Wart Symptoms and Causes

A small, fleshy bump on the skin or mucous membrane caused by various strains of human papillomavirus.

Incidence: Very Common
○ More than 3 million US cases per year
○ Spreads by skin-to-skin contact
○ Treatable by a medical professional
○ Usually self-diagnosable
○ Lab tests or imaging not required
○ Medium-term: resolves within months to years

Different strains may cause warts in different parts of the body. Warts can be spread from one location on the body to another or from person to person by contact with the wart. The main symptom is a fleshy, painless growth on the skin. Common areas affected include the hands, feet, and genitals. Treatment may include topical medications or removal through medical procedures.

Cause of vitiligo: Vitiligo can be triggered by stress to the melanin pigment-producing cells of the skin, the melanocytes. The triggers, which range from sunburn to mechanical trauma and chemical exposures, ultimately cause an autoimmune response that targets melanocytes, driving progressive skin depigmentation.