Warts are a widespread problem that is generally easy to treat. However, many people don’t know how to prevent warts from spreading.
Warts are very contagious. Therefore, in addition to the treatment, it is essential to take certain precautions, so they do not spread or reappear soon after being treated.
In this article, learn some essential tips on how to prevent warts from spreading!
Why are warts contagious?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts. This virus is highly contagious and can spread in skin-to-skin contact, mainly where the skin has been broken.
Children are some of the primary victims of common warts, as they are more prone to get hurt.
Moreover, people who bite their nails are also in a group of high-risk contamination. This is because nail and skin chewing can create openings that allow HPV to enter.
Why is it essential to prevent warts from spreading?
Upon noticing a wart, it is essential to begin treatment as soon as possible.
The treatments are several, going from at-home remedies and frozen therapy to over-the-counter medicines, among others.
In addition, seeking the guidance of a dermatologist is also recommended.
Overall, the process should take a few weeks, depending on the type of wart and the chosen treatment.
Even during treatment, the wart remains contagious. So, besides the danger of transmitting it to others, the wart can spread around the body.
That’s why it’s essential to take certain precautions, so it doesn’t happen.
But how to prevent warts from spreading? Keep reading to discover ten simple tips that can help you.
10 tips to prevent warts from spreading
Here are some easy-to-follow tips on how to prevent warts from spreading.
- Avoiding touching a wart is the first tip for preventing warts. Therefore, if you are close to someone infected, avoid getting in contact with the wart. The HPV virus is contagious, and it can enter your body through a scratch or cut.
- Since warts can more easily enter the body through cuts and scrapes, it’s essential to be careful about them. So, always clean and cover the skin that is injured.
- It’s important not to share personal hygiene items to prevent the virus from spreading. Therefore, separating hygiene items like washcloths, towels, nail clippers, razor blades, etc., is crucial if you live with other people.
- If the wart is on your foot, always keep it dry. Warts spread quickly in humidity, so always wear dry shoes and socks.
- Take your children to get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine helps protect not only against genital warts but also different types of cancer that can develop in this area. The vaccine works as prevention before exposure to the virus and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Be sure to treat hyperhidrosis. This medical condition causes people to sweat excessively. This causes the skin to become moist and tender, which can increase the risk of HPV infection and result in warts formation.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Treat your skin and prevent it from getting dry and cracked.
- Do not bite nails or chew cuticles. Doing this causes wounds and tears in the skin that facilitate the entry of HPV into your body.
- Wear flip-flops or shoes when going to places like swimming pools, locker rooms, public showers, and the like. The HPV virus thrives in areas like these that are humid and warm. Unfortunately, your skin also feels humid and tender under these circumstances, increasing the risk of infection.
Did you enjoy our tips on how to prevent warts from spreading? Let us know if this content was helpful, and don’t forget to check our articles if you need assistance dealing with warts!