Warts on Hands
Warts are bumps on the skin and may feel rough to the touch. The technical name is verruca vulgaris. They appear in areas of skin that grow faster than normal due to a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV). They can spread, and some people can more easily get them. There is no cure for the HPV virus. Most people will naturally fight off the virus from their body within 2-3 years of getting it. However, it can come back. Warts on hands can be uncomfortable and embarrassing to have, but they are not cancerous.
Signs and Symptoms
The bumps can be very itchy, can bleed if irritated, and the skin around them can become uncomfortable. Warts on hands and fingers are sometimes confused with other problems such as fluid filled sacs (cysts) or bone spurs from arthritis.
Treatment
A primary care physician or dermatologist are often the first physicians to treat this problem. There are many different treatment options. While it is very rare, it is important to know that a bump that does not respond to regular treatment can be a sign of a developing skin cancer lesion.
Treatments include simple solutions such as placing duct tape over the bump after rubbing it with a pumice stone. Other methods may include applying salicylic acid or liquid nitrogen to freeze the bump. If these methods do not work, a chemical called cantharidin may be used. Finally, surgical excision or biopsy might be indicated for bumps that do not seem to go away or are in areas that are hard to treat with other methods.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember during treatment is patience. Tried and true treatments generally work but take time.
© 2013 American Society for Surgery of the Hand
This content is written, edited and updated by hand surgeon members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Find a hand surgeon near you.