Are Warts Contagious?

If you have ever had warts you’ve probably wondered, are warts contagious? Well, yes actually, they are highly contagious. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that with a solid understanding of what warts are and daily good skin care, you will be able to greatly minimize the potential for spreading the infection. You can also learn how to remove warts yourself or have them removed professionally.

Why are warts contagious?

Because these small, bumpy, cauliflower-like growths are produced by viruses, by the human papillomavirus (hpv) family of viruses, to be exact. It is worth noting that over one hundred types of HPV warts viruses exist.

You may know from experience that not all warts are the same, though they may look alike. A wart on your hand is produced by a different HPV type than a wart on the sole of your foot (i.e., the infamous plantar wart).Genital warts are another example of HPV warts caused by the various HPV viruses. 

Though most warts do not pose a threat to a person’s health, they can diminish a person’s quality of life by damaging his or her self-esteem and appearance. Additionally, depending on where on the body they are located, they can lead to pain, discomfort, and even bleeding. Genital warts, in particular, can make sexual activity an ordeal.

A type of genital wart can develop on the cervix, in which case genital wart removal options should be explored. This condition can evolve over time and pose a risk of cervical cancer. More information on this topic is available by clicking on Genital Wart Removal - What Are My Options? 

What makes warts contagious?

Some people are simply more vulnerable to HPV warts. As a result, some may develop warts and others may not. And some may carry the virus in their bodies for years without developing warts. However, even those most vulnerable to the HPV viruses can minimize their chances of developing warts by practicing good skin care habits. See Good Skin Care - 14 Ways to Improve Your Skin to learn how to achieve healthier, better skin.

Obviously, healthy skin will serve as a much more effective barrier to infections than damaged skin. Any small cuts, cracks, chaps, or abrasions in the skin, or any of a number of skin disorders can create a gateway for dirt, germs, bacteria and viruses, leading to infection.

When you consider that the viruses causing HPV warts can be transmitted from one part of the body to another and from person to person through direct skin on skin contact, you’ll understand how important it is to keep your skin healthy and clean. Please note that like any of the other HPV viruses, those that cause genital warts are not transmitted by bodily fluids but by skin on skin contact.

HPV warts viruses can also be transmitted indirectly through skin on surface contact.

For example, one of the easiest ways to pick up the plantar wart virus is by walking barefoot in a moist public area, such as a public shower or swimming pool area. The virus can remain active on a moist surface for months. In addition to putting into practice good skin care techniques and methods, use common sense. Avoid direct skin contact with warts (yours or someone else’s) and avoid walking barefoot in public areas. 

Are warts contagious? You bet they are, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend sleepless nights worrying about them. Instead, focus your energy on learning more about your skin and how to achieve healthy, better skin. Follow the guidelines and tips in this article and throughout this website on how to control and minimize the spread of warts.

Maybe instead of asking are warts contagious, a better question might be, how do I become free of HPV warts and enjoy smoother, better skin? You can expand your knowledge by learning how to remove warts yourself, when that is a reasonable option. Or you can consult with your doctor if you’re not sure.