Today, our in-house chiropodist & podiatrist, Sarah Kerrane SCPI, Talks us through her top tips on how to recognise a verruca and how to get rid of it.
What is a Verucca?
A verruca is another name for a plantar wart, caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Verrucas are a type of wart that affect the bottom of the feet. To view images of many different Veruccas you can Click Here.
How Do I Know if I Have a Verucca?
Verrucae present as one circular lump or a cluster of small lumps with overlying hard skin or callus and may sometimes contain small black dots.
- develop on the soles of the feet
- are white, often with a black dot in the centre
- tend to be flat rather than raised
- can be painful if they’re on a weight-bearing part of the foot
How Do I Get Veruccas?
Verrucae are very contagious and can be spread through direct or/ and indirect contact.
The most common areas to contract a verruca are swimming pools, gyms, locker rooms, communal showers (direct contact) and also sharing socks, shoes or towels’ with a person who already has the virus (indirect contact).
Verrucae can persist for years if left untreated and can sometimes cause pain.
What Can I Do To Get Verrucae Treated?
There are a number of treatment options available out there for verrucae, though no one treatment can guarantee a cure.
One very good option is salicylic acid which is a cream that is applied to the foot. We use a very strong version of this in clinic so it is excellent for getting at the verruca.
Pharmacies also stock salicylic acid for you to put on at home. This can also be helpful but this is a much weaker form of the salicylic acid than we can use in clinic.
A third option is to see your GP. They can burn the verucca over a number of session using liquid nitrogen cryotherapy.
Verruca Etiquette
Do
√ Wash your hands after touching a wart or verruca
√ Change your socks daily if you have a verruca
√ Cover warts and verrucas with a plaster when swimming
√ Take care not to cut warts or Verrucas with nippers or scissors.
Don’t
X Share towels, flannels, socks or shoes if you have a wart or verruca
X Scratch or pick at warts or verrucas
X Walk barefoot in public places with a verruca