HEALTH

Warts are caused not by toads but by an extremely common virus that infects the top layer of your skin, usually through a scratch or cut. The most common way to get warts is through skin-to-skin contact with another person who has warts, or from inanimate objects that have been handled by someone with warts, like shoes and socks, razors, towels and sheets.

To prevent warts, cleanliness is key (an no, we’re not saying you’re dirty!). All it takes is touching a keyboard or sharing shower shoes with a friend on the soccer team. Will you get a wart every time it happens? No. But it does increase your chances. A few tips:

- Wash your bedding and towels regularly in hot water.

- Always wear shoes—your own shoes—when you’re at the gym.

- Don’t share razors with anyone, and moisturize your skin after you shower.

- Don’t bite your nails

To get rid of warts, hit up your local drugstore and pick up an at-home remedy. What you want to do is suffocate the virus so that it can’t spread. A salicylic acid treatment and even a coat or two of clear nail polish can sometimes do the trick. Follow the recommended directions to the letter, and visit your doc if you’re not seeing any improvement.

Good luck, girlie!

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by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016