Viral Warts: Small Bumps, Big Questions! Causes, Spread & Treatment with Prof. Dr. Tahir Kamal

A small bump on the skin can raise many questions. Is it a wart? Can it spread to other people? Does it need treatment, and why does it sometimes return?

In this educational vlog, Prof. Dr. Tahir Kamal, Consultant Dermatologist, Dermatosurgeon & Aesthetic Physician, explores the common questions surrounding viral warts, explains misconceptions, and discusses the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Whether you are looking for general information or seeking guidance about a persistent skin growth, understanding viral warts is a useful first step towards informed skin care.

Understanding Viral Warts

Viral warts are skin growths caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus can enter through tiny breaks in the skin, including those too small to notice. Warts may take several months to become visible after infection.

Having a wart does not necessarily mean that someone has poor hygiene. These infections are common, and exposure does not always lead to a visible wart.

Do All Warts Look the Same?

Warts can differ in appearance depending on their type and location:

·         Common warts: Usually rough, raised growths, often found on the fingers and hands.

·         Plantar warts: Develop on the soles of the feet and may cause discomfort when standing or walking.

·         Flat warts: Smaller, smoother growths that may appear in groups, including on the face or legs.

·         Filiform warts: Narrow, finger-like projections, commonly seen around the face.

Not every raised skin lesion is a viral wart. A professional examination helps establish the diagnosis before treatment begins.

How Do Viral Warts Spread?

The virus can spread through direct contact with a wart or through contaminated objects and surfaces. It can also move from one area of a person’s body to another.

Picking, scratching, nail biting, and shaving over affected skin can encourage spread by causing small injuries and transferring the virus. People with weakened immune systems may develop more extensive or persistent warts.

Why Is Proper Diagnosis Important?

A dermatologist can usually identify a wart through examination. An unusual growth—particularly one that changes rapidly, develops an open sore, or fails to respond to treatment—may require further investigation or a small skin biopsy.

Seek assessment if a suspected wart bleeds, causes pain, changes in appearance, or occurs on the face or genital area. People with diabetes or weakened immunity should obtain medical guidance before attempting treatment.

Treatment Options for Viral Warts

Some warts disappear without treatment, although this may take months or years. Treatment may be considered when lesions persist, spread, cause discomfort, or become bothersome.

Depending on the assessment, options may include:

·         Topical salicylic acid: Gradually removes affected skin layers in suitable non-genital warts.

·         Cryotherapy: Freezes the wart and may require several sessions.

·         Electrosurgery and curettage: Removes selected lesions using a procedure performed under local anaesthesia.

Treatment can cause irritation, discomfort, blistering, pigment changes, or scarring, depending on the method. Follow-up and aftercare are important.

Can Everyday Precautions Help Reduce Spread?

Simple habits can help reduce the risk of transferring the virus:

·         Avoid picking or scratching warts.

·         Wash your hands after touching an affected area.

·         Avoid shaving directly over a wart.

·         Keep towels, razors, nail clippers, and similar personal items separate.

·         Wear footwear in communal showers and around swimming pools.

·         Keep skin healthy and protect cuts or cracks.

These precautions reduce risk but cannot guarantee that new warts will not develop.

Watch the Complete Vlog

Join Prof. Dr. Tahir Kamal for a clear discussion about viral warts, their causes, how they spread, treatment