Are flat warts caused by HPV virus?

Flat warts are caused by infection with HPV (human papillomavirus), but flat warts themselves are not the HPV virus. HPV is a DNA virus widely present in nature. It has multiple subtypes and can cause squamous epithelial proliferation in human skin and mucous membranes, leading to various skin lesions, including flat warts, common warts, genital warts, and others. Flat warts are a common viral dermatosis caused by HPV infection, frequently occurring on the face, back of the hands, forearms, and other areas. They appear as flat, elevated papules ranging in size from a grain of rice to a soybean and are somewhat contagious. Therefore, when flat warts appear on the skin, timely medical treatment is necessary, and personal hygiene should be maintained to prevent transmission to others.