Are Warts Contagious? How They Spread

Yes, warts are contagious. These small, rough bumps on your skin are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which spreads through direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces. While most adults have built immunity to the virus, understanding how warts spread can help you avoid getting them or passing them to others.

How Warts Spread Person-to-Person

Warts spread primarily through skin-to-skin contact. When you touch someone's wart directly, the virus can transfer to your skin. The virus enters your body through tiny cuts, scratches, or areas where your skin is damaged. This is why having broken skin makes you more likely to develop warts after contact.

You can also spread warts from one part of your body to another. This happens when you touch or scratch a wart and then touch another area of your skin, especially if you have a cut or scratch in that spot.

Indirect Transmission Through Surfaces

HPV can live on wet surfaces and objects, waiting to infect new hosts. Common places where you might pick up the virus include:

• Public swimming pools and pool decks
• Gym locker rooms and showers
• Shared towels, socks, or shoes
• Nail files or clippers used on infected skin

Plantar warts, which appear on the bottoms of your feet, often spread through these damp, shared spaces. The virus thrives in moist environments where people walk barefoot.

Risk Factors That Increase Contagion

Several factors make you more likely to catch or spread warts:

• Age: Children and teenagers are more susceptible because their immune systems haven't built resistance to HPV strains that cause warts
• Damaged skin: Cuts, scrapes, nail biting, or conditions that weaken the skin barrier increase infection risk
• Damp skin: Frequent sweating or wet hands and feet soften the skin, making it easier for HPV to enter
• Weakened immunity: Medical conditions or medications that suppress your immune system make it harder for your body to fight off the virus

How Long Are Warts Contagious?

Warts remain contagious as long as they're visible on your skin. You can spread the virus to others or to different parts of your body until the wart is completely gone. This is why treating warts promptly is important, not just for cosmetic reasons but to prevent further transmission.

Prevention Tips

You can reduce your risk of catching or spreading warts with these simple steps:

• Wear flip-flops or shower shoes in public pools, locker rooms, and showers
• Don't touch other people's warts
• Cover your warts with bandages to prevent spreading
• Keep your feet clean and dry
• Don't share towels, socks, shoes, or nail care tools
• Avoid picking or scratching warts
• Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching a wart
• Clean surfaces that have come in contact with warts

When to See a Dermatologist

Consult a dermatologist if you notice warts spreading despite home care, have a wart on your face or genitals, experience pain or bleeding from a wart, have a weakened immune system, or aren't sure whether a growth is actually a wart. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends seeing a professional as soon as a wart appears to prevent it from spreading to other areas or people.

While warts are contagious, taking basic precautions can significantly reduce your risk of infection. Most warts are harmless and will eventually go away on their own, but treatment can speed up the process and prevent spreading.