My Toddler Has Warts
The short answer
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are extremely common in young children whose immune systems are still developing. They are harmless, not a sign of poor hygiene, and the vast majority go away on their own within one to two years without any treatment.
By Age
What to expect by age
Warts are very rare in babies under one year old. If you notice a rough, raised bump on your infant's skin, it is more likely to be a different type of skin growth such as a molluscum contagiosum lesion, a skin tag, or a benign mole. Have your pediatrician take a look to confirm what it is before attempting any home treatment.
Toddlers begin to encounter HPV as they explore the world with their hands and feet. Common warts typically appear on the fingers, backs of the hands, and around the nails as small, rough, skin-colored bumps with tiny black dots (these are actually small blood vessels). They are spread through direct skin contact or touching contaminated surfaces. Keeping the wart covered with a bandage can reduce spreading.
This is the age when warts become more common, especially among children in daycare or group play settings. Plantar warts may appear on the soles of the feet and can cause mild discomfort when walking. Flat warts can appear in clusters on the face or legs. Most pediatric dermatologists recommend a watch-and-wait approach at this age, since warts resolve on their own as the child's immune system learns to fight the virus.
Warts may persist or spread to new areas. If they are bothersome, painful, or your child is self-conscious about them, your pediatrician may suggest gentle over-the-counter salicylic acid treatments or cryotherapy (freezing). Home remedies like duct tape occlusion have some evidence of effectiveness and are painless. Picking at warts or biting nails can cause them to spread, so gently discourage these habits.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- One or a few small, rough, painless bumps on the fingers, hands, or feet
- Warts that have been present for several months but are not growing rapidly
- A flat, smooth wart on the face or legs that is not red or inflamed
- Warts that your child does not seem bothered by
- Warts are spreading rapidly, appearing in new areas frequently, or growing in large clusters
- A wart on the bottom of the foot is causing your child pain when walking
- Warts are appearing on the face or genital area
- A wart-like growth is bleeding, changing color, or looks very different from a typical wart, which warrants evaluation to rule out other skin conditions
- Your child has widespread warts along with signs of immune system problems such as frequent infections or poor wound healing
Sources
Related Resources
Related Skin Concerns
Baby Acne (Neonatal Acne)
Baby acne is a very common, harmless condition that appears as small red or white bumps on your newborn's face, usually around 2-4 weeks of age. It is caused by maternal hormones still circulating in your baby's system and clears up on its own within a few weeks to months without any treatment.
Baby Blister on Lip from Nursing
A nursing blister (also called a suck callus) is a small, painless blister or thickened patch on your baby's upper lip caused by the friction of latching during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. It is completely harmless, does not hurt your baby, and does not need any treatment. These are very common in newborns and typically come and go in the early weeks.
Baby Chin Rash from Drooling
Drool rash is extremely common and appears as red, irritated, or slightly bumpy skin on the chin, cheeks, neck, and chest where drool sits. It is caused by the constant moisture and digestive enzymes in saliva irritating the skin. Keeping the area dry and applying a barrier like petroleum jelly before drool exposure is the most effective treatment.
Baby Dry Patches on Cheeks
Dry patches on your baby's cheeks are very common, especially during cold or dry weather. Baby skin is much thinner and more sensitive than adult skin and loses moisture easily. In most cases, regular application of a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer is all that is needed. If patches are red, rough, or itchy, mild eczema may be the cause.
Baby Ingrown Toenail
Ingrown toenails are fairly common in babies and toddlers, especially on the big toe. Baby toenails are soft and can easily curve into the surrounding skin. Most mild cases improve with warm soaks and gentle care. If the toe becomes very red, swollen, or shows signs of infection, your pediatrician can help with treatment.
Baby Nail Peeling or Splitting
Peeling or splitting nails in babies are very common and usually harmless. Baby nails are extremely thin and soft, making them prone to peeling, especially from normal wear and moisture exposure. This typically improves as your child grows and their nails become stronger. Keep nails trimmed short and moisturize the nail area gently.