What Causes Warts on Hands and How are They Spread?

behealthy February 10, 2013 0
What Causes Warts on Hands and How are They Spread?

Warts are extremely common with people of all ages and backgrounds. Since these are seen so frequently, most people assume they are just a normal part of life. While they aren’t bad for your health, it’s always nice to know a little bit more about these and how they work. Knowledge of warts can help you prevent spreading them and might help you avoid getting them as well!

What Causes Warts on Hands?

Warts are caused by a virus that develops on the skin’s very top layer. When the infection hits the skin, the HPV virus will start to cause extreme growth in the skin cells. This results in a wart developing over a very short amount of time, which is why they come out of nowhere for most people. Anyone can get warts on their hands just by touching something that has HPV on it. For example, someone else’s hand, doorknobs, keyboards, hand rails, etc., are all common places where the virus can live. Although certain strains of HPV are more likely to develop on the hands, that doesn’t mean it’s hard to come in contact with them. Since you use your hands for most things on a daily basis, they are most susceptible for contracting warts.


You could come in contact with the virus at any point and that can live on your skin for quite some time. Some people will develop lesions right away while others will take months to grow. Generally touching someone else’s skin is the easiest way to develop warts, especially if they have warts themselves. Once the infection starts to grow on the top layer of the skin, the wart will show pretty quickly. The cells will raise the skin and change the color of the wart in most cases.

How are Hand Warts Spread?

Anyone who has the virus on them can spread it simply through touching different things. Even if you shake someone’s hand that has HPV you can get a wart from them. There are endless ways to contract the virus, so it’s extremely difficult to avoid it. One of the best things you can do is use antibacterial lotion and wash your hands regularly throughout the day. Although you can’t avoid touching surfaces that have this virus, you can do your part to make sure you don’t spread it any further.

It’s also important to cover up any cuts or scrapes you might have on your hands. This makes the skin a lot more susceptible to contracting the virus and getting lesions. By using bandages you may be able to avoid warts developing, especially if you come in contact with someone else who has cut skin.

A weak immune system can also mean developing skin warts more easily. Taking vitamins and supplements on a regular basis can strengthen your immune system and help you avoid getting warts, even if you come in contact with the virus. Eating healthy can also help boost your immune system and provide your body with essential vitamins and nutrients.

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