Warts and Plantar Warts

Exams and Tests

Warts are usually diagnosed based only on their appearance.

In rare cases, more testing is done. If the diagnosis of a skin condition is unclear or if you are at high risk of having skin cancer, your health professional may take a sample of the growth and examine it (a skin biopsy). A biopsy is usually done if a skin growth is darker than the skin surrounding it, appears as an irregular patch on the skin, bleeds, or is large and growing rapidly.

Proper diagnosis of plantar warts is important. Some wart treatments can cause scarring.


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Author: Sabra L. Katz-Wise
Ralph Poore
Last Updated: October 20, 2006
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Randall D. Burr, MD - Dermatology

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