The term "common wart" refers to a type of skin growth caused by the human papillomavirus. It is spelled /ˈkɒmən wɔːt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "com" rhymes with "mom," while the second syllable "mon" rhymes with "gone." The stress is on the first syllable. The letter "a" is pronounced as "ah" as in "father," and the "w" is pronounced as "wuh." The final "t" is pronounced as "tuh," with a slight puff of air.
A common wart is a small, benign growth that typically appears on the skin's surface, particularly on the hands or fingers. It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a viral infection that affects the surface layer of the skin. Common warts are one of the most prevalent types of warts and are often characterized by their rough and grainy texture. They usually present as raised, round or irregularly-shaped bumps with a firm consistency.
Common warts usually measure a few millimeters in size, but they can grow larger if left untreated. They may have a rough surface resembling a cauliflower or a blister and are often gray, brown, or flesh-colored. While common warts are generally painless, they can cause discomfort when they grow on areas that undergo frequent friction or pressure.
These warts are contagious and can be easily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the HPV virus. They commonly occur in children and young adults, especially those with weakened immune systems. However, anyone can develop common warts.
Treatment options for common warts may include over-the-counter topical medications, freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), or in some cases, surgical removal. Despite their common occurrence, the majority of common warts are harmless and tend to resolve on their own over time, ranging from a few months to a couple of years.
The word "wart" can be traced back to the Old English word "wearte" and the Old High German word "warza", both meaning "wart". These Old English and Old High German words likely derived from the Proto-Germanic word "wartōną", meaning "to become a wart" or "to have a lump". The exact origin of the word beyond Proto-Germanic is uncertain.
The word "common" in "common wart" refers to the fact that this type of wart is the most frequently occurring type. It is derived from the Latin word "communis", meaning "shared by all" or "general". In this context, "common" signifies that these warts are widely found and not specific to any particular group or individual.