Causes of Warts
When damaged skin is infected with HPV, it leads to rapid proliferation of the keratin layer, leading to warts. In general, warts are characterized by clotted blood vessels, and are contagious.
Different forms of human papilloma virus (HPV) cause warts. The virus enters cracked skin and causes keratin in the top layer of the skin to proliferate rapidly, creating warts on the skin. Patients with a reduced immune system are prone to infection with warts.
Viruses that cause warts are contagious. There is the risk of spreading warts through direct contact with infected individuals. In addition, indirect contact, for example, sharing an object with an infected individual, can cause warts. A person cleaning or treating warts at one site of the body, can spread the infection to another part of the body, if the hands are not cleaned immediately after contact with warts. Biting fingernails or sucking fingers can spread warts on fingers. Shaving hands and feet may also result in infection with the virus. Similarly, individuals with cut or damaged skin can get infected easily when frequenting public places such as swimming pools. Genital warts are contagious, and spread by unrestrained sexual contact with individuals affected by the virus.
