Introduction
Warts are very common, and often develop as small, rough lumps, which resemble solid blisters, or have a ‘cauliflower’ type appearance. Warts are caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), a family of over 100 viruses, some of which cause warts on the feet, hands or face. Other types of HPV only infect the tissue of the genital tract, which are referred to as ‘genital warts’. Warts can be spread by contact with skin infected by HPV, and also by contact with objects that have touched warts, such as towels. Genital warts are spread by sexual contact.
While everyone is at risk of developing warts, they most commonly affect children aged 12 to 16 years. It is estimated that one in five children have warts, and without medical treatment, about 65 per cent of wart infections spontaneously resolve. While there is no link between warts and the development of skin cancer, HPV are now recognised as major causes of cervical cancer.