This image displays skin-colored, flat bumps typical of flat warts. This image displays multiple skin-colored, barely raised lesions typical of flat warts. This image displays typical, multiple flat warts. Numerous skin colored flat warts are seen here on the forehead. In people with darker skin, flat warts can look lighter in color than normal skin. The linear arrangement of flat warts on the left side of the picture illustrates how a scratch can spread the infection. Flat warts are not as raised as common warts; when they are numerous, as on the chin of this child, they can simulate a rash. In lighter skinned people, flat warts are pink in color. The straight line of warts displays the spread of the virus from a scratch. Flat warts can be widely scattered across the face. Flat warts may be difficult to see in darker skin and often have a lighter color than normal skin.
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Flat Wart  A parent's guide to condition and treatment information

Picture of Flat Wart: This image displays skin-colored, flat bumps typical of flat warts. Divider line
This image displays skin-colored, flat bumps typical of flat warts.
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Overview
A flat wart, or verruca plana, is a form of wart (verruca). Warts are common growths caused by an infection of the surface (superficial) skin with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which thickens the top skin layer. Warts are usually harmless and painless, and many go away on their own after months to years. In fact, two thirds of warts are gone within 2 years of their appearance.

Warts are passed to humans by person-to-person contact or, rarely, by touching an object used by an infected person. Warts are not highly contagious and usually require a small break in the skin to become infected.

Flat warts tend to stay small in size, but they can be numerous in quantity. Flat warts often spread to other places on the body by scratching or shaving.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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