Warts on the back can be small, rough bumps caused by certain types of a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). However, not every bump that looks like a wart is a true wart; harmless growths called seborrheic keratoses are also common on the back, especially with age. Safe care depends on what the growth is, so avoid cutting or burning it and have an uncertain or changing spot checked.
What causes warts on the back?
True skin warts develop when certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infect the outer layer of the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) explains that the virus can enter through small breaks in the skin. Warts are common in children and teenagers, but people of any age can develop them. The appearance of a bump on the back alone does not establish that HPV is responsible.
Wart-causing viruses can reach the skin in several ways:
- Direct contact with another person's wart.
- Contact with an object contaminated with a wart-causing virus, such as a towel.
- Contact between the virus and a small cut, scrape, or other break in the skin.
- Touching a wart and then touching another area of broken skin, which can spread the virus to a new location.
After the virus enters the skin, a wart may take weeks or months to become noticeable. Developing a wart does not automatically mean that someone has poor hygiene or has done anything wrong.
Could a growth on the back be something other than a wart?
Yes. One common possibility is a seborrheic keratosis, a noncancerous skin growth that often appears on the back, chest, neck, or head. According to Mayo Clinic, these growths often develop gradually as people get older. They may look waxy, scaly, raised, or as though they are stuck onto the skin. Their colors can range from light tan to brown or black.
Seborrheic keratoses are not caused by the wart-producing HPV types and are not contagious. They may become thicker or develop an uneven, wart-like surface, which can make them difficult to distinguish from a true wart by appearance alone. They are usually harmless, but a new or unfamiliar growth should not automatically be assumed to be a seborrheic keratosis.
Other skin growths can also resemble warts, including certain moles and skin cancers. The American Academy of Dermatology Association cautions that some skin cancers can look like warts. For this reason, appearance alone is not a reliable way to determine what a growth is, particularly when it is new or changing.
What do warts on the back look and feel like?
True skin warts can have different appearances. Examples of features that may occur include:
- A small, raised bump with a rough or uneven surface.
- A rounded or oval shape, although some warts can be flatter or smoother.
- A color similar to the surrounding skin or a shade of brown, gray, pink, or another color.
- Small, dark pinpoint spots within some warts, which can represent tiny blood vessels.
- Little or no discomfort, although some warts may itch, hurt, burn, or bleed when irritated.
These are examples of possible features, not a checklist for identifying a wart. A growth may look different depending on its type and the person's skin. A rough surface or dark color does not, by itself, confirm that a bump is a wart.
How can a healthcare professional identify a wart on the back?
A healthcare professional, often a dermatologist, can examine the growth and consider its appearance, how long it has been present, and whether it has changed. They may use a magnifying instrument to inspect its surface more closely. If the growth looks unusual or its identity remains uncertain, a small skin sample may be needed for examination under a microscope.
A medical assessment is particularly important if a growth is changing quickly, looks like an open sore, bleeds without a clear reason, or does not improve after treatment. These features do not establish a particular diagnosis, but they can make further examination necessary.
How should you care for warts on the back?
The safest approach is to identify the type of growth before trying to remove it. Avoid cutting, scraping, burning, squeezing, or picking at it. These actions can injure the skin, cause bleeding or infection, and potentially leave a scar. Since the back can be difficult to see and reach, it may also be harder to apply a treatment accurately.
If a healthcare professional confirms that the growth is a viral wart, treatment depends on its size, location, symptoms, and other individual factors. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, many common warts eventually disappear without treatment, although this can take months or longer. When treatment is appropriate, options may include salicylic acid products or freezing the wart with a procedure performed by a healthcare professional.
Over-the-counter wart removers should not be applied to an unidentified growth. Products designed to destroy wart tissue can irritate or damage normal skin and may delay the evaluation of a different condition. Ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist about suitable treatment, particularly when the growth is difficult to reach or the diagnosis is uncertain.
What if the growth is a seborrheic keratosis?
Seborrheic keratoses usually do not need treatment when a healthcare professional has confirmed what they are. Removal may be considered if a growth repeatedly catches on clothing, becomes irritated, or is unwanted for cosmetic reasons. The American Academy of Dermatology Association describes medical removal methods that can include freezing the growth or carefully scraping or shaving it away. The appropriate method depends on the growth and whether a tissue sample is needed to check the diagnosis.
Do not try to remove a suspected seborrheic keratosis at home with wart-removal products, scissors, blades, or other tools. A growth that resembles a harmless skin condition may need further assessment, and unsupervised removal can cause injury or infection.
When should you have a back growth checked?
Arrange an appointment with a healthcare professional if a growth is new and its identity is uncertain, or if you notice a change that concerns you. Seek assessment if it grows quickly, changes in color or shape, repeatedly bleeds, develops an open or sore surface, or becomes persistently painful or itchy. A growth that returns after removal or does not respond to attempted treatment also deserves review.
It is also sensible to seek medical advice before treating a growth if you have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or another condition that may affect wound healing or your body's response to infection. A healthcare professional can help determine whether treatment is appropriate and how to reduce the risk of skin damage.
How can you reduce the chance of spreading true warts?
If a growth has been confirmed as a viral wart, avoid picking or scratching it. Wash your hands after touching or treating the area, keep any treatment site clean, and avoid sharing towels or personal items that may contact the wart. If you need to cover the growth because clothing repeatedly rubs against it, ask a healthcare professional how best to protect the area.
These steps help limit opportunities for a wart-causing virus to reach other areas of broken skin. They are not necessary because of a seborrheic keratosis, which is not contagious. The most useful first step for an uncertain growth is a proper assessment rather than repeated attempts at home removal.