Some Facts On Are Warts Contagious

Human papilloma virus (HPV for short) is responsible for the little bumpy growths on the skin better known as warts. Are warts contagious you may ask, well viruses are and this one is no different. Therefore, care needs to be taken not to spread them and to protect others from them. This article contains all the basic information necessary for you to deal with this irritating condition.

The growths which appear on the skin most often are the common variety (Verruca Vulgaris), which are generally found of the hands and fingers, plantar variety which are found on the soles of the feet and flat ones which are smoother in appearance. There are other types which are less common like genital warts and those which grow on the nails. Plantar warts on the soles of your feet can be extremely painful to walk on but they usually disappear over a couples of years.

This virus is definitely contagious but it happens rarely. Conditions have to be favourable for viruses to spread from host to host which is how they survive, and this holds true in the case of HPV as well. The following information will tell you how and where it is possible for you to become infected.

HPV can only spread from one person to another through close physical contact. Even then it can only be contagious if absorbed into the body through open cuts or abrasions, by mouth or other means. Once an infected person has touched a surface, another person can get infected if they have open cuts, by touching that same surface. This condition can spread even faster if the growths are opened through picking, biting or scratching.

Places presenting a high risk of becoming infected with warts are community bathrooms and showers. Good hygiene like regular washing of hands, showering in flip flops, not sharing towels and wearing fresh socks can contribute greatly to reducing your chances in contracting this affliction. People whose immune systems are at peak levels are more prone to withstand infection, because their bodies are capable of fighting off the virus.

There are various treatments and methods to get rid of these growths, but if a person decides not to bother with them, they will disappear over a few years on their own. In pharmacies there are over the counter products containing salicylic acid which can be applied directly to the growth to remove it or a doctor can remove them in the following ways: freezing them off with liquid nitrogen, electro surgery or even laser treatment. Several home remedies have also been tried by many, from garlic, Aloe Vera, raw potato, banana peels and even tea tree oil.

The duct tape home remedy is very famous for removing warts because it has actually been tested on individuals with surprising results. This method requires a strip of grey duct tape to be placed on the growth and left on for six days. After six days, the tape is taken off and the growth is soaked in warm water where after it can carefully be rubbed off with the use of an emery board or pumice stone. These steps can be repeated as many times as required to fully remove the growth. So if you were wondering, "are warts contagious", now that you have the answer, you can go about protecting yourself from them.

If the duct tape method doesn't sound like the option for you there are many other home removal methods for your warts. Make sure you look for the different methods of removal that suit your comforts.

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Still in search of more answers about just how contagious warts are? Get the answers here by reading more about Contagious Warts.