Common warts appear on the skin as a result of infection and are highly contagious (they spread through touch). This is how you can easily spread them to other parts of your body as well. Moreover, when you touch them, they can become infected, which would worsen the situation.
Infection occurs through contact
Generally, common warts are caused by HPV. The human papillomavirus can occur in more than 150 different types. Only some of them are spread through sexual intercourse. The rest of its varieties are spread by skin contact.
The use of towels or intimate garments without taking precautions is a possible means of contagion. In most cases, the virus is transmitted through damaged skin, such as scrapes, cuts, etc.
However, not everyone infected with HPV exhibits warts, as they may carry the virus without showing symptoms. The growth of warts is very slow and can take several months, even years to develop.
How to prevent infection?
Those at highest risk of getting warts are children and young people, as they may not have developed defenses against the virus.
Also included in this group are those with weakened immune systems, such as a person who has undergone a transplant or someone with HIV.
There are different practices that can help you avoid infection. If you implement them as habits, you would be more protected.
- Do not touch a wart, regardless of whether it is yours or someone else’s. Avoiding direct contact with warts is crucial.
- Never pull or cut a wart, as it can complicate the infection or spread the virus to other parts of your body.
- Do not scrape the wart with a nail file, pumice stone, or the nail clippers that you usually use on other parts of your body. If you want to do this, use a nail file that you can discard afterwards.
- Do not bite your fingernails. By removing the skin around your nails, you weaken that area and spread the virus. Warts spread more easily on skin with cracks.
- When you are bathing, be very careful and meticulous. Do not brush or shave the area where the wart is. If you need to shave the area, it is recommended to use an electric razor.
- If you have a cut, scratch, or a wound, disinfect it well with soap and water. These areas are most vulnerable to contagion.
- If you go to a public shower, locker room, or shared pool, it is advisable to use some type of water-resistant footwear, like sandals or flip-flops, to avoid the spread of warts and other diseases.
- Warts on the feet should be kept dry, as being damp can promote contagion.
Lastly, it’s important to wash your hands carefully after handling your own warts, whether you touch them accidentally or while applying your treatment.
These were some tips to help you know how to deal with HPV. However, there is much more you need to do if you really want to get rid of HPV and warts forever.
What you need to do is GET RID OF THE ROOT of the problem.
For that reason, I recommend you to look into Dr. Kirkland's story and how he was able to cure HPV and get rid of warts for good.
I wish you great success in your recovery!
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/are-warts-contagious
- https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/warts.html
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/warts
Medically reviewed by Dr. Amy Wilson. Dr. Amy Wilson, born in the United States, obtained her medical degree from Lincoln University School of Medicine. Specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, she’s dedicated 15 years to women’s health, becoming a distinguished gynecologist and serving in various U.S. medical institutions.