Warts are common skin growths that develop when the human papillomavirus (HPV) infects the top layer of the skin. Observing changes in a wart’s appearance, such as it turning black, can be concerning. This change often indicates a natural process occurring within the wart.
Understanding Warts
Warts form when HPV causes skin cells to grow more rapidly than usual, leading to a thickened, raised area on the skin. These growths typically have a rough, grainy texture and may be flesh-colored, white, or pink. A common characteristic of many warts, particularly plantar warts, is the presence of tiny black dots, which are actually clotted blood vessels that supply the wart with nutrients. These growths are generally benign and do not pose a serious health risk.
Reasons for Blackening
When a wart begins to turn black, it frequently signals that the wart tissue is dying, which is a positive indication of healing. This process often occurs because the tiny blood vessels supplying the wart become clotted or are otherwise disrupted. As the blood supply diminishes, the wart cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to their demise. The black discoloration is a direct result of this internal bleeding and clotting within the wart’s structure.
This blackening can occur naturally as the body’s immune system recognizes and attacks the virus, gradually shutting down the wart’s blood supply. It is also a common and expected outcome of various wart treatments. For instance, cryotherapy freezes the wart with liquid nitrogen, causing ice crystals to rupture cells and clot blood vessels. Similarly, topical treatments containing salicylic acid dissolve wart tissue, which can also lead to the constriction and clotting of its blood vessels.
Another method, duct tape occlusion, aims to irritate the wart and potentially stimulate an immune response, which can also result in the wart’s blackening as it begins to die. In all these scenarios, the black appearance signifies that the wart is losing its viability and is in the process of detaching from the surrounding healthy skin. Once the wart tissue has fully died, it typically dries up and falls off within a few days or weeks, leaving behind new, healthy skin.
When to Consult a Doctor
While a wart turning black is often a sign of resolution, specific circumstances warrant professional medical advice. If the wart becomes increasingly painful, bleeds excessively, or shows signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or pus, a doctor should be consulted. Rapid growth or significant changes in the wart’s shape or color, beyond the expected blackening, also warrant medical evaluation.
It is also advisable to consult a healthcare provider if there is any uncertainty regarding the initial diagnosis, especially if the growth does not resemble a typical wart or if new, unusual growths appear. Should the blackening occur but the wart does not resolve and fall off after a reasonable period, or if new warts develop nearby, a medical opinion can help determine the next steps. A medical professional can confirm the diagnosis, rule out other conditions, and recommend appropriate treatment options if the wart persists or causes discomfort.