The presence of one or more round, raised, rough surfaces on the skin (usually on the hands or feet) can indicate the presence of warts. Warts can vary in appearance depending on their location on the body and the infecting HPV strain. They may have numerous small black dots on their surface, which are clotted blood vessels.[1][2] Although warts are often asymptomatic (other than the change in appearance of affected skin), they can have negative effects on quality of life by causing physical discomfort or psychological distress over cosmetic appearance.[3][2]
What are the main signs and symptoms of warts?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Warts are characterized by one or more round, raised, rough surfaces on the skin; they are typically found on the hands or feet and may display small black dots from clotted blood vessels. Although they are often asymptomatic, warts can negatively affect quality of life due to physical discomfort or concerns about their appearance.