Top 7 Causes for Warts

Warts are not dangerous in general. However, they are contagious, ugly, and can be painful. There are many types of warts; each type appears on different parts of the body and has a characteristic appearance. They are all caused by HPV, human papillomavirus. However, there are many triggering causes. Here are the top 7 causes of warts outbreaks.

7. Direct Contact with Warts

Warts are spread from person to another by direct contact. The human papillomavirus spread from person to person easily once the non-infected person comes in contact with it. Try to avoid physical contact with someone who has warts and if you have warts, try to avoid touching them. (1, 2, 3)

6. Contaminated Items

If you came in contact with contaminated items of someone who has warts or HPV (low-risk or high-risk human papillomavirus), you may get infected. Try avoiding touching towels, doorknobs, and shower floors of people with warts. (4, 5, 6)

5. Shaving and Waxing

If you have warts, try to avoid shaving or waxing the infected areas. Shaving will spread the infection to other areas of the body, especially if you have genital warts. Also, shaving warts can leave scars. (7, 8, 9)

4. Nail Biting and Cuticle Picking

Human Papilloma Virus can find its way to your body through a simple cut. If you bite your nails or pick your cuticles, you increase the risk of having warts, periungual warts in particular. (10, 11)

3. Sexual Intercourse

Human Papilloma Virus, especially the high-risk type, spreads by skin-to-skin contact, which happens during sexual intercourse. Sexual activity is the main way of HPV spread; this includes oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Even if the infected person does not show symptoms, the virus may be active and spread to the other partner. (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)

2. Weak Immunity

People with weak immunity have high risks for developing warts because their immune systems can’t fight human papilloma virus. What is even worse is that their warts take a longer time to relieve. (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)

1. Atopic Dermatitis

Studies show that people who suffer or had atopic dermatitis are at increased risk of having warts. Their skin barrier is usually disrupted and getting warts suggests that the immune system is weak.Any recurrent skin condition, in general, can be a predisposing factor to warts. (26, 27, 28, 29)