Inside a wart, you'll find an overgrowth of keratin, a hard protein, in the top skin layer (epidermis). This overgrowth is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Understanding Wart Composition
The core component of a wart isn't an infected "lump" per se, but rather an area of the skin where cells are reproducing at an accelerated rate due to the influence of HPV. This results in:
- Excess Keratin: As noted in the reference, HPV causes an increase in keratin production. This protein is responsible for the skin's hardness and protective qualities. In the case of a wart, the keratin becomes overly abundant, leading to the characteristic rough texture.
- Infected Epidermis: Warts are confined to the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. The HPV virus is present within the cells of this layer, hijacking their normal function and stimulating rapid cell division and keratin production.
- No Internal Fluid or Pus: Unlike boils or pimples, warts typically do not contain pus or fluid. They consist of solid tissue made primarily of skin cells and keratin.
How HPV Creates Warts
The process of wart formation can be broken down as follows:
- HPV Infection: The human papillomavirus enters the skin, often through a cut or break.
- Cellular Hijacking: HPV infects the skin cells of the epidermis.
- Rapid Cell Growth: The virus causes the infected cells to reproduce quickly.
- Excess Keratin Production: The infected cells produce an excessive amount of keratin.
- Wart Formation: The excess keratin and increased cell growth result in the raised, hard, and bumpy texture of a wart.
Types of Warts and HPV
It's important to remember that different strains of HPV cause different types of warts. For example, common warts are often found on fingers or hands, while plantar warts appear on the soles of feet. The underlying mechanism, however, remains consistent - HPV-induced excess keratin production in the epidermis.
| Type of Wart | Common Location | Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Common Warts | Fingers, Hands | Various HPV Strains |
| Plantar Warts | Soles of Feet | Specific HPV Strains |
Summary
Essentially, the interior of a wart is made of skin cells with an excess of keratin caused by an HPV infection in the outer skin layer (epidermis). This extra keratin gives warts their characteristic hard and rough surface.
