Types of Viral Warts<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#Common_Warts\" >Common Warts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#Plantar_Warts\" >Plantar Warts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#Flat_Warts\" >Flat Warts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#What_Causes_Viral_Warts\" >What Causes Viral Warts?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#How_to_Prevent_Warts\" >How to Prevent Warts?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#When_Should_You_Go_to_a_Dermatologist\" >When Should You Go to a Dermatologist?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#Q_Are_viral_warts_contagious\" >Q: Are viral warts contagious?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#Q_Do_home_remedies_for_warts_really_get_rid_of_them_forever\" >Q: Do home remedies for warts really get rid of them forever?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#Q_Which_is_the_best_viral_wart_treatment\" >Q: Which is the best viral wart treatment?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/viral-warts-explained-types-causes-prevention\/#Q_How_do_I_avoid_viral_warts_from_recurring\" >Q: How do I avoid viral warts from recurring?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Viral_Warts\"><\/span><strong>What Are Viral Warts?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>How do viral warts develop? According to some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/\"><strong><u><b>best skin doctors in Delhi<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a>, HPV enters when you have micro-cuts and abrasions on that part of your skin. The virus prompts the outer layer of skin to reproduce at an abnormal rate causing a raised bump to form. They can develop in the hands, feet, face, or other parts of the body.<\/p>\n<p>Those with a less active immune system or repeat trauma to an area of skin are more prone to warts. Walking barefoot in public, sharing items with others, and biting your nails are also risk factors for warts.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Different_Types_of_Viral_Warts\"><\/span><strong>Different Types of Viral Warts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Viral warts come in different types and will appear differently on the body.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Warts\"><\/span><strong>Common Warts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As a general rule, common warts (also called <a href=\"%3ca%20href=%22https:\/www.pathologyoutlines.com\/topic\/skinnontumorwarts.html%22%20rel=%22nofollow%22%3everruca%20vulgaris%3c\/a\"><strong><u><b>verruca vulgaris<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a>) tend to develop on the fingers and hands or elbows and knees. They are bumpy, grainy, and may be speckled with little black dots, which is clotted blood vessels. These are the most commonly seen types of warts.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plantar_Warts\"><\/span><strong>Plantar Warts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>On the soles of the feet, plantar warts develop. As body weight is sustained by areas on which they grow, this results in growing inward rather than outward. These warts can be painful when standing or walking, as if stepping on a small stone.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flat_Warts\"><\/span><strong>Flat Warts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Flat warts, in contrast to other kinds of warts, are small (around 1\/4 inch) and smooth. They occur mostly in multiples on the face, neck, hands, or legs. As a result, the virus is able to enter via small cuts that are more common in children and adolescents, so these warts commonly develop in this age group.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Causes_Viral_Warts\"><\/span><strong>What Causes Viral Warts?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A very common question is what causes viral warts. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/\"><strong><u><b>best dermatologists in Delhi<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a><strong><b>,<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0viral warts are mainly caused by infection with some strains of HPV. It is transmitted via direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated objects and surfaces.<\/p>\n<p>Common risk factors include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Going barefoot in public areas like the shower or swimming pool<\/li>\n<li>Sharing any towel, razor, or nail tools<\/li>\n<li>Picking or scratching existing warts<\/li>\n<li>Having cuts, dry skin, or compromised immunity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keep in mind that HPV does not cause warts in everyone. Whether the virus produces skin growths, called warts, or not is largely a function of the body&#8217;s immune response.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Prevent_Warts\"><\/span><strong>How to Prevent Warts?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Understanding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/warts.html\"><strong><u><b>how to prevent warts<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0can decrease the risk of getting warts and also of passing the infection on to someone else.<\/p>\n<p>Simple preventive measures include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Wash your hands regularly.<\/li>\n<li>Keep your skin clean, as well as dry.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid sharing personal items.<\/li>\n<li>Flip-flops by public locker rooms and pools.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid picking, cutting, or scratching existing warts.<\/li>\n<li>If warts are present, cover them with a bandage and avoid touching.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The best method to minimize the appearance of new infections remains skin care and personal hygiene.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Should_You_Go_to_a_Dermatologist\"><\/span><strong>When Should You Go to a Dermatologist?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>See a doctor if a wart bleeds, changes color, grows rapidly, hurts, or does not go away after treatment. Since these skin growths are quite similar in appearance to other skin conditions, early diagnosis will also help rule out their causes.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A widespread infectious disease that can affect humans of all ages, HPV is a form of the human papillomavirus that produces warts and lesions in mammals. Understanding the primary types of warts helps ensure you recognize them early, when they&#8217;re easier to treat. Halting warts from impurity requires not only cleanliness but is aptly handled with early viral wart treatment plus use of a potent anti-wart cream that evacuates the virus. Warts can be treated with home remedies, but for intolerable or more serious cases you should see your doctor.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span><strong>FAQs<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Are_viral_warts_contagious\"><\/span><strong>Q: Are viral warts contagious?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Yes. This contagious skin infection is unknown to many as it passes from body-to-body contact, either directly or indirectly via razors, towels, and gym equipment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q: What distinguishes plantar warts from common warts?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Common warts are typically seen on hands and fingers, whereas plantar warts develop on the bottom of the foot and hurt.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Do_home_remedies_for_warts_really_get_rid_of_them_forever\"><\/span><strong>Q: Do home remedies for warts really get rid of them forever?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Home remedies to remove warts may work with the small ones, but it does not eliminate virus. If warts do not go away or are painful, consult a dermatologist.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Which_is_the_best_viral_wart_treatment\"><\/span><strong>Q: Which is the best viral wart treatment?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0The viral wart treatment that works will depend on the type, size, &amp; site of the warts. Dermatologists advise salicylic acid, cryotherapy, laser therapy, or surgical removal as necessary.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_How_do_I_avoid_viral_warts_from_recurring\"><\/span><strong>Q: How do I avoid viral warts from recurring?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0You can prevent virus recurrence by not touching or coming into contact with existing warts, not sharing personal items that come into contact with skin.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Viral warts are small, rough skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They most often occur in children and adults. Typically, benign, they may also be spread to other parts of the body or to other persons by touch. Getting acquainted with different types of warts, as well as knowing how to prevent, control, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25457,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[111],"class_list":["post-25455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-warts","tag-viral-warts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25455"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25490,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25455\/revisions\/25490"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}