Are Warts Contagious?
Invasions make for great science fiction. Think about all the movies that feature attacks by aliens, by viruses, by futuristic societies, and so on. People are fascinated by stories of having to fight back against an invasion of some kind. Movie conquests may be exciting, but families can face an actual one of a far less thrilling kind when someone gets a wart on his or her foot. This virus can easily spread from the feet to other parts of the body, and even to other family members without the right precautions.
A wart is a lesion that grows when your skin is infected by a common and otherwise harmless strain of human papillomavirus (HPV). It thrives in warm, damp environments, which makes sweaty feet ideal for hosting it. The virus is contagious and spreads on contact. Once one family member’s foot has been “invaded,” there is risk of the bumps spreading to everyone else. The right preventative measures can stop the spread, though.
Keep Warts From Spreading
- Don’t touch – Don’t directly touch or pick at a wart. Don’t clip, shave, or brush the skin where the wart is. Doing so contaminates your hands, feet, and hygiene tools.
- Don’t share – Avoid sharing towels, socks, shoes, or slippers with a member who has a foot wart.
- Wash your hands – Any time you touch a wart, whether by accident or on purpose, wash your hands thoroughly.
- Wear shoes – Don’t walk barefoot, especially in warm, damp places where the virus thrives.
- Keep feet dry – Use moisture-wicking socks to pull sweat away from the skin, so your feet aren’t a wart-friendly environment.
- Keep warts bandaged – If you can’t avoid touching the lesion, keep it bandaged to limit its ability to contaminate other surfaces.
You can stop the spread of warts right in your own home with the proper precautions. While you’re taking steps to save other feet from unpleasant growths, don’t forget to treat the original problem. Our team at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ would be happy to help eliminate and prevent the spread of warts on the feet. Just call (623) 584-5556 to make an appointment with us today.
