Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Warts in children

Warts 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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Warts 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.

  • Rough, firm bumps with interrupted skin lines on fingers, hands, knees or feet.
  • Black dots in a plantar wart and pain when walking or playing sport.
  • Explain that warts are common, usually not dangerous and do not mean someone is dirty.
  • Do not let the child cut, pick or bite warts, and keep nails short.
  • Make an appointment if you are unsure whether an area is a wart or if it grows quickly, bleeds spontaneously or ulcerates.
  • 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
WartsCommon 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.
G
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.
S
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.