Cause of planter warts

Infection with the virus is usually acquired from wet, contaminated floors in lockerrooms, shower stalls, swimming pools, saunas, gyms and other communal places with wet floors. The viruses causing planter warts are common on the wet, damp floors of these places.

The planter warts virus can only enter if the outer skin surface is damaged. Damage caused by scratches, dryness, cuts etc. allows the virus to enter the skin's outer layer of cells. The wart usually develops 2 - 8 months after the virus entered the skin.

Here is an interesting study on planter warts and communal showers: "Communal showers and the risk of plantar warts". The study examined the prevalence of plantar warts among a group of 146 adolescents who used locker rooms. Previous studies have not differentiated shower rooms from locker rooms as risk factors. The study had following results: "There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of plantar warts between the shower room users (27%) and those who used only locker rooms (1.25%). The present study suggests that public shower users are at greater risk for plantar warts than are locker room users who do not use communal showers".