Are Warts Contagious? 3 Treatment Options To Remove Warts

Have you noticed skin or flesh-colored growths on your hands and feet that are rough to touch? You’ve probably been infected by a certain strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes warts. Unlike other skin concerns, warts are a viral infection, making them highly contagious.

They can spread through direct touch or when someone comes in contact with an infected person’s towels or footwear. The virus that causes warts usually enters through a tiny cut or scrape on your skin’s surface. 

If you’ve noticed warts on your body, you might be looking for a safe and long-lasting wart removal method. If you’re looking for a reliable wart removal method, our skin specialists at The Blemish Clinic offer advanced electrolysis treatment to help with your problems. 

Warts are mostly harmless and can be treated completely. Keep reading to learn more about how warts are contracted. 

What are Warts? 

Warts are small skin growths that appear as rough or raised bumps. They’re benign (not harmful), but they are contagious, as they’re caused by certain strains of the HPV. They can appear anywhere on your body, but are most common on the hands and feet.

There are various types of warts, such as common and plantar warts, which are named based on their texture and location.

Are Warts and Verrucas the Same Thing?

Warts and verrucas are caused by the same HPV strain. Verrucas are also known as plantar warts and mostly appear on the soles of your feet. They tend to grow inward rather than outward because of the pressure from walking or standing. 

Other kinds of warts are most commonly found on the hands, fingers, knees, or face. They appear as raised, rough-textured bumps. 

If you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with a wart or a verruca, or are wondering what the best wart removal method might be, our skin experts at The Blemish Clinic can help. 

Are Warts Contagious by Contact?

Yes, warts are mostly caused by specific strains of the HPV virus. They enter your body through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin. Once inside your body, the virus triggers an overproduction of keratin on the outer layer of your skin, which leads to the formation of a wart. 

The virus that causes warts thrive in warm and moist environments, like changing rooms and showers. They’re also highly transmissible if your skin is damp or cracked. 

It’s important to remember that you can pass on warts through contact. If you happen to touch someone else’s wart or share personal items with them, the virus can be transferred to your skin.

How to Treat Warts

With time, some disappear on their own without a specific wart removal method. But other kinds of warts can be uncomfortable and persistent, in which case, you’ll want to get them treated as soon as possible. 

Here are three of the most effective wart treatments:

1. Advanced Electrolysis

If walking becomes painful and you’re looking for wart treatment for your feet, or you want to get warts on your hands and face removed for aesthetic reasons, advanced electrolysis is the best solution. 

This treatment works by passing a low-grade thermal current through a probe on the wart(s) to cut off the blood supply. This will kickstart your body’s own defence system, helping you to heal faster. 

When you book a consultation with us at The Blemish Clinic, we’ll use this precise, safe, and minimally invasive method to effectively treat stubborn warts that haven’t responded to other treatments. 

The wart removal healing process following this method usually lasts for two weeks, during which the treated area forms a scab before healing fully. 

2. Salicylic Acid

Another common wart removal method is salicylic acid. This works by slowly peeling away layers of the wart tissue so you’re left with smooth skin. 

You can buy salicylic acid over the counter at your local pharmacy, and it’s usually available in different forms, including gels, liquids, and patches. This particular treatment is known to be effective for warts on hands and feet (and verrucas).

Salicylic acid takes time to show results and will require patience, with regular application needed over several weeks. While this treatment might be helpful in many cases, certain stubborn warts will require professional intervention.

3. Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a common in-clinic wart removal method that involves freezing the wart using liquid nitrogen so that the wart falls off after a few days. Some patients may experience a slight stinging sensation during the procedure, followed by blistering. You shouldn’t worry; it's part of the natural healing process.

This treatment is particularly suitable for common and plantar warts and is often recommended when over-the-counter creams haven’t worked. You may need multiple sessions, depending on the nature of your warts.

What are Preventive Measures for Warts? 

Prevention is better than cure, and while you can’t eliminate your risk of ever getting a wart, you can take certain preventive measures that will at least reduce your chances of contracting them. 

These include washing your hands regularly and avoiding contact with people who might have warts. You should also avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, nail clippers, or socks with other people. When you use public areas, always wear flip-flops or some other footwear.

If you’ve already contracted a wart, you can do a couple of things to ensure it doesn’t spread, including keeping the affected area dry and avoiding picking at it.

Contact The Blemish Clinic for a Safe Wart Removal Process

If you’ve tried home treatments for warts without any success, you may need to consult a professional. At The Blemish Clinic, we specialise in safe and effective advanced electrolysis, one of the most effective wart treatments.

Our trained skin experts understand the challenges associated with stubborn warts and can provide you with a customised solution that will work for your skin type. We can also treat other skin concerns, such as skin tags, fibrous papules, and seborrheic keratosis. With us, you’ll receive the highest standard of care.

Book your consultation with The Blemish Clinic to discuss your options.