TYPES
Types of Warts: Verruca Plana, Filiform, Plantar, Genital, and More
Verruca Plana (Juvenile Warts):
These warts are most commonly seen in children and adolescents, often appearing on the back of the hands or the face. Verruca plana are smooth, small, flat-topped papules that usually match the surrounding skin color. They may occur in clusters and are generally asymptomatic.
Verruca Vulgaris:
Verruca vulgaris can affect various parts of the body but are most commonly found on the hands and feet. These warts range in size from a pinhead to pea-sized lesions and have a rough, hyperkeratotic surface. They are firm to the touch and are usually not tender unless subjected to repeated friction or trauma.
Filiform Warts:
Filiform warts are slender, finger-like growths that may appear as single or multiple lesions. They are typically found on the face, neck, or around the lips and eyelids. These warts can be white, pink, or slightly pigmented and may sometimes resemble cauliflower-like projections. In certain cases, they may appear relatively flat.
Plantar and Palmar Warts:
Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet, while palmar warts develop on the palms. Due to constant pressure, these warts often appear flat but are embedded deeper within the skin layers. They can be painful, especially on weight-bearing areas such as the heels and balls of the feet, and may form mosaic warts when multiple lesions cluster together. It is important to distinguish them from corns, which occur at pressure points but lack a papillomatous surface. A typical feature of warts is the presence of small black dots or pinpoint bleeding when the surface is gently scraped.
Genital Warts (Condylomata Acuminata):
Genital warts primarily affect sexually active adults and are found in the anogenital region, including penile, vaginal, or rectal mucosa. They have an irregular, verrucous surface that is usually identifiable on clinical examination. In certain situations, further evaluation such as biopsy may be advised to rule out other conditions.
Occupational Warts:
Occupational warts resemble common warts but are often larger, deeper, and may have a smoother surface. They typically occur on the dorsal or palmar aspects of the hands and are more frequently seen in individuals with occupational exposure, such as butchers or fish handlers, where repeated contact increases the risk of viral transmission.
