Counselling customers
As warts and verrucas are caused by a viral infection, they can also be spread to others or to other parts of the body. The virus can spread by direct contact or through contact with a contaminated surface, by entering damaged skin, causing multiplication and growth of the cells. To limit transmission to others or personal spread, it is key to counsel your customer on the following advice:
Key counselling points1,6
- Wear flip-flops or other appropriate foot wear in communal showers
- Avoid sharing shoes, socks or towels
- Keep feet dry and change socks daily
- Avoid scratching the warts
- Avoid biting nails or sucking fingers that have warts
NOTE: Customers who are treating a wart with EndWarts PEN should not cover the wart with a plaster as this may damage the skin.
When to refer to the GP1,2,6
- If the customer has warts on their face or genitals
- If the wart is bleeding, changes appearance or is very painful
- An uncertain diagnosis
- If the customer is extensively affected by warts
- If the customer has a weakened immune system
- If the wart or verruca keeps coming back
Note: This list is not exhaustive
Contraindications
- Customers under 4 years cannot use EndWarts FREEZE
- People with diabetes cannot use EndWarts FREEZE – but can use EndWarts PEN on healthy skin (undamaged and unaffected by diabetic disease) with extra care5,7
- People with circulation or blood clotting problems cannot use EndWarts FREEZE – but they can use EndWarts PEN5,7