Are the warts on the armpits, fingers, and soles of the feet HPV?

Many people experience the sudden appearance of small bumps on their skin, perhaps on their fingers, soles of their feet, or even under their armpits. These bumps, often referred to as "warts" or "verrucae," often raise questions: Is it HPV? Is it contagious? Is there a connection to genital HPV? Unable to find the answers to these questions, anxiety can build.

This article will systematically explain the relationship between warts on the skin and HPV, as well as how to view them correctly.

1. What is a wart?

"Warts" are the common name for benign skin growths, often referred to medically as warts . The formation of warts is indeed linked to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) .

• Common types of warts :

  1. Common warts : They are mostly found on the fingers and backs of the hands, with a rough surface that looks like small particles.

  2. Flat warts : Commonly found on the face and back of the hands, they are flat in shape and numerous.

  3. Plantar warts : They grow on the soles of the feet and often grow into the skin due to pressure, causing pain when walking.

  4. Filiform warts : These may appear on the eyelids or underarms and are elongated and resemble small granulations.

Most of these warts are caused by low-risk types of HPV and do not involve cancer risk.

2. The difference between skin warts and genital HPV

Although both skin warts and genital HPV belong to the HPV family, their subtypes are completely different.

• Skin warts : caused by low-risk HPV (such as HPV 1, 2, 4, 10, etc.), mainly infect the skin.

• Genital HPV : caused by sexually transmitted HPV (such as HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, etc.), which may cause genital warts or cervical lesions.

in other words:
Warts on the hands or feet do not mean sexually transmitted diseases, nor will they develop into cervical cancer.

3. Why do warts appear?

1. Skin damage
   HPV needs to enter through tiny wounds in the skin, such as scratches on the hands and cracks in the stratum corneum on the soles of the feet, which increase the risk of infection.

2. Contact in public environments <br data-start="857" data-end="860">Walking barefoot in public bathrooms, swimming pools, and gyms may lead to contact with residual viruses, resulting in plantar warts.

3. Reduced immunity <br data-start="915" data-end="918">When the immune system is low, warts are more likely to appear, or existing warts are more difficult to resolve.

4. Are warts contagious?

The answer is yes , but the risk of transmission varies depending on the situation:

• Autoinoculation : Scratching may transfer the virus to other parts of the body.

• Direct contact : coming into contact with the skin of someone who has warts, especially if the skin is broken.

• Indirect contact : transmitted through towels, razors, and bathroom floors.

So, even skin warts are somewhat contagious, but they are not the same as sexually transmitted HPV.

5. Is treatment necessary?

Most skin warts disappear on their own within 6 months to 2 years as the immune system clears the virus. However, treatment may be necessary if:

• Warts are numerous or widespread

• Warts affect appearance and cause psychological burden

• Plantar warts that cause pain when walking

• Warts tend to spread

Common treatments include freezing (liquid nitrogen), laser treatment, chemotherapy, or surgical removal.

6. How to prevent it?

1. Avoid going barefoot in public places : especially bathrooms and swimming pools.

2. Keep skin healthy : avoid damage and reduce the chance of virus invasion.

3. Do not share personal items : towels, razors, shoes, etc. should be used by one person only.

4. Enhance immunity : Good sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise help the immune system eliminate viruses.

VII. Summary

Warts on the armpits, fingers, and soles of the feet are indeed related to HPV, but they are low-risk HPV and are fundamentally different from genital HPV.

• They do not develop into cancer;

• They are primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact;

• In most cases, it resolves on its own, but it may also affect your quality of life.

Scientific understanding and rational handling are more important than excessive anxiety.

⚠️Disclaimer <br data-start="1635" data-end="1638">This article is for scientific and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical diagnosis or treatment advice. If you have any health concerns, please consult a dermatologist or qualified medical professional.