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Warts

Common warts are benign, rough skin bumps caused by skin types of human papillomavirus, mainly on hands and feet. They often disappear on their own; treat them only if troublesome, and have a bleeding, rapidly changing, dark, painful or uncertain area assessed before using a wart treatment.

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Common warts are benign, rough skin bumps caused by skin types of human papillomavirus, mainly on hands and feet. They often disappear on their own; treat them only if troublesome, and have a bleeding, rapidly changing, dark, painful or uncertain area assessed before using a wart treatment.

  • A firm, rough, skin-coloured, grey or brown bump with interrupted skin lines.
  • Black or red dots from small clotted blood vessels, particularly after soaking or filing.
  • Only treat an area that a doctor or pharmacist is reasonably sure is an ordinary hand or foot wart.
  • Protect healthy skin around salicylic acid, follow the product strength and duration instructions, and stop before bleeding or deep pain develops.
  • Make an appointment if you are unsure whether an area is a wart, corn, pigmented patch or skin tumour.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

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Further reading

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W
Warts in childrenWarts are common in children and usually disappear on their own as the immune system clears skin HPV. Treat only for pain or clear difficulties, avoid unnecessarily painful or aggressive methods, and have uncertain, bleeding, rapidly growing or anogenital areas assessed carefully.
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Seborrhoeic keratosisA seborrhoeic keratosis is a common, benign skin growth that looks stuck onto the skin. Treatment is usually unnecessary, but a new, bleeding or changing lesion must be assessed.
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Ganglion cystA ganglion cyst is a benign swelling filled with jelly-like fluid near a joint or tendon sheath. It often occurs on the hand or wrist and may grow or shrink. Many ganglion cysts disappear on their own. Have a new or changing lump assessed if the diagnosis is uncertain, especially with pain, redness, rapid growth, tingling or loss of strength.