No, you can’t get a wart by touching a toad or a frog – that’s a myth. Warts, which are rough growths on the skin, are caused by a highly contagious virus (most commonly human papillomavirus, or HPV). Warts are most common on the hands, but they can also appear on the feet, face, genitals, face, or other places. There are several effective over-the-counter treatments that contain salicylic acid – “skin turns white as [the wart] dies, then you can gently file it down with a clean nail file or pumice stone,” said Doris Day, a dermatologist in New York. “You can treat warts on the hands, feet, elbows and knees – but not genital warts or warts on the face, where the skin is more sensitive.”
