Warts, or verrucae, are benign, semi-contagious growths of the outer layer of the skin.

They are caused by viruses and tend to occur on the hands, arms, face, upper trunk, legs, feet and in genital area. The most common types include, fittingly, common warts, as well as plantar and genital warts.They are generally more common in children and young adults than in older people.

Appearance, size and the location of warts can vary. Most are less the one-half centimetre in diameter and may be flat or raised, dry or moist. Usually they have a rough, pitted surface, either flesh coloured or darker than the surrounding skin.

They tend to develop on the exposed areas of the skin and may be single or multiple and tend to occur on areas of repetitive friction. When they occur on especially vulnerable areas, such as the knee or elbow, they can become irritated and tender.

Plantar warts are flat warts that occur commonly on the soles of the feet. They can become irritated and tender due to the repetitive motion of walking. A butcher’s wart occurs on the hands and arms of meat cutters.

Warts can also occur in the nostrils and can obstruct breathing by blocking the air passage. Laryngeal warts occur........

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