What it is
Warts are small skin growths caused by HPV. Common warts often show up on the hands and fingers, but they can appear elsewhere. They may feel rough or bumpy, and they vary in size and color.
Because a virus is involved, warts can spread. The virus may pass through direct contact with a wart, or through contact with surfaces and items such as towels, shared tools, or damp floors. Small breaks in the skin, like a hangnail or a scratch, may make it easier for the virus to enter.
Not everyone who comes into contact with the virus develops a wart, and the time it takes for one to appear varies. Because of this, it can be hard to know where a wart came from. That is nothing to feel bad about. Only a licensed clinician can tell you whether a growth is actually a wart.
How it’s traditionally been approached
People have long tried to limit spread with everyday habits: keeping the area covered, not picking at or scratching a wart, washing hands after touching it, and not sharing towels, razors, or nail tools. Wearing sandals in shared wet areas like locker rooms and pools is also commonly suggested.
Over-the-counter options, such as salicylic acid products, are widely available and have been used for a long time. Results vary, and warts can return. People with diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, or a weakened immune system should ask a provider before treating warts at home, especially on the feet. Facial and genital warts should not be treated with over-the-counter wart products. Cutting, burning, or digging out a growth at home is not advised.
In a clinic, providers have traditionally used approaches such as cryotherapy (freezing) or prescription topical treatments, and sometimes other in-office methods. Some warts go away on their own over time, and some come back after treatment. Whether any option is appropriate is something a licensed clinician decides after an exam. For prescription products, ask your provider about their current FDA status.
How the right provider may help
A visit with a dermatologist, podiatrist, or primary care provider usually starts with a conversation and a look at the skin. The provider may ask how long the growth has been there, whether it has changed, and whether anyone around you has warts. An exam helps confirm what the growth is, which is important because other skin conditions can look similar.
The right provider may help you understand what you have, talk through options, and discuss ways to reduce spread to others. They may also review your health history, since conditions like diabetes or a weakened immune system can affect what is appropriate. No outcome is guaranteed, and results vary.
Helpful questions to ask: Is this definitely a wart? How might it spread, and what can I do about it day to day? What are the options for this location and my health situation? What are the risks, and what happens if warts come back? Is there anything I should avoid doing at home?
The whole-person view
Body, mind, and stress affect each other. Visible skin concerns can bring up self-consciousness or worry about what others think, and stress can affect how people feel about caring for themselves. Being kind to yourself matters, since warts are common and not a reflection of cleanliness or character.
If worry or embarrassment about your skin feels heavy, some people explore body-based support through Somatic Experiences, and others find talk therapy through Therapists.plus helpful. These are options to consider alongside, not instead of, care from a licensed medical provider.
Somatic Experiences: nervous system regulation →Therapists.plus: anxiety panic and ocd →
Keep in mind
- Any spot, growth, or mole that is changing, bleeding, itching, irregular in shape or color, or not healing should be checked by a dermatologist for skin cancer. Do not self-treat it. The ABCDEs of melanoma are only a general guide, not a way to diagnose yourself.
- Warts.ai is educational only and is not medical advice. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose a growth or decide what is appropriate for you.
- No treatment is guaranteed to cure warts or HPV or to prevent them from returning. Results vary, and warts can come back.
- For emergencies call 911. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Frequently asked questions
Are warts contagious?
Yes, warts can be contagious because they are caused by HPV, which may spread through skin contact or shared surfaces. Not everyone exposed develops a wart, and it varies from person to person. A licensed clinician can confirm whether a growth is a wart.
How do warts spread from person to person?
Warts may spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or by touching surfaces and items that carry the virus, such as towels or damp floors. Small breaks in the skin may make it easier for the virus to enter. It is often impossible to know exactly where a wart came from.
Can I spread a wart to other parts of my own body?
Yes, it is possible. Picking, scratching, or biting a wart may help the virus move to nearby skin. Avoiding touching the wart and washing your hands afterward are commonly suggested habits.
How can I lower the chance of spreading warts?
Common suggestions include covering the wart, not picking at it, not sharing towels or nail tools, and wearing footwear in shared wet areas. These habits may help, but they cannot guarantee that a wart will not spread. A provider can give guidance for your situation.
Are genital warts contagious too?
Yes, genital warts are also caused by HPV and may spread through intimate contact. They are common, and there is no reason for shame. Please see a licensed clinician rather than using over-the-counter wart products, encourage partners to talk with a provider too, and ask about HPV vaccination.
Should I see a provider if I think I have a wart?
Seeing a dermatologist, podiatrist, primary care, or sexual-health provider is a good idea, especially if the growth is changing, bleeding, itching, irregular, or not healing, since these should be checked for skin cancer. It is also wise if you have diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, or a weakened immune system. A provider can confirm what the growth is and discuss options.
Educational resource. Warts.ai shares general information and connects people with independent providers. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.