Do Warts Turn Red? Understanding Color Changes in Common Skin Growths
While warts are typically skin-colored, pinkish, or slightly brown, they can turn red due to various factors, including irritation, inflammation, or attempted removal. This article explores the reasons why this happens and what it signifies.
What are Warts and How Do They Form?
Warts are common skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus infects the top layer of skin, causing it to grow rapidly and form a benign, often rough, bump. Different types of HPV can cause different kinds of warts, including:
- Common warts: Usually found on hands and fingers.
- Plantar warts: Located on the soles of the feet.
- Flat warts: Smaller and smoother than other types, often appearing on the face.
- Genital warts: Affecting the genital area, these are a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Warts are contagious and can spread through direct contact, or by touching something that has the virus on it. They can also spread from one part of your body to another.
Why Do Warts Turn Red? Common Causes
The appearance of a wart can change over time. While they are rarely intensely red at their initial appearance, there are several reasons warts turn red:
- Irritation: Scratching, picking, or otherwise irritating a wart can lead to inflammation and redness. This is because the skin around the wart becomes damaged, attracting blood flow to the area.
- Inflammation: The body’s immune system may be actively fighting the HPV infection, causing inflammation and redness around the wart.
- Attempted Removal: Over-the-counter treatments, home remedies, or even professional procedures (like cryotherapy or laser treatment) can inflame the wart, making it appear redder.
- Secondary Infection: If the skin around the wart is broken, bacteria can enter, leading to a secondary bacterial infection. This will cause redness, swelling, pain, and potentially pus formation.
- Spontaneous Regression: In rare cases, a wart may turn red as it’s naturally regressing, indicating the body is successfully fighting the infection. This is usually accompanied by other signs of improvement, like the wart shrinking or becoming less prominent.
Diagnosing Redness in Warts
While a wart turning red doesn’t always indicate a problem, it’s crucial to monitor the area and consider seeking medical advice if you notice:
- Increased pain or tenderness
- Swelling or pus drainage
- Red streaks extending from the wart
- Fever or chills
A doctor can properly diagnose the cause of the redness and recommend appropriate treatment, especially if a secondary infection is suspected.
Treating Red Warts and Preventing Complications
The treatment for a red wart depends on the underlying cause:
- Mild Irritation: Keep the area clean and dry. Apply a gentle moisturizer. Avoid further irritation.
- Inflammation: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory creams or topical corticosteroids may help reduce redness and swelling (consult a doctor or pharmacist first).
- Secondary Infection: Antibiotics are necessary to treat a bacterial infection. See a doctor promptly.
- Wart Removal Side Effects: Follow your doctor’s post-treatment instructions carefully. Use prescribed or recommended creams to promote healing and prevent infection.
Home Remedies and Their Potential Pitfalls
While many home remedies for warts exist, it’s essential to use caution. Some remedies can be harsh and may cause further irritation or even burns. Before attempting any home treatment, research the remedy thoroughly and test it on a small area of skin first. If the wart starts to turn red and becomes more painful, discontinue use immediately.
Preventing Warts and Their Complications
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to help prevent warts and their complications:
- Avoid direct contact with warts on yourself or others.
- Wear shoes or sandals in public showers and locker rooms.
- Keep your feet dry.
- Don’t share towels, razors, or other personal items.
- If you pick or scratch a wart, wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
- Consider HPV vaccination, which can protect against some types of warts, including genital warts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does it mean if my wart suddenly turns dark red or black?
A wart that suddenly turns dark red or black could indicate bleeding under the wart (due to trauma or irritation) or even a rare form of skin cancer. While skin cancer developing directly from a wart is exceedingly rare, any sudden changes in color, especially accompanied by pain or ulceration, should be immediately evaluated by a doctor to rule out any serious condition.
Is it normal for a wart to turn red after using salicylic acid?
Yes, it’s quite normal for a wart to turn red after using salicylic acid or other chemical treatments. This indicates that the medication is working to break down the wart tissue. However, excessive redness, pain, or blistering could suggest that the treatment is too strong and causing irritation. Reduce the frequency of application or consult a healthcare professional.
Can a wart turn red if I’m allergic to a treatment?
Yes, an allergic reaction to a wart treatment can cause redness, itching, swelling, and even blistering around the wart. If you suspect an allergic reaction, stop using the product immediately and consult a doctor or pharmacist.
If my wart turns red and swollen, does that mean it’s infected?
While not always, a wart turning red and becoming swollen can indicate a secondary bacterial infection. Other signs of infection include pain, tenderness, pus drainage, and red streaks extending from the wart. Seek medical attention for antibiotic treatment if an infection is suspected.
Should I be concerned if a wart turns red during pregnancy?
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the immune system and cause warts to grow or change in appearance. If a wart turns red during pregnancy, it’s generally not a cause for immediate alarm, but it’s still best to consult a doctor to rule out any complications or infections and discuss safe treatment options.
What does it mean if a wart is red around the edges but not on the wart itself?
Redness around the edges of a wart, but not on the wart itself, could suggest inflammation or irritation of the surrounding skin, perhaps from scratching or exposure to irritants. Avoid scratching or picking at the wart and apply a gentle moisturizer to the surrounding skin.
Can stress cause a wart to turn red?
While stress itself doesn’t directly cause a wart to turn red, it can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight the HPV infection. This can lead to increased inflammation and potentially redness around the wart. Managing stress can help support the immune system.
What is the best way to treat a wart that has turned red?
The best treatment depends on the cause of the redness. For mild irritation, keep the area clean and apply a moisturizer. For inflammation, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory cream might help. If you suspect an infection, see a doctor for antibiotics. If the redness is due to a treatment, adjust the frequency of application or try a different method. Always consult a doctor for personalized advice.
Are red warts more contagious than skin-colored warts?
The color of a wart doesn’t directly affect its contagiousness. A red wart is contagious if it contains active HPV. Contagiousness depends on factors like viral load and the individual’s immune response, not the color of the wart.
How long will it take for a red wart to heal?
The healing time for a red wart depends on the cause and treatment. Mild irritation may resolve within a few days. A secondary infection may require a week or two of antibiotics. Redness from treatment can persist for several weeks. Follow your doctor’s instructions for optimal healing.
Can I use makeup to cover a red wart?
While makeup can temporarily cover a red wart, it’s essential to keep the area clean and avoid irritating it further. Use non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) makeup and remove it gently at the end of the day.
When should I see a doctor if my wart turns red?
You should see a doctor if your wart turns red and you experience any of the following: increased pain or tenderness, swelling, pus drainage, red streaks extending from the wart, fever, or chills. These signs may indicate a secondary infection or another underlying problem that requires medical attention.