Warts are more than just a skin issue – they’re caused by a contagious virus that can easily spread from one person to another. Whether it’s through direct skin contact or shared surfaces, the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes warts is surprisingly persistent. This is why many patients at City Dermatology Clinic ask whether warts can be caught from others – and how to stop them from spreading after removal.
How Warts Spread from Person to Person
Warts are caused by specific strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through tiny cuts or broken skin. Once inside, the virus causes the top layer of skin to grow faster than normal, forming a wart.
You can catch warts through:
- Direct skin-to-skin contact, especially on hands or feet
- Shared surfaces like changing room floors, gym equipment, yoga mats, or poolside tiles
- Shared personal items – towels, socks, razors, or shoes
- Nail biting or skin picking, which increases entry points for the virus
Children, teenagers, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to catch and spread warts. And because the virus can survive on surfaces for hours (or longer in moist areas), it’s easy to pick up without realising.
Can You Catch Warts After Removal? What to Know
Even after a wart has been removed, the surrounding skin may still carry traces of the virus for a short period – especially if the wart wasn’t completely excised or the area is still healing.
Key points to understand:
- Warts are less contagious once removed, but hygiene during healing is important
- The treated area should be kept clean, covered, and dry while it heals
- Avoid scratching or touching the area, as this can spread the virus to nearby skin
- Sharing towels, socks, or footwear during recovery is best avoided
If a wart was large, deeply rooted, or part of a cluster, there’s a chance other HPV-affected skin cells remain nearby – so early treatment and follow-up monitoring reduce the risk of it returning or spreading further.
How to Prevent Warts from Spreading
Whether you’re trying to avoid catching warts or stop them from spreading to others, these prevention tips can help:
- Wash hands regularly, especially after touching a wart or applying treatment
- Keep warts covered with a breathable dressing or plaster, especially in public places
- Don’t share personal items like socks, towels, nail clippers, or gym gear
- Wear flip-flops or pool shoes in communal showers and changing rooms
- Avoid picking or scratching warts, as this spreads the virus
- Disinfect shared surfaces at home if a family member has a wart outbreak
Removing warts early, particularly in children or those prone to recurrence, is one of the most effective ways to prevent them from spreading to others – or returning in the same area.
