Warts are benign skin growths caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The virus causes an abnormal and rapid proliferation of epidermal cells, resulting in the characteristic rough, textured bump. While typically harmless, warts can be bothersome, and the sight of one bleeding can be alarming. Understanding the unique internal structure of a wart helps explain why these lesions are so prone to bleeding.
The Vascular Structure of Warts
A wart is highly vascularized, containing a dense network of tiny blood vessels that supply the actively growing tissue. The HPV infection triggers the epidermis to grow rapidly outward. This rapid growth pulls the underlying capillaries upward into the core of the wart.
These capillaries become tortuous and extend closer to the skin’s surface than they would in normal skin. They are covered only by thin layers of abnormal wart tissue. This proximity makes the vessels highly susceptible to rupture from minor friction or pressure.
When these vessels rupture or clot, they become visible as small, pinpoint black or dark red dots within the wart. These dots, often mistakenly called “wart seeds,” are actually thrombosed capillaries. The presence of these thrombosed capillaries is often a distinguishing sign that confirms a growth is a wart, especially when compared to a callus. This anatomy, characterized by high-riding, fragile blood vessels, is the primary reason for easy bleeding.
Common Causes of Wart Bleeding
Bleeding occurs when the highly exposed capillaries are physically damaged by an external force. The most frequent cause is simple friction, especially for warts located in high-pressure areas such as plantar warts on the soles of the feet. Walking or wearing tight shoes applies continuous pressure, which can easily shear the delicate vessel walls.
Warts on the hands, elbows, or knees are often traumatized by minor daily activities. Bumping the wart against a hard surface or catching it on clothing can cause the vessels to rupture. This trauma results in the characteristic pinpoint bleeding.
Self-inflicted injury is another common trigger, such as picking, scratching, or attempting to cut the wart. Shaving over a wart is also a common mechanism of injury that can nick the exposed blood vessels and transfer the virus to other areas of the body. If a wart begins to bleed, treat it similarly to any small cut. Applying clean, direct pressure using a cloth or bandage for several minutes will usually stop the flow.
When Bleeding Requires Medical Attention
While most bleeding results from minor trauma, certain characteristics warrant a medical evaluation. Bleeding that is profuse or difficult to stop is a sign that a doctor should be consulted. If direct, firm pressure fails to stop the bleeding after 10 to 15 minutes, professional care is needed.
A physician should also assess a wart if the bleeding is accompanied by signs of infection. These signs include spreading redness, increased swelling, significant pain, or the presence of pus draining from the lesion. Any wart that frequently and easily bleeds without obvious trauma should also be evaluated.
Changes in the wart’s appearance, such as a rapid increase in size, irregular borders, or unusual color, are also reasons to seek evaluation. In rare instances, a growth that looks like a wart may actually be another skin condition, such as a type of skin cancer, which requires a biopsy to confirm. Individuals with conditions like diabetes or a weakened immune system should consult a doctor before attempting any form of wart treatment, especially if bleeding occurs.