Viral warts (verrucae)

What it is

Viral warts, or verrucae, are an infection of the skin and mucosa caused by human papilloma viruses, HPVs. They are common in children.

Causes and risk

They are spread by skin-skin contact or through contaminated surfaces and objects. The type of wart follows the HPV type:

• Verruca vulgaris, the common warts: HPV 2 and 4
• Verruca plana, the flat warts: HPV 3 and 10
• Palmoplantar warts: HPV 1
• Condylomata acuminata, the external genital warts: HPV 6 and 11, then HPV 16 and 18 and others