Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Warts
Warts are skin growths caused by a virus. Common and flat warts occur most often in younger children and plantar warts in school-aged children.
Cause
Human papillomavirus.
Symptoms
Common - Dome-shaped and have a rough appearance. They usually grow on the fingers, on the backs of the hands, and around the nails but may be more common where skin is broken (e.g., bitten fingernails or picked hangnails). Black dots in a wart are produced by broken blood vessels.
Plantar (foot) - Usually seen on the bottoms of the feet. Most of these warts flatten because the pressure of walking pushes them back into the skin. They can be very painful. They may also have black dots.
Flat - Smaller and smoother than other warts. They tend to grow in large numbers (20 to 100) at a time and can grow anywhere. However, in children they are most common on the face. They are found in the beard area of men and on the legs of women.
Spread
Passed from person-to-person, sometimes indirectly from contaminated objects, such as locker room floors, showers, or pool decks. The virus more easily enters the body through an area of skin that is moist, peeling, or cracked.
Incubation
It can take from several months to years for symptoms to begin.
Contagious Period
Unknown; probably as long as the wart is present.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: None.
Diagnosis
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider.
Treatment
Based on the type of wart.
Prevention/Control
- Discourage children from biting their nails or picking their hangnails.
- Encourage students to do basic first aid when they have an injury (e.g., cut or scrape), if appropriate for age group.
- Encourage children to wear shower shoes (e.g., flip-flops or water sandals) in locker rooms and showers or on pool decks.
- DO NOT allow sharing personal items such as razors or nail clippers.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Warts Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Warts
Warts are skin growths caused by a virus. Common and flat warts are seen most often in younger children and plantar warts in school-aged children.
If you think your child has Warts:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
No.
- Child Care and School:
Symptoms
Common - Dome-shaped and have a rough appearance. Check the fingers, on the backs of the hands, and around the nails. They may be more common where a child has bitten fingernails or picked hangnails.
Plantar (foot) - Usually seen on the bottoms of the feet. Most of these warts flatten because the pressure of walking pushes them back into the skin. They can be very painful.
Flat - Smaller and smoother than other warts. They tend to grow in large numbers (20 to 100) at a time. They can grow anywhere on the body.
If your child is infected, it may take several months to years before symptoms start.
Spread
- From person to person.
- By touching contaminated objects, such as locker room floors, showers, or pool decks.
Contagious Period
Probably as long as the wart is present.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- Your doctor will decide if treatment is needed.
Prevention
- Avoid biting your nails or picking your hangnails. Keep nails trimmed.
- Take care to keep feet and hands clean and dry. Do basic first aid when an injury (cut, scrape, etc.) occurs.
- Wear shoes like flip-flops or water sandals in locker rooms and showers or on pool decks.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as razors.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated areas. Use a product that kills viruses.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.