Can they spread?

Dear Doctor,
I'm worried because my dad has warts on his hands and we're
in close contact. (I live at home, doing dishes etc.) Can
I get his warts on my face? Espeically if I have picked at
a zit or something with hands that have touched objects
he's touched with his hands!? Can I get his hand warts on
my face, espeically if it's touched broken skin on my face?
Also, are treatments for this effecitve, do they leave
scars and what treatments don't leave scars? Could these
warts show up months later? Do hand warts not transfer to your
face? Are there things I can do to minimize the spread of
warts in general? I don't care as much about warts on my hands.
In fact I had warts on my hands as a child but not recently.
But I would really like to know what's the chance of getting
his hand warts on my face. I look forward to your reply.

DDani
***@****

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Although viruses cause them, warts don't generally behave in a contagious way.  If they did, we would all be covered with warts.  The many people I see every day with warts almost never have family or roommates with warts at the same time.  I wouldn't worry much, if I were you.  Besides, warts can be treated in a variety of ways without scarring.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff