Are plantar warts contagious?
The simple answer to this question is yes. However, you should take a deep breath and examine all the facts before you bust out the socks and solemnly vow never to go barefoot again. Plantar warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which, like all viruses, is contagious. It can spread from person to person or from a warm, moist environment to a human being. That said, the strain of HPV that causes plantar warts isn’t highly contagious, and it affects everyone differently. Often antibodies will kill the virus before it has the chance to cause the warts. Plantar warts are more common in people with cuts or open sores on their feet and in people with weakened immune systems [source: Mayo Clinic]. The highest occurrence of plantar warts is in children aged 12 to 16 years old, though plantar warts do appear in all age groups [source: Cooper]. Although the strain of HPV that causes plantar warts isn’t particularly communicable, you shouldn’t take chances. Simple preventive measures wi
