Small, usually painless growths on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are harmless but can be disfiguring and embarrassing. When present on the feet they can cause pain with walking. There are multiple types: Common warts are typically found on the hands; flat warts occur on the face; genital warts are found in the pubic area, between the legs, in the vagina and rectum; plantar warts occur on the bottom of the feet; subungual and periungual warts are found under and around the nails of the fingers and toes. The HPV virus is spread from person to person. Infection can also occur by touching a towel or other object that contains the virus.