Warts are described as rough tumors that grow on the skin. They can be quite disconcerting to the person afflicted of them. Some can also be quite painful, as is the case with the so-called plantar warts - set apart by their lump-like appearance. And others can be quite awkward, as is the case with genital warts: which grow on the most 'embarrassing' of locations on the body.

Warts are caused by viral infections. This explains why they are rather tricky in curing, and why they have a tendency to recur in some cases - even after the best of treatments.

Now a common question asked with regard to warts is as to why there are so many types of them. The answer is mainly because they are caused by different strains of virus. True, it is the human pappiloma virus that causes warts, but then, different strains of it are responsible for the different types of the warts.

As it turns out, there are over (a whopping) 130 strains of the human pappiloma virus, the virus responsible for causing warts. This human pappiloma virus causes many other conditions, besides warts -including cervical cancer, and a number of other cancers affecting awkward parts on the body.

1) Now one strain of the human papilloma virus that is known to cause warts is the so-called 'type 1.' Type 1 of the human papilloma virus is culpable for the plantar variety of warts, which look like lumps with black specks on them. These can be painful, besides being disfiguring. The fact that they affect the pressure points on the soles might also make it difficult for people afflicted of them to walk comfortably.

2) Then there is 'type 2' of the human papilloma virus, which is culpable for some sorts of plantar warts (described earlier), mosaic warts (which are plantar warts occurring in clusters), and filiform warts. Filiform warts, as it turns, are those 'finger-like' warts that have a tendency to occur where one would least desire a wart (even if they were somehow desirable): on the eyelids and on the lips!

3) Further on, we have 'type 3' of the human papilloma virus, causing the other more tolerable warts: the plane warts (scientifically known as verucca plana). These look very much like blisters and tend to occur in huge numbers at once. When they occur on wrists and knees, they are quite tolerable. When they occur on the face and neck, they can be rather distressing; as they are there - open for 'one and all' to see.

4) 'Type 6' of the human papilloma virus is one of the strains of the virus responsible for genital warts. These are warts growing on the genital area - and can be extremely awkward.

5) 'Type 11' of the human papilloma virus is another one of the strains of the virus responsible for genital warts. Combined, type 6 and type 11 of the virus are to blame for almost 9 out of every 10 incidences of genital warts.

These are the top 5 viruses that causes warts.