Does common warts spread by skin contact?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Common warts can be contagious through skin contact. Common warts, also known as verruca vulgaris, are caused by the human papillomavirus, abbreviated as HPV. Theoretically, common warts can be contagious through close contact, but transmission is not guaranteed upon skin contact and depends on each individual's resistance to the virus. When affected by common warts, it's important to enhance the cleanliness of the affected skin area, and also to disinfect clothing and the surrounding environment. Treatment can be supported by using immunomodulators among other symptomatic therapies. The primary treatment for common warts is physical removal methods, such as liquid nitrogen freezing or carbon dioxide laser treatments to remove the warts, and topical application of interferon gel can also be used.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How to eradicate common warts

Common warts are caused by human papillomavirus infection. This disease is contagious and recurrent. Currently, the most common treatment is cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. Generally, small warts can often be completely removed with one treatment. Slightly larger warts may require two to three, or even three to four cryotherapy sessions, but they can ultimately be completely cured. Clinically, a topical remedy called Wart-Off can also be used to completely cure the warts, although this method may take a longer period. During the treatment period, avoid consuming spicy and stimulating foods, as they may cause the virus to grow more rapidly. Try to avoid scratching the affected area, as this behavior could potentially spread the disease and lead to more growth. It is also important to protect the normal skin during treatment.

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Written by Zhang Jing
Dermatology Department
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Can common warts be pricked with a needle?

Common warts should not be punctured with a needle. The cause of common warts is a viral infection; they are caused by a type of human papillomavirus and manifest pathologically with hyperkeratosis, incomplete keratinization, and papillomatous proliferation of the epidermis. They do not form a cystic structure. Puncturing them with a needle will not only increase the risk of bacterial infection but also has no therapeutic effect. If you have common warts, the most appropriate action is to visit a hospital for treatment with options such as laser cauterization, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, or surgical removal of the lesions. This can completely remove the warts. If there are many warts or they keep recurring, it is also advisable to consult a doctor to see if medication should be combined with the treatment.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What harm does not treating common warts do to the body?

Common warts are caused by papillomavirus infections. This disease is contagious and recurrent, with the most common sites of occurrence being the soles of the feet or the palms and fingers. It is important to treat this disease in a standardized and timely manner, otherwise, it may grow increasingly numerous. Warts that develop on the soles can multiply over time, causing pain while walking. If they continue to increase, some may become inflamed, infected, suppurate, or exude fluid. When warts increase in number on the hands, they can affect work, as contact with hard materials can cause pain. Therefore, it is crucial to seek standardized treatment upon discovering this disease. Although it does not significantly affect an individual's health, it can impact one’s daily life and work.

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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.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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What should I do if new warts grow around the area after freezing common warts?

After cryotherapy for common warts, it is common for new warts to appear around the treated area. This is because common warts are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a type of viral skin disease that tends to recur. Persistence in treatment is necessary in such cases. Treatments such as liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, carbon dioxide laser therapy, or high-frequency electronic ion cautery can be used. The occurrence of common warts is usually related to decreased immune function in the body. Therefore, it might be beneficial to use immunomodulators, such as interferon or thymopeptides enteric capsules, which have certain inhibitory effects. Concurrently, some traditional Chinese medicines that clear heat and detoxify, soothe the wind and balance the liver, along with other topical Chinese herbal treatments, can be used. A combined approach of Chinese and Western medicine often results in better outcomes. It is also important to engage in appropriate exercise to boost the body's immune system.