HPV Warts - How Do You Know You Have Them?

When we talk about HPV warts, we’re talking about any of the small benign tumors caused by any one of the hundred or so human papillomavirus (hpv) viruses. 

They are generally harmless but can impact a person’s life negatively by marring his or her appearance and sometimes causing discomfort, pain, and even bleeding. They are highly contagious.

It is estimated that roughly 20 million men, women and children are infected by HPV viruses at any given time. Many of these people are not aware they are infected as they demonstrate no symptoms; they  display no warts anywhere on their body. All warts are HPV warts and are caused by one or another of the HPV viruses.

Children and younger people are more likely to display warts than adults.

The more common types often appear on fingers and hands.  Adults are more likely to become infected by genital warts and plantar warts. 

Genital warts account for about one third of all new sexually transmitted diseases. The virus is passed on through skin on skin contact, not through the exchange of bodily fluids, as some might think.

HPV warts are tenacious, often recurring.

The virus can be passed from one individual to another through sexual contact, without either partner being aware of it. The virus could remain dormant in the recipient, who then passes it on to a third person. 

Plantar warts appear on the weight-bearing parts of the feet, the soles and toes. Like all warts, they too are highly contagious and can be passed from one individual to another indirectly. Public areas with moist surfaces, such as public showers and swimming pool areas, are breeding grounds for these viruses. The plantar wart viruses can remain active on these surfaces for long periods of time.  Never walk barefoot in these public areas.

How do you know if you have HPV warts?

By sight and texture, primarily. Surprisingly, people will often mistake cancerous moles, calluses or corns for warts. Warts are small cauliflower-like bumps that can appear anywhere on your body. They have a rough surface, even borders, and can be flattened or bumpy. Tiny blackened marks from  surface capillaries may be visible.

One thing that distinguishes warts from corns or calluses is the absence of regular skin lines across the wart’s surface; there is no continuation of the normal skin line pattern. HPV warts can occur singly or grouped together in what’s known as a mosaic wart pattern.  They can range in color from pale pink to grayish or any variation of regular human skin color.  Warts are shallow growths, lacking roots that run down to the bone.

About half of all warts go away on their own after a couple of years, especially those that afflict young children. Others can persist for many years unless treated. Their propensity to pass on the HPV viruses and to infect others or spread to other parts of the body are good reasons to get rid of them.  

You can help to prevent their spread by practicing basic good skin care and avoiding contact with infected skin or potentially infected public surfaces like showers or swimming pools. Keeping one’s skin clean and healthy is imperative as healthy skin forms an effective barrier to infection. Damaged skin can create an opening for harmful bacteria and viruses.

Regardless of how careful you are, however, you may be predisposed or more vulnerable than average  to HPV warts. Fortunately, you can visit your doctor for treatment or discover how to remove warts yourself naturally.