Can a common wart that hasn't ruptured be contagious?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Common warts are contagious even without broken skin. Common warts are caused by an infection with a subtype of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The disease is primarily transmitted through contact with each other, and it is not necessary for the surface to have wounds or cuts in order to spread. Therefore, once this disease is detected, it must be treated promptly and properly, such as going to the dermatology department of a hospital to use methods like cryotherapy or laser. It may not be completely cured in one session and might require multiple treatments to fully resolve. Only after it is completely cured and the source of infection is eliminated, will it no longer spread to oneself or others around. It is important to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, and it is advisable not to keep small animals at home.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
53sec home-news-image

Will common warts grow back after being removed?

Common warts, even when picked off, are very likely to regrow, as they are benign growths caused by an infection of the skin and mucous membrane with the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV. Due to their viral nature, they tend to recur easily. Common warts, also known as verruca vulgaris or plantar warts, are typically caused by HPV type 2 and mainly occur between the ages of 5 and 20. They can appear on any part of the body due to autoinoculation and are most commonly found on the hands and feet. These areas are susceptible due to frequent injuries or prolonged exposure to water, which are common triggering factors. After a wart is removed, the surrounding areas might already be infected, potentially leading to new warts appearing over time.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
56sec home-news-image

Can common warts be cut with scissors?

Common warts should not be cut with scissors. Common warts are a type of viral skin infection caused by the human papillomavirus resulting in benign growths. Using scissors to cut them can easily lead to further infections, so it is not recommended to use scissors to remove common warts. If you have common warts, you can visit the dermatology department of a standard hospital. If the warts are small, you can apply creams containing retinoic acid or imiquimod cream. If topical medications are not effective, treatments like liquid nitrogen freezing or carbon dioxide laser treatment can be employed. The occurrence of common warts is also somewhat related to a decrease in the body's immune function, so it is important to exercise regularly to boost the immune system and avoid staying up late.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
54sec home-news-image

Will common warts recur after removal?

Common warts can recur after removal. Therefore, after the removal of common warts, it is necessary to completely eliminate the virus in the body to reduce the chances of recurrence. This can often be achieved using antiviral medications in combination with drugs that enhance immune function to prevent relapse. Generally, common warts are caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection leading to a type of growth with a rough surface, resembling cauliflower or papillae. During the infection period, the wart bodies of common warts will significantly enlarge, thus it is important to deal with the proliferating wart bodies in a timely manner. Common warts can be removed surgically, by using carbon dioxide laser methods, or treated with liquid nitrogen freezing methods.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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Are common warts and flat warts caused by the same virus?

Common warts and flat warts are caused by infections of the same virus, mainly due to Human Papillomavirus (HPV), but not by the same type. There are over one hundred types of HPV, with more than eighty types associated with human diseases. The types of HPV that cause flat warts are mainly type 3 and type 5, while the types that cause common warts are mainly HPV type 1, type 2, type 4, and type 7. Therefore, common warts and flat warts are caused by different types of HPV infections. The appearance of flat warts and common warts is primarily due to minor lesions in the skin and mucous membranes, allowing the virus to enter the epithelial cells of the human body. There, the virus replicates and proliferates, leading to abnormal proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells, forming benign growths on the epidermis.

doctor image
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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
47sec home-news-image

Can a common wart that hasn't ruptured be contagious?

Common warts are contagious even without broken skin. Common warts are caused by an infection with a subtype of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The disease is primarily transmitted through contact with each other, and it is not necessary for the surface to have wounds or cuts in order to spread. Therefore, once this disease is detected, it must be treated promptly and properly, such as going to the dermatology department of a hospital to use methods like cryotherapy or laser. It may not be completely cured in one session and might require multiple treatments to fully resolve. Only after it is completely cured and the source of infection is eliminated, will it no longer spread to oneself or others around. It is important to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, and it is advisable not to keep small animals at home.