When Your Child Has Warts
When Your Child Has Warts
Warts are small growths on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body and be any size. Warts are harmless. But they may bother your child if they appear on areas such as the face or hands. Warts can often be treated at home. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child have questions or concerns.
What causes warts?
Many warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus can spread between people. But you can be exposed to the virus and not get warts.
What are common types of warts?
Common (verruca) warts. These have a rough, bumpy look (like cauliflower). They often appear on the hands and other parts of the body.
Flat warts. These are raised, with smooth, flat tops. They often appear in clusters on the face and other parts of the body.
Plantar warts. These appear on the soles of the feet. They can be very painful.
Note: Your child may have dome-shaped bumps with dimples in the middle. These bumps may look like warts, but they are likely caused by a viral skin infection called molluscum contagiosum. They need different treatment than warts. Ask your child’s healthcare provider for more information about how to treat this condition if you think your child has it.
How are warts diagnosed?
Warts are diagnosed by how they look and by their location. To get more information, the healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. The healthcare provider will also examine your child. You will be told if any tests are needed. The healthcare provider will refer your child to a skin healthcare provider (dermatologist) or foot healthcare provider (podiatrist), if needed.
How are warts treated?
Warts generally go away on their own, but the amount of time varies and may range from weeks to years. Speak with the healthcare provider about options to treat warts. These can include:
Medicated creams. These can usually be bought over the counter or are prescribed by the healthcare provider. Use a pumice stone to remove dead skin above the wart before applying any medicine. A foot soak can also help soften the wart.
Special cushions. These can be applied to the wart to ease pressure and reduce pain.
Occlusive therapy. Duct tape may reduce the time it takes for a wart to go away. Duct tape should be placed over the wart as instructed by the healthcare provider.
Office procedures to remove a wart. These include surgery, removal by freezing (cryotherapy), or removal by burning (electrocautery).
It’s important to remember that even after treatment, it may take about 4 weeks to see results.
Call the healthcare provider
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:
A wart that doesn’t respond to treatment
A plantar wart that causes ankle, foot, or leg pain
Signs of infection around a wart (pus, drainage, or bleeding)
Updated:
October 10, 2017
Sources:
Cutaneous Warts. UpToDate
Reviewed By:
Bass, Pat F. III, MD, MPH,Image reviewed by StayWell medical illustration team.,Moskowitz, Richard, MD