Periungual warts cluster around the fingernail or toenail. They appear as thickened, fissured cauliflower-like skin around the nail plate. Warts of this kind can cause paronychia, cuticle loss, damage to the nail, nail deformity (in severe cases this might be permanent), pain and a higher risk of infections with other pathogens. Sometimes they can be confused with onychomycosis.
Nail biting, poor health/immune system, infection with HPV and other factors increases susceptibility to these warts. As with other wart types, a number of treatments are available, including laser therapy, cryotherapy, salicylic acid, and other topical treatments.
