“People can catch warts from toads.”
Ruling:
False. Warts are unique to humans. Toads do not have them.
Analysis:
There are no amphibians that give you warts. This myth has been around for a long time and is probably related to the fact that many frogs and toads have warty looking bumps on their skin. These are glands and do not secrete anything that can cause people to have warts. Although some skin secretions of some amphibians may irritate your skin and cause a rash. Warts are actually caused by viruses.
See other: Mythconceptions?
The kids and I handle local toads regularly with impunity — but the wart idea probably did come from the irritation some secretions cause, as you say. It was thought to be the start of a wart seeing the bumps on the creatures. Putting two and two together and adding wrongly.