Warts are one of the most common skin conditions children can develop. Spread by direct contact with HPV–the human papillomavirus–warts may occur singly or in groups on the face, hands, feet, groin, or other areas of the body. As parents, you want the best possible resolution for these nuisance lesions.
Let’s talk about some tips to contain warts, facilitate their treatment, prevent them from happening in the first place, and where you can go for wart treatment in Tuckahoe, NY.
Tip #1 Treat Warts as Soon as You Notice Them
All types of warts–common, plantar, filiform, and more–spread quickly to other areas of the body and other household members. So, come into the pediatrician’s office as soon as you see a wart or when your child mentions one. The doctor will inspect the lesion and suggest the best way to treat it.
Tip #2 Keep Your Household Clean
Make sure your child does not share towels, socks, and sports equipment–even with other family members. The virus which causes warts spreads via direct contact with the wart or via hard and soft surfaces in the home, school, gymnasium, and more. Frequently clean hard surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen to contain the germs as much as possible.
Tip #3 Keep the Wart Covered as You Treat It
This may not be necessary if your pediatrician recommends an in-office wart treatment, such as cryotherapy (freezing), cautery (heat), or laser wart removal. However, if you are using topical treatments, such as salicylic acid, at home, you should cover the wart with a band-aid until the condition resolves over the next several weeks.
Tip #4 Prevention Is So Important
While not 100 percent foolproof, wart prevention strategies can help you and your children from developing warts. For instance:
- Adolescent boys should shave around warts on their faces, and adolescent girls should avoid disrupting warts on their legs and underarms. Small nicks and cuts spread the wart virus to other body areas.
- Never share towels, nail clippers, combs, files, tweezers, or deodorant with other family members or friends. Each household member should have his or her own skin products and grooming aids.
- Wash hands often and thoroughly.
- Never touch another person’s warts.
- Don’t go barefoot outside, poolside, or in the locker room. Instead, have kids wear sandals or flip flops, and clean these frequently.
- Discourage nail biting as this causes micro tears in the cuticle, creating an easy entry for HPV.
The Best Wart Treatment for Kids in Tuckahoe, NY
At Village Pediatric Group, our board-certified pediatricians and their professional team wish to support families in good health habits and quick treatment of skin conditions, such as warts. If you think your child has a wart or has one which will not resolve, come see us in our Tuckahoe, NY, office. We will be pleased to take a look, review your youngster’s health history, and recommend the best method to eliminate warts for good.
To know more about our comprehensive services, call us today at (914) 771-7070, or request an online visit by filling in our convenient appointment request form.