Flat Warts: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Warts appear as small growths on the skin, caused by a virus. They are usually painless and harmless. However, they can be noticeably embarrassing. They can, at times, be itchy or uncomfortable.

About

• There are several different kinds of warts. Flat warts usually occur on the face or forehead and are most common among children and teens.

Symptoms

• Flat warts can be caused by a number of different viruses and usually appear along scratches. They are flat-topped and yellow brown in color. They offer no symptoms of discomfort.

Treatment/Removal

• Flat warts are often difficult to remove. Treatment dictates that a cream called tretinoin be applied daily, possibly with a treatment of benzoyle peroxide. This should create an irritant which will cause the wart to peel away.

Complications

• In addition to the fact that flat warts are often resistant to treatment, spreading is also an issue. Because warts are caused by a virus, they can spread and grow. If a wart is removed, it is possible that it will grow back in the same place.

Prevention

• Warts can be prevented by avoiding contact with a wart on another person. If using an instrument such as a file on a wart, be sure to wash the file so that it is not contaminated; wash your hands after touching a wart.