Warts usually don’t hurt or bleed unless they are injured. Warts on the bottom of the feet are called plantar warts. They can be painful to walk on. You also can get plantar warts on the fingers or hand. Warts on the penis or around the vagina or around the anus are called genital warts. 

What causes warts?

Warts are caused by an infection called human papillomavirus. This virus makes a place on the skin thicken into a wart or many warts.

Are genital warts different?

The same virus causes genital warts. They are treated differently, though, because they are on very sensitive skin. Genital warts can lead to certain kinds of cancer. If you have warts on your genitals, see your doctor for treatment. They are obviously contagious through sexual activity.

Are warts contagious?

Yes. Warts can spread from one place on your body to another place if you touch them or scratch them. You can spread your warts to other people if you share towels, razors, or nail clippers. You can spread genital warts through sexual contact. You can catch plantar warts from walking barefoot in public areas where other people walk barefoot, such as, swimming pools, bathrooms or locker rooms. 

What can I do to treat my warts?

Sometimes warts go away on their own after a few months. If you don’t want to wait or if your warts don’t go away, you can treat them with a mild acid solution or patch that you can buy in grocery stores without a prescription.