Discovering a new bump on your skin can raise a lot of questions. If it turns out to be a wart, your next thoughts are likely: How did I get this? and Am I going to give it to someone else? There is a lot of misinformation out there about warts (no, you cannot get them from touching a toad!). Understanding the science of how warts develop and spread is the best way to protect yourself and your family. Here is a clear look at how warts happen, how contagious they really are, and how to stop them in their tracks.
What Actually Causes Warts?
Warts are completely harmless skin growths, but they are viral infections at their core. They are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
There are over 100 different strains of HPV. The strains that cause common skin warts—like the ones found on your hands, fingers, or the soles of your feet (plantar warts)—are entirely different from the strains that cause genital warts. Common skin warts are not a sexually transmitted infection.
When the virus invades the outer layer of your skin, it causes the skin cells to grow rapidly. This rapid cell growth is what creates the hard, rough bump we recognize as a wart.
What are those little black dots? Many people think the tiny dark spots inside a wart are “seeds.” They are actually tiny, clotted blood vessels that grew up into the wart to supply it with nutrients.
Are Warts Contagious?
Yes, warts are highly contagious, but they don’t spread overnight. The virus can be transmitted in two major ways:
1. Direct Skin-to-Skin Contact
You can catch the virus by shaking hands, hugging, or touching a wart on someone else. You can also easily spread the virus to other parts of your own body. For example, if you bite your nails or pick at a wart on your finger, you can easily transfer the virus to your lips or other fingers.
2. Contaminated Surfaces (Indirect Contact)
The virus loves warm, moist environments. If someone with a plantar wart walks barefoot across a surface, they can leave the virus behind. You can catch it by walking barefoot in the exact same spot. Common hot spots for catching warts include:
- Public locker rooms and gym showers
- Swimming pool decks
- Shared towels, nail clippers, or razors
Why Did I Get a Wart but My Friend Didn’t?
The virus needs a doorway to get into your skin. It usually enters through a microscopic tear, scratch, scrape, or cut. If your skin barrier is compromised—like from a hangnail, a shaving nick, or raw skin from swimming—you are much more vulnerable to the virus. Furthermore, everyone’s immune system responds to HPV differently; some people are naturally more resistant to the virus than others.
Simple Ways to Prevent Warts from Spreading
If you currently have a wart, or want to avoid getting one, practice these dermatological habits:
- Don’t pick or scratch: Picking at a wart releases the virus onto your fingers and increases the chance of it spreading.
- Wear shoes in public spaces: Always wear flip-flops or water shoes in public showers, locker rooms, and around pools.
- Keep them covered: If you have a wart, keeping it covered with a bandage helps prevent the virus from rubbing off on surfaces or other people.
- Don’t share personal items: Keep towels, clothing, socks, and nail clippers to yourself.
- Keep your hands dry: Warts thrive in moisture. If your hands or feet sweat excessively, try to keep them as clean and dry as possible.
Expert Wart Care at Texas Skin Center
Because warts are a viral infection, they can be incredibly stubborn to clear on your own. If your wart is spreading, causing pain, or making you feel self-conscious, the team at Texas Skin Center is here to help.
Led by Dr. Sedrak—a Fellow of both the American Academy of Dermatology and the American College of Mohs Surgeons with over a decade of clinical experience—we offer safe, professional treatments to destroy the virus and clear your skin. Don’t waste time worrying about a spreading virus; take advantage of our same-day appointments and get expert care today.
Schedule Your Visit Today
We serve patients across three convenient Greater Houston locations. Call us at 346-888-4400 to book your appointment, or visit the clinic nearest to you:
- Pearland: 3609 Business Center Drive, Suite 124, Pearland, TX 77584
- Houston: 4101 Greenbriar Drive, Suite 305, Houston, TX 77098
- Kingwood: 350 Kingwood Medical Drive, Suite 150, Kingwood, TX 77339
Texas Skin Center: Trusted dermatology care serving Pearland, Houston & Kingwood, TX.