Warts in older adults: identification and care

Common warts are viral growths with a rough surface. They are different from seborrheic keratoses, which are sometimes informally called age warts but are not caused by a wart virus.

A wart may interrupt normal skin lines and contain tiny dark dots from small blood vessels. Seborrheic keratoses often have a waxy or stuck-on quality. Skin cancers can also become rough or crusted, so texture alone cannot settle every diagnosis.

Warts can spread through direct contact or shared grooming tools, particularly when the skin barrier is broken. Picking can transfer viral material to nearby skin.

Keep the growth covered if it is being rubbed, avoid sharing razors or nail tools, and wash your hands after touching it. Do not cut or burn it at home, especially if circulation, sensation or wound healing is reduced.

Treatment may include cryotherapy, electrosurgery or another wart-removal approach selected for the site and diagnosis. Imiquimod is used for certain types and locations rather than every common wart, so it requires clinical direction.

Arrange prompt assessment if a presumed wart grows quickly, changes colour or outline, bleeds repeatedly without being knocked, ulcerates, remains painful or fails to heal. Review is also sensible when the diagnosis is uncertain or the growth lies on the face, genitals or beneath a nail.

Seek medical advice before self-treatment if you have diabetes, poor circulation, reduced sensation or a weakened immune system, because skin injury may be harder to manage.

Ask how the diagnosis was distinguished from other growths, whether testing or sampling is needed, which treatment fits the location, how to care for the site, and what recurrence, pigment change or scarring might mean for you.