Common warts cover pretty much every type of wart except for genital warts. However, different strains of the human papillomavirus, along with several other types of viruses, are actually responsible for the many other kinds of warts that turn up all over the human body, from the face to the feet.
Viral Passing of Warts
Playing with frogs and toads, while perhaps not the most sanitary of past times, is not going to give you warts. In fact, you’re more likely to develop warts from coming in contact with other people than with amphibians. People who already have warts can pass the virus to others simply by touch. Even using something like a towel after a person with warts has used it is sufficient to wind up with a case of warts yourself. Having small cuts or abrasions makes the virus’ job of infiltrating the skin much easier. Furthermore, once you have warts, you can spread them all over your own body, just by touching uninfected parts.
Increasing the Risk of Warts
Children tend to develop warts (which can take several months to notice) more frequently than adults—probably because they are forever getting into trouble that leaves them with open wounds. Additionally, women tend to get warts on their legs while men get them on their face, because the small cuts that shaving leaves is just perfect for the HPV to enter.
Warts on hands may be more common because of a tendency to pick at hangnails or bite the nails themselves. If you have scrapes or cuts on your feet and wander around barefoot at a swimming pool, your chances of developing a wart on your feet increases.
Immunity to Warts
Not everyone who comes into contact with warts is going to develop them. Research suggests that some people’s immune systems are better equipped to fend off the viruses that cause them. Some adults with previous wart experience may develop an immunity to warts later in life.
There are over one hundred strains of HPV, which means that each type may be more inclined to appear on a various body part. Careful hygiene, avoiding going barefoot in public areas, and not chewing on your hands can help prevent developing common warts.
