Sunday, May 17, 2009

Keep Plantar Warts From Spreading or Infecting Others

By Willis Green

Did You Know? Warts rank as the most common of all skin infections; and seven to ten percent of all Americans have them. Plantar warts are specifically found on the underside of the foot - the plantar area.

Warts Are Caused By A Virus HPV -- the Human Papilloma Virus -- causes all warts, including foot warts. You many not see the first lesion for 1 - 20 months after initial infection, due the the lengthy incubation period. Even with a healthy immune system, the virus can live for up to two years inside your body.

How/Where Did Exposure Occur? HPV thrives in warm moist areas, like public showers, locker rooms, or around swimming pools. You may have picked it up just by sharing someone else's socks or sandals. Tiny breaks in the skin that you were likely unaware of, are the most likely entry point for the virus.

Why Treat a Plantar Wart Anyway? Here's why:

- To eliminate the accompanying pain: foot pain, back pain, leg pain

- Embarrassment: resume the activities you curtailed because of your embarrassment

- Spreading the infection: not only to other parts of your own body, but to other people as well

Medical Treatments For the above reasons, most medical doctors recommend eliminating the actual lesions, even though the virus itself may live on. Antiviral agents are rarely recommended. Doctors may suggest the following:

- Cryotherapy or Freezing - per one study, this was less effective than remedies using 'duct-tape'

- Topical Treatment -- the warts are eaten away by applications of acids, such as salicylic acid

- Surgeries -- expensive options for sure; laser surgery being the latest technique

Natural & Alternative Treatments There are many alternative treatments that are proven to be quite safe and effective. Some cures are variations of the 'duct-tape' cure. Most are far less expensive that traditional medical procedures. Natural treatments require persistence, patience, and may take longer than other, more expensive, remedies.

Cautions Use common sense. See your doctor if you have been diagnosed with diabetes or circulatory problems. He or she will help you select an appropriate treatment.

Conclusion Eliminate the warts to reduce pain and embarrassment -- and to keep them from spreading. Carefully avoid re-exposure to the virus. Keep your immune system strong ? it?s your best defense.. - 14130

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