Warts are common skin infections. They can affect any area of the body, but tend to happen on the fingers, hands, elbows, and bottom of the feet. Warts usually don't cause serious problems, so they may not need to be removed.
There are several types of warts, including common warts, flat warts, and plantar warts. They can be flesh-colored, or lighter or darker than the skin that surrounds them. Sometimes they have tiny black dots in them.
Without treatment, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years for a wart to go away. Ask your doctor to recommend wart removal treatments.
Most warts can be handled at home. Here's how:
It's not always possible to prevent warts. But it's always a good idea to teach kids to wash their hands and skin often. If your child has a cut or scratch, use soap and water to clean the area because open wounds are more likely to develop warts and other infections. If a wart develops, make sure your child doesn't scratch the area.
Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date Reviewed: Feb 10, 2023
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