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Common warts are often found on hands.

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Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus and can be transmitted through open sores or skin-to-skin contact.

You can remove warts by leaving duct tape on it for three days or applying salicylic acid to it.

If it still doesn’t go away, you should see a doctor who may treat it with cryosurgery or lasers.

This article by , a board-certified dermatologist with a private practice in New York City.

Warts are growths on the skin that are notoriously stubborn to remove. Although warts are harmless most of the time, they are contagious and often unsightly. In this article, we discuss what causes warts and tips on how to get rid of them.

What are warts?

Warts are the result of a viral infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is possible for HPV to spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, but it would be much more likely for you to get infected if you had a cut or other break in the skin barrier.

That’s because HPV targets the basal layer of the epidermis, called the basal keratinocytes. A cut or other opening offers a direct path to that layer of skin, says Sara Hogan, MD, dermatologist at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica.