Plantar warts are a result of the human papillomavirus or HPV and this can be contracted easily in public spaces like gyms. These warts will appear on the soles of your feet and cause a lot of discomfort and inconvenience. You have to understand how these spread and take proactive measures so that risks can be minimised.
Plantar warts are benign growths
And they will develop on the sole of the foot. This can be seen as small and rough lesions with small black dots. You will experience pain and discomfort when pressure is applied to the wart. These are also contagious and therefore it can spread through direct contact with infected skin or even contaminated surfaces in places like gym showers, exercise equipment and locker rooms. If you suspect you have plantar warts, you can go to a qualified healthcare professional such as a podiatrist or dermatologist for plantar wart treatment Sydney. They will also advice you on how this can be prevented. When you go to communal areas in the gym such as saunas, showers and locker rooms, you need to wear foot protection in the form of flip-flops or shower shoes. This will essentially create a barrier between your feet and contaminated surfaces so that the risk of HPV exposure is reduced. You need to practice good foot hygiene which includes washing your feet thoroughly with water and soap after each gym session. You have to pay close attention to the soles and between the toes. You have to dry your feet completely as well because damp environments can promote the growth of HPV.
You should not be walking barefoot on the gym floor
Or the exercise mats as these surfaces can have HPV or other pathogens. You need to wear clean and dry socks along with properly fitted athletic shoes so that you have sufficient ventilation and support. Before you use gym equipment, you need to sanitise it by wiping down the surfaces with disinfectant wipes. Some gyms will provide sprays. This has to be done after you use it as well. You need to pay careful attention to where hands and feet make contact. This can be weight benches, yoga mats and treadmill handles. You also need to bring your own towel and exercise mat to the gym so that direct contact with shared equipment and surfaces can be minimised. You have to launder the towels and mats regularly as well so that you can maintain cleanliness. This can prevent the accumulation of viruses and bacteria.
Make sure
To avoid sharing personal items such as shoes, socks, towels etc. with others at the gum as the risk of transmitting HPV and other infections can increase. You also need to inspect your feet from time to time so that you can check for signs of skin abnormalities including plantar warts. It is good to detect it early on so that you can get prompt treatment. This will reduce the risk of the warts spreading and becoming painful. You need to consult a healthcare professional immediately if you notice any suspicious growths.
