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13
Plantar warts are not always recognised until pain is experienced
and it seems reasonable to suggest that the condition
may be infectious before this point is reached. This argues the
need to prohibit all forms of barefoot physical activity in
schools, a policy which has been constantly advocated by the
School Health Service in Croydon for many years. It is claimed,
however, that such a policy is impractical on both educational
and social grounds. It must be admitted that opportunities for
the spread of the condition will still exist at swimming baths
and in school showers even if children wear plimsolls in the
gymnasium but when plantar warts are prevalent in an area it
seems sensible to reduce the opportunities for spread to a
minimum.
A number of disinfectants have been advocated in the control
or eradication of the problem: The popularity of particular
products seems to vary with the efficiency of their sales
organisations. Some of the claims which have been made certainly
seem to be encouraging but it would be unwise to regard disinfectants
as an alternative to other methods of prevention. It
would be preferable to use them only as an additional safeguard.
The recent history of disinfectants, antiseptics and antibiotics
hardly justifies the hopes of the lay public that such products
are the final or even complete answer to diseases caused by
micro-organisms.
In any event, children should be taught to wear well fitting
shoes and socks in order to protect the skin, and to wash the
feet every night at home particularly after physical education,
games and swimming.
Dr. Simmonds has drawn attention to the prevalence of
athlete's foot (Tinea pedis) especially in New Addington and
Dr. Roberts has noted its frequency in the Eastern area of the
Borough. This condition is characterised by scaling of the skin
between the toes and can be so common in senior schoolboys that
it might almost be regarded an an acceptable variation from the
normal. Laboratory tests have identified a fungus in the
majority of cases. There seems little justification for the
exclusion of affected children from games although some head
teachers insist that this should be done. Attention to foot
hygiene is an important safeguard: after washing, the feet
should be dried very carefully, especially between the toes. A
little dusting powder should be applied although excessive
amounts will lead to irritation which is itself a characteristic
symptom of the condition.