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Warts and verrucae - Management
What advice should I give to someone with warts or verrucae?
- Although warts can be cosmetically unsightly, they are not harmful; usually they do not cause symptoms, and resolve without treatment.
- Warts are contagious, but the risk of transmission is thought to be low.
- To reduce the risk of transmission:
- Cover the wart with a waterproof plaster when swimming.
- Wear flip-flops in communal showers.
- Avoid sharing shoes, socks, or towels.
- Limit personal spread (auto-inoculation) by:
- Avoiding scratching lesions.
- Avoiding biting nails or sucking fingers that have warts.
- Keeping feet dry and changing socks daily.
- Children with warts or verrucae should not be excluded from activities such as sports and swimming, but should take measures to minimize transmission.
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