Wart and verruca prevention

Avoiding infection

The following guidelines can help reduce the risk of exposure to HPV viruses and hence minimise the likelihood of getting warts:

• Do not touch warts
  Avoid touching warts on other people, as direct contact can spread the infection.
• Wash your hands regularly
  If you have come into contact with warts you can wash off the virus before it reaches broken skin, so wash your hands regularly, but not excessively.
• Dry your hands properly and use a moisturiser
  Dry your hands and feet after washing and apply a moisturiser to prevent your hands from becoming dry and more susceptible to HPV viruses.
• Do not share footwear
  HPV viruses can be found in the shoes and socks of carriers, so avoid sharing footwear with others.
• Do not share personal hygiene items
  Towels, razors, deodorants, cosmetics and many other personal items can also transmit HPV viruses, so avoid sharing any personal hygiene items with others.
• Avoid biting your nails
  Nail biting can cause breaks in your skin where HPV viruses can enter, so you should avoid biting your nails.
• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas
  If you are a regular visitor to the gym or public swimming pools, wearing flip-flops or other rubber-soled shoes can prevent you from getting a wart or verruca.
• Keep in good health
  Staying in good health provides a strong immune system, which is the best defence against warts and verrucas.

If you already have warts and/or verrucas, it can be difficult to prevent them from spread. However, there are a few precautions you can take to minimise the risk of spreading your infection to other parts of your body and other people:

• Do not touch warts
  Avoid touching warts on other people, as direct contact can spread the infection. You should also avoid touching your own warts, as they can easily spread to other parts of your body.
• Wash your hands regularly
  If you have touched your warts you can wash off the virus before it spreads to other areas and surfaces, so wash your hands regularly, but not excessively.
• Dry your hands and feet properly and use a moisturiser
  Dry your hands and feet after washing and apply a moisturiser to prevent your hands from becoming dry and more susceptible to HPC viruses.
• Change socks daily and do not share footwear
  HPV viruses can be found in the shoes and socks, so avoid sharing footwear with others. Regularly changing your socks prevents the build-up of HPV viruses and other bacteria, so your feet are fresher and there’s less chance of spreading warts.
• Do not share personal hygiene items
  Towels, razors, deodorants, cosmetics and many other personal items can also transmit HPV viruses, so avoid sharing any personal hygiene items with others.
• Avoid biting your nails
  Nail biting can cause breaks in your skin where HPV viruses can enter, so you should avoid biting your nails.
• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas
  If you have a verruca, always wear footwear such as sandals or flip-flops on floors where others walk barefoot, such as gyms or public swimming pools. Wearing a verruca sock in public areas like changing rooms and showers can also help prevent spreading verrucas to others.