If you are one of those people who don't wear cool slides into the gym shower room, you are in for a scare. One Texas man contracted a flesh-eating infection after showering barefoot in the gym. (Open in new tab) According to the Daily Mail, the wart, which started out as one, has grown to five, and the wound has opened up. (If you're worried about your own feet, read about five other infections to watch out for at the gym.)

After many treatments failed and months of pain, the unnamed man underwent skin graft surgery using fish scales. Two months have passed since the surgery, but it will still be a month before he can walk properly. The man, a listener of Houston's 94.5 The Buzz (opens in new tab), anonymously sent his story and photos to the station to spread the good word: "Never shower barefoot."

The man was training for a marathon. During a lunchtime session at his regular gym, he forgot his flip-flops and decided to take a shower anyway. Then hard spots appeared on his feet and began to itch. Soon it turned into a wart, which the doctor told him was a benign tumor caused by HPV. He tried home remedies for six months, but as he underwent treatment, the infection spread significantly. Eventually he had to resort to surgery.

"Do yourself a favor and wear shoes in public places with water. 'Terrifyingly, the virus can live on the surface of your shoes for more than two years. Take care of your feet as your feet take care of you."

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