Warts

Warts usually occur on the fingers and hands. They are infections on the top layer of skin, caused by a virus, the virus enters the outer layer of the skin through a tiny scratch, causing rapid growth of cells, thus creating a wart. The infection can be transmitted from person to person by touch. The most common way is direct skin-to-skin contact, such as shaking hands with someone with warts on the hand or from towels used by someone with a wart.

Symptoms

* Small, fleshy bumps

* Rough to touch

• Black pinpoints, which are small clotted blood vessels

When to consult a doctor?

Usually, warts heal on their own and need no medical treatment. But if the wart causes pain, bleeds easily, changes appearance, or spreads to other parts of the body, consult a doctor immediately. People with diabetes should especially avoid self-treatment

Tips for prevention

• Avoid contact with warts of other people.

• If you have warts, avoid direct contact with other body parts.

• Don't pick or scratch warts as it may spread the virus.

• Wash the hands thoroughly after touching warts. Keep your hands dry.

• Do not use other persons' towels, shoes, and socks or items like nail cutters, hairbrush and shaving instruments,

• Cover the wart with a waterproof band-aid when you go swimming

• Do not brush, comb, shave, or clip areas that have warts.

• When cutting nails do not use the same nail cutter on an infected nail and also on healthy nails.

• Do not bite your fingernails if you have warts near them,

• If you go to a gym, clean the equipment before use with a clean towel and wear gloves if you have warts on the hands.