Symptoms and Complications
Warts are generally easy to see and/or feel. People notice them as abnormal
growths, bumps, or other odd changes of the skin. More specifically, plantar
and genital warts have very distinct symptoms and are more serious types of
warts:
- Plantar: These warts sometimes resemble calluses. They are flat in
appearance, deep-rooted in the skin, and can cause pain when you walk. They
may be yellow or brown in color and may also be dotted with tiny gray-black
nodules.
- Genital: These warts are often small and flat. They can be pink,
white, or gray in color. They can also join together forming cauliflower-like
growths. These warts are able to grow on both the external and internal genitalia,
including the anus, vagina, urethra, and cervix. Genital warts can also appear
in the throat if oral sexual contact occurs with an infected person.
Luckily, most HPV infections do not become cancerous. However, certain
strains of HPV have been associated with the development of cervical
cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer, and, rarely, cancer of the penis. If
and when complications arise, they're often due to genital warts. Warts can
also cause a number of problems during pregnancy. They can become bigger and
interfere with urination and even cause obstruction during delivery. In rare
instances, a baby can also develop warts in the throat (laryngeal papillomatosis)
if the mother has genital warts. For this reason, it's important for women to
have regular Pap smears, especially those who have experienced HPV infection
or genital warts.