Most parents take precautions to keep their children safe from sunburn and insect bites at the beach, but many neglect to protect them from another common problem: plantar warts. Plantar warts are foot warts that are contracted when the human papillomavirus gets into the body through cuts on the feet. Anyone can get plantar warts at the beach, but they're even more common for children, who often go barefoot. Plantar warts aren't dangerous, but they can be painful and they're easily spread, so it's best to avoid them where possible.
Here are 2 tips to keep your children free of foot warts next time you're at the beach.
Make Sure They Wear Shoes
Wearing shoes is the single most effective way to prevent plantar warts at the beach, as they protect the feet from infection. You may think your child is safe from warts because they don't have any cuts on their feet, but it only takes a small wound or abrasion from sand, rocks, shells, or crabs to open your child's foot to HPV. When you're at the beach, always make sure your child is wearing some sort of foot protection. Thongs are good, but sandals which go over the foot too are best. The less skin there is exposed, the less chance there is of an infection getting in. Shoes should be worn at all times, whether your child is paddling in the sea or showering in the changing rooms. If your child does get warts, remember that the virus can stay on the shoes they wore. To avoid spreading the warts back to the child or to anyone else, either throw the shoes away or wash them on a high heat with an antiviral cleaning product.
Pack Separate Towels For Everyone
If you have a big family, it can be tempting to share towels to save space, especially if you're travelling a long way to get to the beach. However, sharing towels is one of the most common ways that plantar warts are spread. If you one child contracts warts and you all share their towel, chances are you'll all end up with them. Where possible, pack a separate towel for everyone. If you can't carry enough towels for your whole family, make sure you pack individual mini-towels or cloths for drying feet, and restrict use of shared towels to the rest of the body. Alternatively, simply budget a little extra and buy cheap towels at a local store when you're at the beach. You can throw them away before you leave to keep your bags light.
What If They Still Get Warts?
It can be hard to watch your child's every move at the beach. One minute they're wearing shoes and using their own towel, the next minute they're forgotten everything they were told. If your child does contract plantar warts at the beach, there's no need to worry. Simply see a family podiatrist about foot wart treatments. They'll be able to advise you on home remedies and over-the-counter treatments, or remove the wart safely using lasers, liquid nitrogen, salicyclic acid, or surgery.
