Innumerable flat warts on the forehead of a child.

FLAT WARTS

Flat warts (FW) represent a superficial infection of the skin by human papillomavirus (HPV). It is common in children and on the legs of women who shave. See also Warts.

Clinical

Multiple flat-topped, flesh-colored papules are typical. Their distribution is grouped and assymetric, helping to distinguish them from seborrheic keratosis in the adult. FWs tend to occur on sun-exposed skin, e.g. the dorsa of the hands or the forehead. It appears the immune suppressive nature of sunlight predisposes to flat wart infection.

Shaving the legs or beard area can cause multiple lesions through auto-innoculation. Linear FWs are common. In some cases, the lesions are brown and resemble nevi.

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