HPV warts are a part of the HPV virus. There are over 100 different types of HPV virus. HPV can lead to several serious conditions such as cancer of the vagina, penis, anus, cervix, and vulva. HPV causes the changes in the cells in these areas which in turn can lead to the various types of cancer. Similar changes can cause fewer serious conditions such as HPV warts.
Some HPV virus can cause noncancerous skin growths, which are known to many as warts. These types of infections cause a rapid growth of cells on the outer most layer of skin. These result in various types of warts.
Cutaneous or common warts are the result of HPV types HPV-1 and HPV-2. These types of HPV warts are often found on the hands or feet and have a characteristic cauliflower-like surface. They appear quickly and are slightly higher than the skin around them. This type of wart has nothing to do with the kind of HPV that causes genital warts.
Subungual or periungual warts are found under the finger or around the fingernail respectively. These types of HPV warts are very difficult to treat because of their locations.
Plantar warts grow on the bottom of the feet and continue to grow inwardly. They are usually some of the most painful HPV warts.
Flat warts are HPV warts that are usually found on the arms, forehead, or face. These occur more frequently in children and teens. They are not associated with any type of cancer.
The most easily recognized sign of genital HPV infection is genital HPV warts. There is a wide variety of HPV types, which can cause genital warts HPV 6 and 11 are the most commonly known.
Most people who catch the HPV virus don’t have any symptoms so it’s possible for a person with these types of the virus to pass the HPV warts along without ever even knowing they had the condition. The type of the virus that causes HPV genital warts is not the same virus as the one that causes the changes of cells that causes cervical cancer.