Warts: Taking your lumps
The virus that causes warts, the human papillomavirus, can lurk in warm, humid areas, such as spa showers and salon treatment rooms. Warts are caused by the rapid growth of skin cells on the outer layer of your skin. Ask how footbaths are cleaned; many spas and salons use medical-grade cleaners, such as Tavicide, which destroy surface bacteria, fungus and viruses. If your spa or salon doesn't provide disposable slippers, take your own flip-flops to protect your feet.
Common
What it looks like: Bumpy, often round growths that usually appear on the hands or fingers but can also form on the feet or face.
What you should do: Try self-treatment with over-the-counter products, such as Compound W or Duoplant. The length of the treatment will depend on the size of the wart and can take up to 12 weeks.
Treatment: If you're not able to destroy the wart at home, or don't want to commit to a long self-treatment, a doctor can use liquid nitrogen, which burns at about -200 C, to destroy the tissue of the wart. Another option is doctor prescribed and applied Cantharone, a topical caustic agent that forms a blister on the skin and lifts off the surface of the wart, destroying it.
Plantar
What it looks like: Plantar warts appear only on the bottom of the foot and tend to be hard and flat with a rough surface and well-defined boundaries. Usually grey or brown with a black pinpoint in the centre, they're difficult to treat because they're rooted on the sole of the foot, which has the thickest skin on the body, and often reoccur.
What you should do: Since plantar warts can be difficult to destroy, self-treatment is not advisable.
Treatment: A doctor can remove plantar warts in the same way as common warts, using liquid nitrogen or Cantharone.
An ounce of prevention...
If sterilization and cleanliness standards are not maintained, your risks of picking up an infection, virus or other illness are the same regardless of whether a spa is lavish or low-end. Those with immunosuppressive diseases, such as diabetes, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, or those receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments are at higher risk and should be particularly cautious.
Lorraine Hamilton, who has 18 years of experience in the field, is the spa coordinator at Jeanet's Spa in Toronto. She suggests using the following checklist to assess a spa or salon before you make an appointment.
Friendliness. You should be welcomed in a friendly, professional manner. You have the right to be informed about a spa or salon's hygiene practices. Staff should be happy to answer any questions.
Qualifications. Look for a spa or salon licence. It should be displayed in a conspicuous place. Diplomas and training certificates should also be visible. Be sure to ask about the experience and training of the estheticians.
Hygiene. Always find out from salon staff how nondisposable tools are sterilized. Confirm that there are no double-dipping (putting a used tool back into the wax) and no double-using (reusing wax) policies to avoid product contamination. Ask how work surfaces and treatment chairs are cleaned, and how towels and gowns are laundered.
Cleanliness. Ask for a tour. The facility and treatment areas should all be clean and orderly. Staff should be well groomed and presentable.
It's expensive to maintain proper sterilization equipment, purchase medical-grade cleansers and hire well-trained estheticians, and these costs are often reflected in higher fees. So the old adage is true: You get what you pay for. Or, in this case, you pay for what you don't get. But don't assume that a high price tag will ensure your well-being. Be sure to ask the right questions -- then just relax and enjoy.
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