Warts appear on various parts of the body depending on the type and the cause of the growth. Common warts are usually on the hands, according to MedlinePlus, a medical information resource established by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A wart is usually painless but they can be unsightly. Warts can be the same color as the skin or they can be either lighter or darker. Human papillomavirus is the primary cause of warts and can be contracted several ways, according to FamilyDoctor.org.
Direct Contact
Like any infectious disease, HPV can be contracted through direct contact with an infected individual. MayoClinic.com suggests that a towel or any other object used by someone with warts can transfer the virus to another individual. The wart might not appear for two to six months.
Broken Skin
An open wound, such as a paper cut, can allow HPV into the body to cause infection. This is a common reason for warts on the hands and even the feet. Friction that leads to sores or blisters on the feet can lead to the skin opening. Nearly any area of broken skin will allow HPV to penetrate the body and cause an infection. Immune system differences in each individual determines whether warts will develop once the person comes in contact with HPV, according to FamilyDoctor.org
Nail Biting
Biting the nails can cause warts to spread from one area of the fingertips and nails to another, according to MayoClinic.com. Like open skin, the nail bed and cuticle are vulnerable to an infectious virus.
