Why Warts Bleed

Warts have their own irrigation and innervation. They’re contagious lesions, since they’re caused by one of the subtypes of the human papillomavirus. Do you know why warts bleed?

Written and verified by the dermatologist Maria del Carmen Hernandez.

Last update: 11 June, 2022

Warts are skin lesions caused by the human papillomavirus. They’re often asymptomatic and usually only tend to cause aesthetic problems. However, sometimes, warts bleed or trigger some kind of pain.

Although this is rare, experts tend to recommend seeking treatment to speed up the recovery process. Since they affect several layers of the skin, they can be difficult to remove. In addition, they’re contagious and can spread to various body parts.

Symptoms of warts

Rough-textured bumps are the main symptom of warts. Beyond this, they don’t usually cause any discomfort. Only in certain cases, clinical manifestations include the following:

• Itching
• Tightness or feeling of pressure
• Pain, especially those located on the sole of the foot
• Bleeding

Causes of warts

The human papillomavirus (HPV), which has about 100 different types, causes warts. Each serotype determines the location of the lesion in the body; hands, face, neck, armpits, feet, genitals, etc. In many cases, they resolve on their own, without the need for treatment.

The virus is able to enter the skin through wounds. Once it does this, it causes extra and rapid cell growth. The outermost skin layer becomes hard and thick, thus causing the bump.

The American Academy of Dermatology affirms that it spreads through direct contact with the injury, or by sharing personal use articles, such as towels or razors.

Why warts bleed

Warts have their own blood supply. Thus, they bleed a lot if you try to eliminate them with inappropriate procedures. Specifically, they contain dermal papillae intertwined with vascular loops.

With the help of a dermatoscope, medical professionals can see tortuous capillaries that generate a red dotted pattern on macroscopy, characteristic of the lesion. Warts also have specialized nerve endings, which is why you feel pain when you handle them.

Types of warts

Not all warts are the same. They’re often classified according to the body part where they appear. Also, their characteristics and symptoms may vary. What are the most common?

Plantar warts

These warts are often mistaken for calluses. They’re bigger than most warts, since the sole of the foot must support the body’s entire weight. They don’t grow exophytically but inwards, when you’re walking or standing. In addition, they’re the most complicated to treat due to their location.

Vulgar warts

They’re usually located on the face, the back of the hands, or on the cheeks. They’re hard rough growths that are scaly to the touch. As a study in The Journal of The Egyptian Public Health Association states, it’s one of the most common wart variants in children, with a 49% prevalence.

Flat warts

These warts are small bumps. They don’t have pigments. Instead, they have the same coloration as the surrounding skin. In addition, they’re located on the face, with prevalence on the forehead, cheeks, hands, and forearms.

Genital warts

Some strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) cause warts in the genital area, including the vagina, penis, and anus. In fact, this virus is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Risk factors

Some people are more likely to develop warts. In fact, as they’re caused by viruses, it’s convenient to evaluate a person’s immune system to make sure that it isn’t compromised. The risk factors include the following:

• People who handle or work with raw meat, for example in butcher’s shops or slaughterhouses.
• Children or teens who use public showers after playing sports or in swimming pools.
• People who have a relative with warts.
• Suffering from immunodeficiencies. Recipients of organ transplants or diseases such as AIDS.
• People with atopic diseases.

Treatment options for warts

If warts bleed, you need to intervene as soon as possible to avoid complications. In fact, even if they don’t bleed, some prefer to remove them as they’re bothered by their unsightly appearance. Here are some of the procedures that can prove helpful:

• Cryosurgery. The use of liquid nitrogen or solid carbon dioxide (also called dry ice) to freeze the tissues. Although this procedure causes mild pain, it’s one of the most effective to remove warts. A dermatologist, in several sessions, once a week, should perform it.
• Topical medication. Special acid-based formulations that slowly burn the wart. You have to apply the product every day, which can cause slight skin irritation.
• Electrocoagulation. It often leaves scars.
• Surgical removal. It isn’t very popular due to its low effectiveness and the risk of viral dissemination. It has a high percentage of relapse.
• Laser. Although it’s effective, it’s slightly painful and can leave scars.

How to act if warts bleed

When warts bleed, it’s best to see a dermatologist for proper treatment. Trying to fix it at home can lead to complications and skin damage. In short, without timely intervention, it’s difficult to get rid of this highly contagious problem.