Wart is a lump on the skin that looks like cauliflower. It is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus will cause, a benign skin growth, often called a "wart" or "papilloma". 

It can infect areas with a defect on the skin or in areas where the skin is exposed to excessive moisture, e.g. sweaty feet. Another common way of transmission of the HPV virus, is by touching wet surfaces, such as floors in swimming pools or change rooms, which are infected by people who already have warts. The most common areas affected are the hands and feet (plantar warts).

Although not dangerous they are highly contagious. In order to prevent infection of other body parts or other people, early treatment is recommended. Most common treatments are:

Cryotherapy: Cryosurgery involves freezing of the wart at -196 ° C. A blister will be created between the wart and epidermal layer, after which the wart and the surrounding dead skin fall off by themselves. An average of 3 to 4 treatments are required for large warts of the skin. It is usually the most common treatment.

Surgical removal of warts: Surgical removal is probably the most effective treatment, but the wound area may take several weeks to heel. In large warts a scar may remain.

Electrodesiccation: Electrocautery is a procedure that destroys tissue using electricity and high temperatures. The warts are basically burned. It is an effective method but it can leave scars.

Keratolysis (removal of dead surface skin cells): The most common keratolytic treatment of warts available over-the-counter involve salicylic acid. It may take up to 12 weeks to remove a stubborn wart and it’s not always successful. It is usually recommended for small warts in the very early stages