Warts And Plantar Warts: What Increases Your Risk

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What Increases Your Risk

Risk factors you cannot control

Risk factors you cannot control include:

• How well your immune system responds to infection by a human papillomavirus. When a virus enters the body, the immune system creates antibodies to help destroy the virus. An impaired immune system puts you at greater risk for warts.
• Your age. Warts occur most often in children and young adults.¹ As you get older, you may find that you get fewer warts or your warts go away. Warts are less common among older people, perhaps because people develop immunity to human papillomaviruses over time.¹

Risk factors you can control

Try to avoid the following risk factors:

• Walking barefoot on moist surfaces, as in public showers, locker rooms, and around swimming pool areas.
• Sharing towels, razors, and other personal items with a person who has warts.
• Touching warts on yourself or someone else.
• Biting your nails or cuticles.
• Wearing closed or tight shoes that cause sweaty feet.

Last updated:	September 11, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC