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Friday, August 1, 2008
Plantar warts – a painful problem for athletes
Central Kansas, KS
By: Mark Stovak
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Photo(s) By: Kyle Danztler/MyActionPortraits.com
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As an athlete who regularly jogs or runs in training, you may have calluses on the bottom of your feet. But if those calluses feel tender when you walk or run, you may have a plantar wart as well.
Warts are small, raised callus-like growths caused when the human papilloma virus enters the body through cracks or cuts in the skin. The viral infection leads to a wart, with a visible central core and dark seed-like structures that are actually clots inside the tiny blood vessels that feed its growth.
Plantar warts are a common problem for athletes because the virus that causes them thrives in the warm, wet environment of a locker room or gym shower floor.
Over-the-counter topical medications applied to warts are often all it takes to eliminate the problem. But if your wart appears infected, is very painful, or just won’t go away, don’t attempt to remove it yourself by trimming or picking at it. Instead, visit your physician for more aggressive treatment.
One choice would be to inject the wart with an antigen, which activates the body’s immune system to fight the viral infection. This safe, effective way to treat warts may require several injections.
Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze the wart, killing the virus. Again, this often takes several return appointments.
A doctor may also choose minor surgery to cut out the wart. This is often followed with cauterization to heat-destroy any remaining virus with a mild electric current.
But it’s important to remember: All warts are not the same. A treatment that works for one person may not work for another.
Prevention is the best medicine!
• The best way to fight plantar warts is to prevent them.
• Avoid touching warts. If you do touch a wart, immediately wash the area with soap and water, then dry thoroughly.
• Change your socks regularly, and keep your shoes and feet dry and clean.
• Avoid going barefoot in public areas. Instead, wear shoes or sandals in public pools and locker rooms.
• Do not scratch or pick at warts because this can spread the virus.
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