How does one acquire warts on their hands and/or feet? How are warts spread?

[theterminator5476]

I've read a couple posts concerning warts on your hands (whether they be common warts or flat warts) and plantar warts (warts you get at the bottom of your feet).

These were both comments that were said by Dr. Alan Rockoff, M.D. in the Dermatology Forum:

"Despite all the folklore (that you catch warts from showers, locker rooms, and pools, etc.), warts are generally not contagious.  They go away eventually if you leave them alone, but that can take years, and if they're painful to walk on, treatment (freezing, acid) makes sense."

and

"As to contagion, they [warts] basically aren't.  If they were, wouldn't you have them all over your body (and those of people you touch) by now?"


So, my question is simple: If these statements are true, then how the heck do we get warts on our hands or feet in the first place?????

Can anyone help answer this question?  Thanks.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

If you are referring to the common, flat, and plantar warts, they are much less likely to spread from person to person.  It is the nature of the virus to be shed off if the host cell dies. However, the level of contagiousness depends on which virus is responsible and the host. If the host is immunocompromised,  there is an increased chance of acquiring this. If you are referring to the genital warts, then this is more contagious than the other types.

Hope this helps. Take care.

[theterminator5476]

OK thanks Rowena, last question... are warts ALWAYS shedding the virus? i.e. if i have a wart and i touch something with that wart it ALWAYS leaves virus particles behind for other people to potentially get infected with?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

1. yes,  they can acquire the virus especially if they have some breaks on their skin

2. they may  occur more easily if the skin has been damaged in some way and if the patient has weakened immune system.

This link may be helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus

Take care and regards.

[theterminator5476]

Hi Dr. Rowena,

I appreciate your reply and it does help a lot.  I guess I should have been more clear though.  I was looking for more concrete examples concerning how the wart virus is actually contracted.

1. OK, like you say, "Because of this viral nature, warts could be passed from person to person, sometimes indirectly."

What do you mean 'indirectly'?  Does the virus become airborne? How exactly does it pass from person to person?  What is actually happening?  Like for instance, if the virus is shedding on my hand then I shake another person's hand, that's when they can acquire the virus especially if they have some breaks on their skin making it easier for the virus to enter?  

2. "However, the risk of catching hand, foot, or flat warts from another person is small."

Why?  Because the virus rarely sheds and therefore if we come into contact with a wart that's on another person (say via handshake or whatever) then that is what accounts for the small chance?

"Some people get warts depending on how often they are exposed to the virus."

What are actual concrete examples of how people are exposed?

Scenario 1: The virus is shedding on my hand, I wipe it with a towel, the virus is on the towel for however long a virus can survive without a host, then person B rubs the same towel on their hand not long after I've used it.  Then voila, they've contracted the virus assuming the virus had a chance to enter a break in their skin.

Scenario 2: The virus is shedding on someone's foot with plantar warts, then I happen to immediately step on the spots that they did with the virus particles on it (assuming I have breaks in my skin making it easier for the virus to enter) then voila, I've contracted the virus that causes foot warts.

I guess the bottom line is, I want to know the actual nature of the virus itself.  How do we actually contract it?  How does the virus work?

Thanks.  

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

Warts are benign skin growths caused by human papilloma virus infection in the top layer of the skin. Because of this viral nature, warts could be passed from person to person, sometimes indirectly. The time from the first contact to the time the warts have grown large enough to be seen is often several months. However, the risk of catching hand, foot, or flat warts from another person is small. Some people get warts depending on how often they are exposed to the virus. They occur more easily if the skin has been damaged in some way and if the patient has weakened immune system. Recurrent warts may happen because the old warts may shed virus into the surrounding skin before they were treated or resolved. It is also in their nature to disappear without treatment over a period of several months to years.

I hope this helps. Take care and regards.