What happens when you pick your wart?

Picking a wart can lead to several potential consequences:

1. Spread of Infection: Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Picking or scratching a wart can cause the virus to spread to other areas of the skin, resulting in the formation of new warts.

2. Bleeding and Pain: Picking a wart can break the skin and cause bleeding, which can be uncomfortable and may increase the risk of infection.

3. Scarring: Picking a wart can damage the surrounding skin, leading to scarring. This is especially true if the wart is picked repeatedly or aggressively.

4. Delayed Healing: Picking a wart can disrupt the natural healing process and interfere with the body's ability to fight off the virus. This can delay the resolution of the wart.

5. Risk of Secondary Infection: Picking a wart can create an open wound that is susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. These infections can further complicate the situation and make treatment more challenging.

6. Spread to Others: If someone with warts picks their warts and touches another person, the virus can be transmitted, potentially leading to warts in the other individual.

It's important to avoid picking warts and instead seek appropriate medical treatment. There are various methods used by healthcare professionals to remove warts safely and effectively, reducing the risk of complications and promoting proper healing.