What Causes Warts
No, you can’t get warts from frogs or toads. A germ called the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts. HPV:
- Gets into the top layer of skin through a tiny scratch or cut, often so tiny you don’t even notice, and causes an infection.
- Is very contagious and spreads from person to person, or when skin touches something that was touched by a person with warts, such as a towel, or the floor. To try to prevent exposure, it’s a good idea to wear pool shoes or flip-flops in locker rooms. Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do to prevent warts, though.
- Has more than 100 different types. The types that cause warts on the hands, feet and face are NOT the HPV you may have heard about that causes genital warts and can lead to cervical cancer in girls and women. Those who have warts on their hands, feet or face are not at increased risk for developing cervical cancer.
Some things can make you more likely to get warts, such as:
- Atopic dermatitis – People with this chronic and severe skin condition are more likely to get warts again and again. See Eczema.
- Pregnancy
- A weaker immune system – Just like some people are more prone to get more colds, strep throat or ear infections than others, warts tend to be more common in people who have a weaker immune system. That is why warts are more common in kids. Their immune systems aren’t fully developed and they can’t fight the infection as well.
Warts can be itchy, but it’s important not to pick or scratch at them to prevent them from spreading or getting infected with bacteria which can be painful.
Another condition similar to warts is
molluscum contagiosum. Molluscum are small skin-colored or pink bumps, sometimes with a dimple in the center and are:
- Caused by poxvirus.
- More common in children than adults.
- Found anywhere on the body.
- Spread through skin-to-skin contact or by touching towels or clothing touched by someone with molluscum.
- Harmless and treated with some of the same methods used to treat warts.
Next: Types of Warts
