Warts are ugly-but harmless. They're benign tumors that are caused by a virus, and they're only slightly contagious.

Common warts have a rounded, rough surface and most often crop up on your hands. Sometimes, they're just slightly darker than your skin. Occasionally, a constellation of warts develops around a central wart.

Unlike common warts, plantar warts almost always appear on the soles of the feet-and they hurt. Because you can't avoid putting pressure on this kind of wart when you stand or walk, the only way to relieve pain is to wear a protective pad or have the wart removed.

Like other warts, plantar warts are slightly contagious and can be spread wherever communal bathing occurs-like locker rooms. So the only way to prevent plantar warts is to avoid walking barefoot in those areas. And, obviously, don't touch anyone else's feet if they have plantar warts.

If you're lucky, warts will disappear by themselves. But they generally require some sort of treatment. Chemicals such as salicylic acid or lactic acid are popular over-the-counter treatments (and are available in higher concentrations by prescription). Follow directions to the letter if you decide to apply one of these products; if they're not used correctly, they can damage normal skin.

Your doctor can remove warts safely using one of the following methods.