Posted: 7/26/2002 6:08:48 AM EDT
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For the last few days, my right thumb has been bothering me -- the pad of it, near the tip, has had skin flaking off, and the surface that has been exposed is hard and shiny, almost like a callus. Now a patch is forming on the side of the thumb as well. These aren't "wear areas" for me, and I haven't been doing anything differently lately that would cause these areas to change. I am wondering if there are fungi or virii that might cause this. Any suggestions? I don't want it to spread; it looks like how my feet used to get in midwinter in Chicago. Dang. I just found another patch, on the side of my middle finger. Again, not someplace I've ever had calluses before. |
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Sounds like warts. There are a few different kinds. Plantar warts technically have to be on the bottom of the foot to be "real" plantar warts, but they can grow anywhere (usually on hands or feet). "Flat" warts are small and numerous and spread quickly, but usually stay confined to one part of the body. Either way, the simplest treatment is to burn them off with an over-the-counter salicylic acid product like Dr. Schools Corn and Callus Remover. It takes several days of treatments. |
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Warts? Oh crap. This has all happened in just the last three days. It's already covering half the area of the pad of the thumb. I guess I'd better hit the pharmacy and ask them. No, no chemicals that I can think of, other than the usual stuff (soap, shampoo, dishwashing detergent). |
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Warts are no big deal usually. Would you rather have skin cancer? [chainsawkill] I've occasionally gotten one or two on fingers or thumbs. They are easy to get rid of if they're small. I had a big one on the bottom of a foot about 20 years ago. That turned into a big deal. Had to go to a dermatologist 3 times IIRC. He carved pieces of it out, and I had to put some 5-flurouracil cream on it several times a day. Burn 'em off now and you should be fine. |