Are All Warts Caused by HPV?

Yes, all warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Whether it's a common wart on your hand, a plantar wart on your foot, or a flat wart on your face, every single one comes from an HPV infection. But here's what surprises most people: there are over 100 different types of HPV, and each type tends to cause warts in specific places on your body.

Different HPV Types, Different Warts

Not all HPV strains are the same. Different types of HPV cause different types of warts:

Common warts (those rough bumps on your hands) are usually caused by HPV types 2 and 4. Plantar warts (on the bottom of your feet) come from HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27, and 57. Flat warts (smooth, small bumps often on the face) are caused by HPV types 3 and 10. Genital warts are caused by HPV types 6 and 11, which account for about 90% of cases.

The type of HPV determines where the wart appears and what it looks like.

The Cancer Confusion

Here's a common misconception that causes unnecessary worry: the HPV types that cause warts are not the same types that cause cancer. HPV types fall into two categories—low-risk and high-risk.

Low-risk types like HPV 6 and 11 cause genital warts but rarely lead to cancer. High-risk types like HPV 16 and 18 can cause cervical and other cancers but don't typically cause visible warts. These are two separate groups of HPV strains with different effects on the body.

If you have a common wart or plantar wart, it doesn't mean you're at increased risk for cancer. The strains are simply different.

Why This Matters for Treatment

Understanding that warts come from HPV helps explain a few important things:

Warts are contagious because HPV spreads through direct contact or shared surfaces like towels. You can spread warts to other parts of your body by touching them. In 90% of cases, your immune system clears HPV within two years, which is why warts sometimes disappear on their own. Treatment focuses on removing the wart tissue and helping your immune system fight the virus.

The HPV vaccine protects against certain high-risk cancer-causing types and some genital wart-causing types, but it doesn't prevent common or plantar warts.

When to See a Dermatologist

See a dermatologist if warts spread despite treatment, cause pain or bleeding, appear on your face or genitals, or if you have a weakened immune system. A dermatologist can confirm it's actually a wart and recommend the most effective treatment for your specific type.