Warts can be among the most disconcerting conditions. True, many of them are usually not very painful. True, too, that they are very common, and many of them usually go away on their own. But all this notwithstanding, they can be extremely worrying to a person seeing them for the first time. And if you are such a person, you may find information on the classification of warts useful; as you try to come to terms with yours - and know where exactly they fall.

As it turns out, warts are classified according to their appearance and on the basis of where - on the body - they manifest.

1) In the first category of warts are those that are simply referred to as common warts. These tend to manifest on the hands and on the legs, especially on the knees. They are simply elevations on the skin, but with their surface is considerably roughened. Scientifically, they are referred to as verruca vulgaris. They tend to disappear after a few months, even without any form of intervention. But they can nonetheless be disconcerting to a person seeing them for the very first time.

2) In the second category of warts are those that are referred to as flat warts. Scientifically, these are known as verruca plana. They are small, and look approximately like raw flesh in color, with a tendency to occur in large numbers together. Common locations where flat warts occur are face and neck, as well as on the hands ands legs (especially on wrists and knees respectively).

3) Third is the category of warts known as filiform warts. They look like fingers (albeit smaller), growing at the 'wrong places.' These can be among the most worrying warts to occur on a person; to an extent that many people find it hard to believe their doctors when they tell them that they are 'just warts.' It gets worse when you take into consideration the parts of the body they tend to grow: right on the face, near the eyelids and lips - which are also some of the most sensitive locations in the body.

4) Fourth, we have the category of warts known as plantar warts. Scientifically, these are known as verucca pedis. These tend to manifest in what can be termed as 'lumps' - hard ones - and can be quite painful. When looked at keenly, some specks (black in color) can be identified on these warts. Setting them apart also is the location they tend to occur at: normally on the feet, at the 'walking' points.

5) Fifth are what are known as mosaic warts, which are really just plantar warts - but occurring in groups. Unlike plantar warts, whose incidence tends to be limited to the soles of feet, mosaic warts can also be found on the hands.

6) Finally, we have what are referred to as genital warts. These are ordinary warts, but growing in the genital areas. They can be the most awkward of warts to deal with. Scientifically they are referred to as verucca acuminata.