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What Are the Main Causes of Warts in Children?

Patrick Lynch
Patrick Lynch

The human papilloma virus (HPV), which is extremely infectious, is the cause of warts in children. There are several different types of wart, but all are equally infectious. The virus can be spread through direct contact with the wart, so children with warts should not be allowed to touch them. Warts can also infect an individual without direct contact, however. The best treatment for warts may be a special wart cream, surgical tape, and a pumice stone.

Warts in children are areas on the skin that grow much faster than normal. Although they are often found on hands, warts can appear almost anywhere. While warts appear on adults as well, they are most infectious and commonplace in children.

Warts on a child's hand.
Warts on a child's hand.

HPV is the main cause of warts in children, and different types of HPV cause warts that grow in different places on the body. Several million people may have the virus without even being aware of it because only a small percentage of those infected will ever actually experience wart growth. The virus they carry is extremely contagious however.

There are a variety of warts that can grow in children. The most common type of warts can be found anywhere on the body expect for the feet and genital region. These common warts are often spread through wounds when the wart makes contact with the wound.

Childhood warts are caused by the human papilloma virus.
Childhood warts are caused by the human papilloma virus.

Flat warts in children are common, and when they appear, it is usually on the neck and face. These are tiny, and some children can develop hundreds of flat warts on their face. Digitate warts are found in the proximity of the hair line and are shaped like a human finger. Plantar warts are found on the soles of the feet.

The warts release thousands of viruses through their skin cells. When the wart is touched, it releases the virus, which can affect everyone who comes in close contact. Warts in children are especially contagious because children are often unable to resist the urge to scratch or bite them. Children sometimes rub the warts too vigorously which causes the warts to bleed. This only makes the wart more infectious.

It is also possible for warts in children to infect people indirectly. The wart virus can lie dormant on the floor of a bathroom or at the bottom of the swimming pool. Once someone comes into contact with the virus, the person can be infected.

Warts can be removed by using liquid nitrogen.
Warts can be removed by using liquid nitrogen.

There are several cures for warts in children including a specific wart paint that can be found in at a pharmacy. The affected area should be washed thoroughly before the wart paint is applied. The wart should then be covered by surgical tape. This procedure should be repeated until the wart has disappeared. A pumice stone can be used to rub the wart before the tape is applied.

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    • Warts on a child's hand.
      By: Tiler84
      Warts on a child's hand.
    • Childhood warts are caused by the human papilloma virus.
      By: jjoja
      Childhood warts are caused by the human papilloma virus.
    • Warts can be removed by using liquid nitrogen.
      By: Gordon Lau
      Warts can be removed by using liquid nitrogen.
    • The wart virus can live on the bottom of a swimming pool.
      By: careno
      The wart virus can live on the bottom of a swimming pool.