If you have been suffering from an outbreak of warts or you know someone else who is a sufferer, you may be wondering what they are and what causes them.
Warts are in fact non-malignant growths on the skin which develop as a result of a virus that can be contracted into the skin.
The virus remains in the first layer of skin and then it eventually erupts into the growths that are visibly evident later on.
The warts can grow in almost any area of the body and will look quite different, depending on where it is growing.
Most warts are flesh colored and rough in texture.
Alternatively they can be darker in appearance and flush to the surface of the skin.
Warts also come in different varieties.
Most people develop what are known as common warts.
These develop on harder skin which can exist for example in the vicinity of your finger nails and on the hands.
You are more likely to catch the virus if you have cuts or scrapes in the skin or if you have cracked skin that has been picked or bitten.
Plantar warts appear on the bottom of the feet and they are quite different.
They usually grow in groups and can also for this reason be called mosaic warts.
Plantar warts are flat but can become swollen due the friction caused by walking and the pressure that is placed upon them.
They are pale in color with dark specs of color visible in the center.
These dots are blood vessels which are the wart's blood supply.
Flat warts are another type that can be found in larger numbers, usually on the face.
They are often seen on children or on men around the area of the beard.
On ladies they appear on the legs or anywhere that is shaved.
This is because shaving causes the virus to spread.
So now you know what they are and how they are caused you can hopefully take steps to prevent them or now look at potential treatments if you are already suffering from an outbreak.