Misc

Can hand warts spread to other parts of the body?

23 Apr, 2023 by Dane Raynor

Have you ever wondered if those warts on your hand can spread to other parts of your body? Well, wonder no more because we’re going to explore this gross and slightly terrifying phenomenon. Buckle up and get ready for some weird information.

What Are Hand Warts?

Before we dive into whether or not hand warts can spread, let’s define what they actually are. A wart is a small, rough growth on the skin caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). They commonly appear on the hands or feet but can show up anywhere on the body.

Warts come in different shapes and sizes. Some people have just one while others may have several clustered together. They’re usually painless unless they’re located in an area that experiences friction like fingers or toes.

How Do You Get Hand Warts?

Now that we know what hand warts are let’s talk about how you get them. HPV thrives in warm moist environments so it’s easy to pick it up from surfaces like public showers, swimming pools, and locker rooms.

If you have cuts or scrapes on your hands, it increases the risk of getting infected since there’s already an opening for the virus to enter your bloodstream through epidermic lesions (fancy medical term).

Touching someone else’s wart also puts you at risk since HPV is highly contagious (eww). The virus can even be transmitted indirectly through shared objects such as towels or razors (yikes).

Can Hand Warts Spread To Other Parts Of Your Body?

The answer is yes- sadly! If left untreated, hand warts can definitely spread to other areas of your body (great news, right?). This happens when you touch areas with broken skin after coming into contact with a wart-infected surface/object/person (bring out disinfectant sprays).

If you scratch or touch your wart and then touch another part of your body, the virus can easily spread. This is why it’s important to avoid touching warts altogether if possible.

How To Prevent Hand Wart Spread

Now that we know how hand warts can spread, let’s explore ways to prevent them from doing so:

  • Wash hands regularly with soap and water
  • Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors
  • Stay away from infected objects/people
  • Cover any cuts or scrapes with a bandage (better safe than sorry)
  • Wear flip flops in public showers/pools (fashionable!)

Can You Treat Hand Warts?

The good news is that hand warts can be treated! A dermatologist will typically recommend one of the following treatments:

  1. Freezing (cryotherapy) – The wart is frozen off using liquid nitrogen (it’s like really cold ice cream).
  2. Salicylic acid – Topical acids work by gradually dissolving the wart over time.
  3. Laser therapy – Targeted laser light heats up and destroys infected cells (laser beams are cool).
  4. Surgery – Occasionally a medical professional may have to remove more stubborn warts surgically.

Sometimes it can take multiple sessions before the wart fully disappears but don’t worry, there’s always an end in sight!

Final Thoughts

Hand warts are no joke! These little bumps on our skin caused by HPV should not be taken lightly since they’re contagious through indirect contact.

So next time you spot one much like Pokemon, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching them at all cost if you want to keep things under control.

Remember: prevention is key when dealing with infections like these!

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