Causes, Side Effects, Risks, and Treatment

Warts are skin growths that can occur on various parts of your body. They’re caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). While over 100 types of HPV have been identified, only certain types of HPV lead to warts.

Warts are common and are estimated to affect about 10 percent of people. Most warts are benign (noncancerous). However, some HPV types can cause cancer in areas like the cervix, penis, anus, and throat.

You can develop warts on any part of your body, including on your scalp. Scalp warts are often just a nuisance, mainly leading to cosmetic concerns.

Keep reading to learn more about scalp warts, what causes them, and how to detect other skin conditions that may appear similar to them.

The picture below includes one example of what scalp warts may look like.

Scalp warts are caused by a virus called HPV. You may be familiar with HPV in the context of genital warts. However, the types of HPV that cause warts on your scalp are different from those that cause genital warts.

HPV can be passed to others, mainly through direct skin-to-skin contact. It can also spread by touching objects or surfaces that have come into contact with the virus, such as towels, razors, or the floors of public showers or locker rooms.

HPV typically enters through an open cut or scrape. From there, the virus can go on to affect host cells, causing an increase in cell growth. This leads to the formation of skin growths called warts. There are several types of warts.

Common warts

Common warts can occur on any area of your body, including on your scalp. However, they’re more common on your hands and fingers. They can range in size from 1 millimeter to a few centimeters.

These warts are typically painless and often feel rough or scaly to the touch. They may have a rounded appearance.

Common warts can come in a variety of colors, including pink, beige, or brown.

They can also be speckled with small black dots, which are tiny blood vessels that have clotted (seed warts).

Flat warts

Unlike common warts, flat warts are smoother and are smaller in size. They typically occur in multiples.

Flat warts may be yellowish or brownish in color. They’re commonly found on the face and legs. In some cases, they may occur on the scalp.

Filiform warts

Filiform warts appear threadlike or brushlike. They can grow quickly and often happen on the face around the mouth, eyes, and nose. In rarer cases, they may be seen on the scalp.

Seborrheic keratosis

Seborrheic keratosis is a skin condition that can affect older people. It can begin as small bumps that eventually take on a wartlike appearance.

These growths can appear anywhere on the body. Common locations include the scalp as well as the chest, back, and neck. The color of seborrheic keratoses can vary and can include white, brown, or black.

While it may look like warts, seborrheic keratosis isn’t caused by HPV and doesn’t spread to others. Its exact cause is unknown.

Other possibilities

There are other skin conditions that can also happen on the scalp and may potentially resemble warts. These include:

• Moles. Moles are clusters of pigment-containing skin cells. They’re round or oval-shaped and can be flat or raised. While moles can happen anywhere, they often appear in areas exposed to sun, such as the scalp, back, and arms.
• Actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis happens on sun-damaged areas of skin. It often occurs on the scalp, face, and arms. Areas of actinic keratosis have a rough, scaly appearance and may itch.
• Nevus sebaceous. Nevus sebaceous is a rare birthmark that can occur on the scalp, face, or neck. It often becomes more prominent during puberty and can take on a wartlike appearance.

Can it be cancer?

Skin cancer often occurs on areas that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the scalp, face, and back. Some types of skin cancer may be wartlike in appearance.

There are three types skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC often presents as a skin-colored or pearl-like bump. It may also appear as a pink patch of skin.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCC can appear as a scaly patch, a firm red bump, or a sore. It can also develop from existing actinic keratosis.
• Melanoma. Melanoma can develop in a new mole or a preexisting mole.

Melanoma typically:

• are asymmetrical
• have an irregular border
• vary in color or have inconsistent color
• are larger in size
• change noticeably over time

Overall, warts on your scalp are unlikely to lead to serious risks or side effects. Warts at this location are typically benign.

However, scratching or picking at a scalp wart can cause warts to spread to other areas of your scalp. Because of this, use caution when brushing, cutting, or shaving your hair.

Additionally, touching your scalp wart and then touching the skin on another part of your body can potentially spread warts to that location. Always wash your hands after you touch a wart.

Some other types of skin growths that have a wartlike appearance can be precancerous or cancerous. If you find a skin growth on your scalp that concerns you, make an appointment with a doctor.

Many times, warts will go away on their own without treatment. However, this may sometimes take months to years.

Because warts can often be a nuisance, many people opt to use some type of treatment to help them go away. Below are some of the potential treatment options for warts.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a medication that’s available over-the-counter (OTC). You can find it in many forms, such as a liquid, gel, or pad. It works by gradually dissolving the layers of the wart.

You apply salicylic acid products directly to the wart on a daily basis. While this OTC treatment can have good results, it may take several weeks to be effective. There are also prescription-strength salicylic acid medications.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy for warts involves freezing them with liquid nitrogen. The extreme cold from the liquid nitrogen works to destroy the outer layers of the wart.

Cryotherapy is typically performed at a dermatologist’s office. However, there are various OTC products that can be used to freeze warts as well. These products don’t reach the same temperature as liquid nitrogen and aren’t nearly as effective.

Prescription creams

Prescription creams like imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil work by stimulating the immune system and inducing an irritant reaction. The immune system then clears away the cells containing the virus.

Electrosurgery

During electrosurgery, a dermatologist uses an electrical current to burn the wart. The wart is then scraped off.

Excision

When a wart is excised, a dermatologist cuts it out. Because this method can cause scarring, other treatment options are recommended before excision.

Duct tape

Duct tape is a home remedy for warts that involves placing a small piece of duct tape on the wart and removing it every few days.

Treating a wart with duct tape may help to slowly remove the layers of the wart. Duct tape works by inducing an irritant reaction via the adhesive, bringing the immune system into the area, which then hopefully recognizes and clears away the cells containing the virus.

However, evidence from clinical trials for the efficacy of this treatment is inconsistent.

Other home remedies

In addition to duct tape, there are several other home remedies that you may come across for the treatment of warts. Some of these include garlic, apple cider vinegar, and tea tree oil.

It’s important to remember that scientific evidence for many of these home remedies is very limited. For some remedies, evidence is anecdotal only, meaning it comes from personal testimony and not from research.

If you choose to use a home remedy for warts, do so with caution. Some may cause side effects such as a skin reaction or even a chemical burn.

It’s a good idea to make an appointment with a doctor if you notice growths on your scalp that:

• don’t go away or get worse with home care
• disrupt activities like brushing your hair or getting a haircut
• cause pain, itching, or bleeding
• change in appearance or color
• occur in large numbers

A doctor can often diagnose warts by examining them directly. However, it’s possible that they may also take a skin biopsy to rule out other types of skin conditions that may appear similar to warts.

There are some things that you can do to help prevent new warts from forming on your scalp:

• Don’t touch. You can potentially spread warts to other areas by touching a wart and then touching another area of skin. If you do touch a scalp wart, wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
• Don’t share personal items. Avoid sharing items like hairbrushes, towels, or hats. It’s possible for scalp warts to spread in this way.
• Use caution when grooming. It’s possible that tiny tears can occur in the skin of your scalp, allowing the wart to spread. This is particularly true if you shave your head.
• Keep your head dry. Warts tend to spread more easily in moist areas.
• Cover it. Covering your wart can help keep it from coming into contact with other areas of skin or with personal items. However, this may not be possible depending on its location on your head.

Takeaway                            

Warts are caused by an infection with a virus called HPV. It’s possible to develop warts on your scalp. The types of warts that can occur at this location include common warts, flat warts, and follicular warts.

Additionally, several other skin conditions that look like warts can happen on the scalp.

It’s a good idea to call a doctor if you develop a growth on your scalp that’s concerning, painful, or changes in appearance. They can help to determine what’s causing it and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Causes, Side Effects, Risks, and Treatment

Warts are skin growths that can occur on various parts of your body. They’re caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). While over 100 types of HPV have been identified, only certain types of HPV lead to warts.

Warts are common and are estimated to affect about 10 percent of people. Most warts are benign (noncancerous). However, some HPV types can cause cancer in areas like the cervix, penis, anus, and throat.

You can develop warts on any part of your body, including on your scalp. Scalp warts are often just a nuisance, mainly leading to cosmetic concerns.

Keep reading to learn more about scalp warts, what causes them, and how to detect other skin conditions that may appear similar to them.

The picture below includes one example of what scalp warts may look like.

Scalp warts are caused by a virus called HPV. You may be familiar with HPV in the context of genital warts. However, the types of HPV that cause warts on your scalp are different from those that cause genital warts.

HPV can be passed to others, mainly through direct skin-to-skin contact. It can also spread by touching objects or surfaces that have come into contact with the virus, such as towels, razors, or the floors of public showers or locker rooms.

HPV typically enters through an open cut or scrape. From there, the virus can go on to affect host cells, causing an increase in cell growth. This leads to the formation of skin growths called warts. There are several types of warts.

Common warts

Common warts can occur on any area of your body, including on your scalp. However, they’re more common on your hands and fingers. They can range in size from 1 millimeter to a few centimeters.

These warts are typically painless and often feel rough or scaly to the touch. They may have a rounded appearance.

Common warts can come in a variety of colors, including pink, beige, or brown.

They can also be speckled with small black dots, which are tiny blood vessels that have clotted (seed warts).

Flat warts

Unlike common warts, flat warts are smoother and are smaller in size. They typically occur in multiples.

Flat warts may be yellowish or brownish in color. They’re commonly found on the face and legs. In some cases, they may occur on the scalp.

Filiform warts

Filiform warts appear threadlike or brushlike. They can grow quickly and often happen on the face around the mouth, eyes, and nose. In rarer cases, they may be seen on the scalp.

Seborrheic keratosis

Seborrheic keratosis is a skin condition that can affect older people. It can begin as small bumps that eventually take on a wartlike appearance.

These growths can appear anywhere on the body. Common locations include the scalp as well as the chest, back, and neck. The color of seborrheic keratoses can vary and can include white, brown, or black.

While it may look like warts, seborrheic keratosis isn’t caused by HPV and doesn’t spread to others. Its exact cause is unknown.

Other possibilities

There are other skin conditions that can also happen on the scalp and may potentially resemble warts. These include:

• Moles. Moles are clusters of pigment-containing skin cells. They’re round or oval-shaped and can be flat or raised. While moles can happen anywhere, they often appear in areas exposed to sun, such as the scalp, back, and arms.
• Actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis happens on sun-damaged areas of skin. It often occurs on the scalp, face, and arms. Areas of actinic keratosis have a rough, scaly appearance and may itch.
• Nevus sebaceous. Nevus sebaceous is a rare birthmark that can occur on the scalp, face, or neck. It often becomes more prominent during puberty and can take on a wartlike appearance.

Can it be cancer?

Skin cancer often occurs on areas that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the scalp, face, and back. Some types of skin cancer may be wartlike in appearance.

There are three types skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC often presents as a skin-colored or pearl-like bump. It may also appear as a pink patch of skin.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCC can appear as a scaly patch, a firm red bump, or a sore. It can also develop from existing actinic keratosis.
• Melanoma. Melanoma can develop in a new mole or a preexisting mole.

Melanoma typically:

• are asymmetrical
• have an irregular border
• vary in color or have inconsistent color
• are larger in size
• change noticeably over time

Overall, warts on your scalp are unlikely to lead to serious risks or side effects. Warts at this location are typically benign.

However, scratching or picking at a scalp wart can cause warts to spread to other areas of your scalp. Because of this, use caution when brushing, cutting, or shaving your hair.

Additionally, touching your scalp wart and then touching the skin on another part of your body can potentially spread warts to that location. Always wash your hands after you touch a wart.

Some other types of skin growths that have a wartlike appearance can be precancerous or cancerous. If you find a skin growth on your scalp that concerns you, make an appointment with a doctor.

Many times, warts will go away on their own without treatment. However, this may sometimes take months to years.

Because warts can often be a nuisance, many people opt to use some type of treatment to help them go away. Below are some of the potential treatment options for warts.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a medication that’s available over-the-counter (OTC). You can find it in many forms, such as a liquid, gel, or pad. It works by gradually dissolving the layers of the wart.

You apply salicylic acid products directly to the wart on a daily basis. While this OTC treatment can have good results, it may take several weeks to be effective. There are also prescription-strength salicylic acid medications.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy for warts involves freezing them with liquid nitrogen. The extreme cold from the liquid nitrogen works to destroy the outer layers of the wart.

Cryotherapy is typically performed at a dermatologist’s office. However, there are various OTC products that can be used to freeze warts as well. These products don’t reach the same temperature as liquid nitrogen and aren’t nearly as effective.

Prescription creams

Prescription creams like imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil work by stimulating the immune system and inducing an irritant reaction. The immune system then clears away the cells containing the virus.

Electrosurgery

During electrosurgery, a dermatologist uses an electrical current to burn the wart. The wart is then scraped off.

Excision

When a wart is excised, a dermatologist cuts it out. Because this method can cause scarring, other treatment options are recommended before excision.

Duct tape

Duct tape is a home remedy for warts that involves placing a small piece of duct tape on the wart and removing it every few days.

Treating a wart with duct tape may help to slowly remove the layers of the wart. Duct tape works by inducing an irritant reaction via the adhesive, bringing the immune system into the area, which then hopefully recognizes and clears away the cells containing the virus.

However, evidence from clinical trials for the efficacy of this treatment is inconsistent.

Other home remedies

In addition to duct tape, there are several other home remedies that you may come across for the treatment of warts. Some of these include garlic, apple cider vinegar, and tea tree oil.

It’s important to remember that scientific evidence for many of these home remedies is very limited. For some remedies, evidence is anecdotal only, meaning it comes from personal testimony and not from research.

If you choose to use a home remedy for warts, do so with caution. Some may cause side effects such as a skin reaction or even a chemical burn.

It’s a good idea to make an appointment with a doctor if you notice growths on your scalp that:

• don’t go away or get worse with home care
• disrupt activities like brushing your hair or getting a haircut
• cause pain, itching, or bleeding
• change in appearance or color
• occur in large numbers

A doctor can often diagnose warts by examining them directly. However, it’s possible that they may also take a skin biopsy to rule out other types of skin conditions that may appear similar to warts.

There are some things that you can do to help prevent new warts from forming on your scalp:

• Don’t touch. You can potentially spread warts to other areas by touching a wart and then touching another area of skin. If you do touch a scalp wart, wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
• Don’t share personal items. Avoid sharing items like hairbrushes, towels, or hats. It’s possible for scalp warts to spread in this way.
• Use caution when grooming. It’s possible that tiny tears can occur in the skin of your scalp, allowing the wart to spread. This is particularly true if you shave your head.
• Keep your head dry. Warts tend to spread more easily in moist areas.
• Cover it. Covering your wart can help keep it from coming into contact with other areas of skin or with personal items. However, this may not be possible depending on its location on your head.

Takeaway                            

Warts are caused by an infection with a virus called HPV. It’s possible to develop warts on your scalp. The types of warts that can occur at this location include common warts, flat warts, and follicular warts.

Additionally, several other skin conditions that look like warts can happen on the scalp.

It’s a good idea to call a doctor if you develop a growth on your scalp that’s concerning, painful, or changes in appearance. They can help to determine what’s causing it and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Removal of a wart on the head in the hair / Laser Doctor Moscow

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Under the editorship of a doctor

May 7, 2018

Maria Vladimirovna Belomyshkina

Leading dermatovenereologist, cosmetologist 90 003

Clinic:

st. Bratislavskaya, 6

Today, it is not difficult to remove various neoplasms from the surface of the scalp – this procedure can be said to be simple and does not last long. Especially if you turn to experienced doctors in a reputable clinic.

Today we will talk about one of the types of neoplasms – warts on the head, the reasons for their appearance and how you can quickly get rid of them.

So, a wart on the head (as, indeed, in any other place on the body) is a benign skin neoplasm that looks like a papilla or nodule. The most common cause of warts is the human papillomavirus (HPV). In addition, there are factors that can contribute to the appearance of warts on the skin:

You can pick up a wart from another person with simple physical contact. For example, if the wart is on the hand, then through a handshake, you can “pick up” HPV. In addition, the virus can live for some time without a person. Warts on the head, of course, are no exception. However, getting a wart on your head from another person will be more difficult than a simple handshake, but there is still a chance. Most questions are caused by warts on the head under the hair. However, even such warts are not difficult for doctors.

Types of warts on the head:

1. Vulgar. The most common type of warts. It is dry skin elevations from keratinized skin. Warts can be the size of a pinhead or a pea. Most often, vulgar warts are located on the hands, but they can also appear on the head.

2. Senile warts. Such warts are not associated with the activity of viruses. There are such warts, as the name implies, with age. Senile warts are plaques that are saturated with sebum. The color is usually brown, gray or black.

However, whatever the wart may be, you should not try to remove it yourself. First, it is dangerous to health. Secondly, even if it is possible to remove it without noticeable harm to health, then with a high probability the wart will return to its original place. If there are warts on the head in the hair, then the best solution would be to go to the doctor for a consultation. At the appointment, the doctor will examine the patient’s skin and conduct a survey. This is necessary in order to correctly determine the neoplasm and identify possible contraindications. If there are no contraindications, then immediately after the reception it will be possible to proceed with the procedure.

Today, the treatment of warts on the head is often carried out through laser removal. This procedure allows you to quickly and safely get rid of unwanted tumors (see scalp tumor removal). In this case, healthy cells are not affected. The clinic “Laser Doctor” uses only original carbon dioxide laser devices “Lancet”. The high professionalism of doctors, fine tuning and modern application anesthesia allow for the procedure to be as comfortable as possible for the patient. Even the removal of a wart on the temple will not cause severe discomfort, and the skin there is quite thin.

After the procedure, a small wound remains on the skin, which overgrows with a crust in a very short time. The crust and the area around it should be treated with a special tool. It is also necessary to protect the treated area from exposure to high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation, so for about two weeks you will have to abandon the solarium, baths, saunas and sunbathing. The rest of the patient can lead a normal life. Attention! In no case should the crust covering the wound be torn off on its own, it must fall off by itself. This process can be accelerated by using drying agents.

Procedure in the clinic “Laser Doctor”

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Wart on the head: a minor problem with major consequences

Modern medicine has advanced far enough in the problem of diagnosing and establishing the causes of the formation of warts on the human body.

For example, it has been proven that the main etiotropic factor in the appearance of such benign neoplasms is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can enter the patient’s bloodstream both through personal contact with an infected person and through common use items. One of the rare, however, rather unpleasant places of localization of epidermal growths is the scalp.

A wart on the head, in the hair may be invisible, but, nevertheless, is fraught with a certain danger. Which one, we will try to figure out below.

What are the dangers of warts on the head, and what types of them are distinguished

Both simple (vulgar) neoplasms and warts associated with age-related keratotic changes can form on the head. The latter cannot be considered true warts, since they are not of a viral nature and usually appear as seborrheic structures. As for the common warts on the head, they have a dense texture and a different color shade – from yellowish to brown.

Despite the fact that a wart on the head in the hair always has a benign nature of tissue growth, this localization zone is considered quite dangerous. This is due to the high risk of mechanical damage to the neoplasm in the process of combing the hair. In this case, severe bleeding may open, which is a consequence of traumatic damage to the vessels and capillaries that feed the body of the growth, which always actively grow around the warts. In addition, there is a high risk of subsequent infection and inflammatory reaction.

Some types of warts are not so harmless, and can be regarded by doctors as a precancerous condition, so finding a wart under your hair on your head is a good reason to see a specialist.

Etiology of warts on the head

In addition to the papillomavirus already mentioned above, which is detected in 90% of people during PCR diagnostics, the following triggers can provoke the formation of warts on the head:

• Decreased body’s immune system;
• Stress, fatigue, neuro-emotional stress;
• Malnutrition, beriberi;
• Hormonal imbalance;
• Mechanical damage to the skin of the scalp;
• Severe infection or inflammation.

Quite often, the appearance of primary (maternal) warts on the head is observed in children, due to the imperfection of the child’s immune system, as well as in pregnant women, whose body is subjected to serious hormonal stress.

Therapy of warts on the head

Despite the fact that warts on the head, under the hair are usually invisible and do not represent a significant aesthetic problem for the patient, a timely visit to a specialist will allow diagnosing the type of wart and will get rid of it during just one procedure laser destruction .

Learn more about the service and its cost here >>

Defect differentiation is performed by combining a simple examination, microscopic analysis of epidermal scrapings and PCR diagnostics.

If the doctor determines that the skin growth is a true wart, most likely the patient will be offered antiviral therapy in conjunction with measures aimed at strengthening the immune system. The vast majority of diagnosed warts require immediate removal.

The easiest way to remove a wart on the head is with laser excision , which involves the targeted evaporation of cells that have undergone abnormal growth.