An introduction to the symptoms of warts
The symptoms of warts can sometimes be uncomfortable and painful to experience, but mostly the skin infection remains a superficial issue, with most complaints stemming from their less than attractive appearance.
Nevertheless, if you are suffering from warts, it can sometimes be worthwhile understanding your symptoms and why they can occur. This often gives you an idea about the type of warts outbreak you are suffering from, and can guide you in the right direction when it comes to treatment.
Clotted blood vessels
If you’ve ever suffered from an outbreak of warts and noticed that the small bumps appear to have a dark dot in the centre, then it was probably caused by a clotted blood vessel.
These vessels carry nutrients to the warts but can rupture easily, causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissues. This can cause some discomfort, especially if the wart is positioned on your foot, as is the case in many outbreaks of verrucas.
Skin discolouration
Skin can become discoloured in episodes of warts, particularly around the affected area or the wart itself.
Normally warts are pale in appearance, but some may become greyish in colour or even brown. This pigmentation normally fades after your wart has diminished but sometimes it can persist, meaning that you may need to speak to your doctor.
Itchiness
Itchiness is an irritating symptom that can be found in more serious variants of warts, such as filiform warts.
While this symptom can be particularly aggravating, it is important that you try to avoid scratching the wart or the surround skin, as this may cause further damage to your epidermis and place you at a greater risk of developing a secondary bacterial infection
Smooth pustule
Smooth pustules are distinct wart symptom that usually occurs in episodes of flat warts.
Unlike typical warts which are usually rough to the touch, the pustules found in flat warts are smooth and not usually as pronounced as the lesions found other variants.
Nevertheless, these pustules can cluster together in order to manifest across a larger surface area, and often develop around the face.
Onychauxis
Onychauxis usually appears in cases of periungual warts , and pertains to the thickening of the nail. In these instances, your fingernails or toenails can become hardened, discoloured and even disjointed as the warts infection festers under the nail.
Fleshy protrusions
Fleshy protrusions are a symptom that is unique to filiform warts and normally considered to be the most psychologically distressing.
These ‘finger-like’ growths give the condition its name and are known to erupt out of the facial area of the body, sometimes marked by small white growths that can sprout from the head of the lesion.
Raised, rough skin
Warts are formed by an excess of the hardened protein keratin, manifesting on the epidermal layer of skin, causing raised rough lumps to appear.
These lumps can feel coarse and dry to the touch, sometimes affecting the texture of your skin after they have faded. Normally, through the use of moisturisers and oils, you can relieve this dryness and it should clear up quite quickly.
Stress
It is very common with visible skin conditions, to feel apprehensive and nervous, especially if symptoms are manifesting on your face or your arms.
During an outbreak of warts, you can feel upset and as though your confidence has been affected, however it is important to try and remain calm so that you do not place additional pressure on your immune system and worsen your other symptoms.
