Sylvia Alder, age 12, Keen, N.H., for her question:

HOW DOES A WART FORM?

A wart is a common growth that forma on the skin. Most often, 1t is found on the hands. A virus is known to be the cause of warts. A virus is a small germ that may be picked up by contact with others who have the virus.

Warts form as raised, rounded, rough dry spots on the skin. If you wars to examine one under a microscope, you'd see that it had a heavy scaly layer on top and that there was new growth in the outer layer of skin. Under the wart there is usually soma inflammation.

Warts disappear most of the time without treatment. They should not be scratched open, since this may spread the virus and other warts may appear. Also, a wart can become infected if scratched or picked.

Warts seldom cause any serious harm. Malignant growths or cancers are not very likely to start from a wart.

Ana there is no truth to the superstition that says you'll get warts if you handle a toad.