Are Plantar Warts Contagious? Facts You Need To Know

Noticed the rough and painful spot on the bottom of your feet or someone’s feet? That might be a plantar wart caused by a virus. This might make you wonder, “Are plantar warts contagious?” Let’s explore the blog and know how they can spread, and also what can help avoid them! 

Are Plantar Warts Contagious?

Wondering, “Can plantar warts be transmitted from one person to another?” Yes, plantar warts are indeed contagious. Being contagious means that the virus that causes them- human papillomavirus (HPV), can pass from one person to another. 

You can catch human papillomavirus and get plantar warts by:

• Direct contact: Touching someone’s warts

• Indirect contact: Walking barefoot in public areas like swimming pools, locker rooms, and gyms, which are contaminated with a virus.

• Sharing personal things: Using the towels, shoes, and socks of people with warts.

Not every person who catches HPV develops warts, as it depends on the immune system of the person. However, it is still possible to catch and spread them. 

How Contagious Are Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts can’t be easily caught like the flu. However, being contagious in nature, they can easily spread, particularly in warm and moist places. You are highly prone to catching or spreading these warts if:

• Your feet have small cuts or breaks.

• You walk barefoot in the areas used by other people.

• You share items such as towels and shoes.

• You have a weak immune system.

Moreover, if you pick or scratch the warts, they can spread to other body parts. That’s why it is advised to leave them alone, keep them covered, and seek effective treatment. 

How Long Do Plantar Warts Remain Contagious?

As per the contagious nature of plantar warts, they can stay for a long period. The longer they persist, the higher the chances of their spreading to others.

Here’s how long plantar warts might stay contagious or transmissible:

• In case of only one small wart, the timeline of spread of the wart is for about 6-24 months without any treatment.

• If there is a cluster of warts, they can stay transmissible for 2-4 years and spread very easily.

In general, untreated plantar warts can spread the whole time, while after the treatment, the virus may remain contagious for 1-4 weeks until the skin heals properly. The best advice is to complete the treatment to fully treat the warts and protect the skin while it is recovering. 

How to Prevent Plantar Warts?

The best tip to deal with the contagious​ nature of plantar warts is to avoid catching them. Consider these measures to prevent them:

• Always wear flip-flops or water shoes in public areas like swimming pools or public showers.

• Keep the feet clean using soap and warm water, and dry them regularly

• Change the socks daily, especially if your feet sweat often.

• Don’t share your footwear and towels with others.

• Cover the warts with a bandage to prevent them from spreading.

• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas as they are contaminated with the virus.

• Keep the skin free from cracks by applying the lotion.

Can Plantar Warts Spread to the Hands?

Yes, plantar warts can spread to the hands and other body parts by touching the foot warts. The virus can more easily spread to the hands if you have hangnails or cuts. Moreover, they can slightly spread from one place to another, even when you are not sick.

To prevent the warts from spreading to the hands:

• Do not touch or pick any warts.

• Wash the hands properly after handling the feet.

• Avoid using similar nail tools on both hands and feet.

Treatment for Plantar Warts

Most plantar warts resolve on their own, but it takes around 1 to 2 years. So, seeking treatment is crucial to prevent them from spreading. The treatment options include:

Over-the-counter (OTC) Treatments:

Salicylic Acid:

• Involves applying a liquid, gel, or patch that contains salicylic acid to the plantar warts, which helps dissolve them. Its cure rate is around 50-70%.

Freezing Sprays:

Professional Treatments:

• Cryotherapy: Involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze the warts, which causes them to blister and fall off eventually.

• Laser Treatment: Uses laser light to heat and destroy the small blood vessels that feed the wart, which results in the death of the wart. 

• Immunotherapy: Involves using a topical chemical, like diphencyprone (DCP), to stimulate the immune system to identify and kill HPV responsible for causing warts.

• Cantharidin: The topical medicine applied to warts to cause the formation of blisters, which helps cut off the blood supply to warts. This leads to the death of warts.

• Electrocautery: Uses an electric current to burn off the warts from your feet.

• Surgery: Involves using a scalpel (sharp surgical knife) to cut the warts under anesthesia and a curette (a small scoop) to pull the warts out.

Important considerations:

• If using OTC treatments, follow the instructions given on the product label carefully.

• Be patient, as multiple sessions may be required to completely remove plantar warts.

• Prevent recurrence by practicing good foot hygiene and avoiding walking barefoot in public areas.

Home Remedies for Plantar Warts

You can also try home remedies, but they can take a long time to show results. If they are ineffective and your water breaks or bleeds often, itches, or causes embarrassment, seek medical attention.

The simple home remedies for warts include:

1. Duct Tape

2. Salicylic Acid Products

• Not as potent as prescription ones, but they work similar way by dissolving the warts using the salicylic acid-containing products.

• The products are gels, plasters, and rubs applied to warts several times.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

• The acetic acid in ACV helps destroy the virus upon contact, and vinegar aids in burning and slowly eliminating the infected skin, causing the warts to fall off.

• Use it two times daily for some weeks, and then rub out the warts.

4. Tea Tree Oil

• Research shows that the antibacterial and antiviral properties of tea tree oil can help remove warts.

• Dilute the oil with any carrier oils (e.g., coconut or castor oil), apply it to the warts, cover them with a bandage, and repeat every day.

5. Aloe Vera

• The healing and soothing properties can help reduce the size of warts and eliminate them eventually.

• In addition, its antibacterial and antiviral effects can help fight off the HPV that causes warts.

• Just apply a fresh layer of the gel to warts, cover with a bandage, and allow it to dry. Repeat it daily. 

6. Epsom Salt Baths

• By softening the warts, Epsom salt baths can help remove them. They can also enhance the effectiveness of other treatments by making the skin soft.

• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts to warm water, soak the affected area for around 15-20 minutes, and then remove warts using a pumice stone.

Who is at Risk of Developing Plantar Warts?

Though anyone can develop plantar warts, the following categories of people need to be careful, as they are more prone to catching them:

• Children or teenagers

• Individuals living with autoimmune disease.

• People with a weak immune system

• Individuals over 65 years of age

• People who had previously been diagnosed with warts

• White people

Final Thoughts

Are plantar warts contagious can be your concern if you or someone develops them. Indeed, they can spread from one person to another through touching the warts, sharing personal items, and using HPV-affected public areas. The best idea is to follow proper hygiene and preventive tips to reduce the risk of catching or spreading it. However, if warts break, bleed, or cause discomfort, consult a healthcare provider for medical treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions