6 Types of Warts (Signs, Symptoms, Home Remedies, and Treatment)

Warts are annoying, unpredictable, and honestly a little gross — but they’re also incredibly common. Most people will deal with at least one in their lifetime. Some appear quietly and vanish on their own. Others hang around, hurt, spread, or show up in places you really wish they wouldn’t. Understanding what they are, how they spread, and what to do about them is the difference between getting rid of them quickly and letting them take over.

Here’s the full breakdown — the six types of warts, what they look like, why they show up, and what actually works to treat them.

A wart is, at its core, a harmless skin growth caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus slips into the skin through tiny cuts or scratches, then forces the skin cells on the surface to multiply faster than normal. That’s why you end up with a bump — rough, smooth, painful, painless, depending on the type.

And yes, “virus” means warts are contagious. Not wildly contagious like the flu, but enough that sharing razors, walking barefoot in public showers, or touching someone’s wart can give you one. Kids get them more often because they have more scrapes and cuts, but adults aren’t immune.

Warts can show up almost anywhere, but the most common types fall into six basic categories.

Common warts are the classic ones — rough, firm, often compared to tiny pieces of cauliflower. They pop up on the hands, fingers, or around the nails. They start small. Ignore them, and they can grow or multiply. They’re usually painless, but they can snag on things or become tender.

Plantar warts form on the bottom of your feet. Because you put weight on them with every step, they often grow inward instead of outward. That’s why they can feel like a rock stuck deep in your shoe. They sometimes have tiny black dots inside — clotted blood vessels — which help distinguish them from calluses. Leave them alone long enough, and they can grow into clusters called “mosaic warts,” which are even harder to treat.

Flat warts are smoother and smaller. They sit almost flush with the skin, tend to appear in patches, and are more common on the face, arms, and legs. Kids and teens get them more than adults. They’re not painful, but because they often show up in large numbers, they can be frustrating and embarrassing.

Filiform warts grow fast and have long, thin, spiky projections. They typically appear around the eyes, lips, or nose — areas where you absolutely don’t want to mess around with harsh treatments. They’re not painful, but their location and shape make them noticeable and often alarming.

Genital warts are caused by specific strains of HPV and appear on or around the genitals or anus. They may be flat or raised, tiny or clustered, and sometimes form a cauliflower-like texture. They’re usually painless but can itch or bleed. Most are caused by HPV types 6 and 11, while other strains like HPV 16 are linked to a higher cancer risk. That’s why protection, regular STI testing, and vaccines matter.

Age warts — more accurately called seborrheic keratoses — aren’t actually warts caused by HPV. But people often confuse them with warts because they look similar. They appear after age 40, starting as flat yellowish spots that thicken and turn brown over time. They show up on the back, chest, forehead, and hands. Although harmless, they can mimic melanoma, which is why dermatologists prefer to evaluate them instead of guessing.

Warts do spread, but not instantly. You need direct contact, or contact with something contaminated: a gym floor, a razor, a towel, a pair of shared nail clippers. Broken skin makes infection easier. So does moisture, which is why public pools, locker rooms, and showers are hotspots.

If you already have a wart, you can spread it to other parts of your body by touching it, scratching it, shaving over it, or picking at it. That’s why dermatologists constantly warn people to leave them alone.

Some warts disappear on their own — especially in kids — but waiting them out can take months or even years. And if the wart is painful, ugly, or contagious, “wait and see” feels miserable.

Home remedies exist. Some work surprisingly well. Some are hit-or-miss. All should be done gently.

One popular home remedy is duct tape. It sounds ridiculous, but many people swear by it. You cut a piece of duct tape, stick it over the wart, leave it on for several days, remove it, soak the area in warm water, and gently file the dead skin. The theory is that the occlusion softens the skin and irritates the virus enough for your immune system to fight it. Studies show mixed results, but real-world stories show plenty of success.

Another option is apple cider vinegar. It works similarly to salicylic acid — it slowly dissolves the wart tissue. But it absolutely must be diluted. Straight vinegar can burn your skin. You soak a cotton ball in a diluted solution, secure it with a bandage, and let it sit for a few hours at a time.

Aspirin paste is another DIY treatment. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is used in many over-the-counter wart removers. Crush a pill, mix it with a drop of water, apply the paste, and cover it overnight. Over time, the acidic compound peels away layers of the wart.

Tea tree oil is known for antimicrobial and antiviral properties. A few diluted drops applied daily may help, especially for flat warts. Never use tea tree oil undiluted — it can irritate or inflame the skin.

Regardless of the remedy, the key is patience and consistency. Warts don’t disappear overnight, even with proper treatment. And some areas — the face, genitals, eyelids — should never be treated at home. Any wart that bleeds, changes color, spreads rapidly, or causes pain deserves a professional evaluation.

Dermatologists have stronger tools: cryotherapy (freezing), prescription acids, laser treatments, immunotherapy, or minor surgical removal. For persistent warts, these methods end the problem much faster.

Warts are irritating, embarrassing, and stubborn — but they’re far from rare or dangerous. Knowing the type you’re dealing with, treating it properly, protecting others, and knowing when to call a doctor makes the whole experience easier.

And the good news? With the right approach, every wart can be treated, managed, or removed. You don’t have to live with them — and you definitely don’t have to let them spread.