Verrucas or verrucae are small lumps or growths that frequently appear in the heels and balls of the foot, they can be painful with a sharp pain like a needle. Most people have them at some point in their life, they can go away on their own but sometimes it can take months or even years
What is a verucca and what does it look like.
A verruca is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are numerous strains of the virus but verrucas are only caused by HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57. A verruca looks like a flat, white growth on the sole of your foot there may be one or more tiny black dots under the skin in the centre. Verrucas are usually found in areas of the foot which withstand a lot of pressure, like the balls of your feet, because of this pressure, the verruca is often flat.
A verruca can appear on its own or in a cluster with several other verrucas (mosaic warts) and they are not cancerous.
Do’s and Don’ts
When you’re trying to stop your verruca multiplying on your foot or affecting other people, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the different ways the infection can spread.
1. Don’t share towels, flannels, shoes or socks with other people in your household
2. Don’t go barefoot in public areas
3. Do wear shower shoes so that you don’t go barefoot in the bathroom.
4. Do keep your feet washed and dry properly
5. Do cover your infected foot with a waterproof plaster when you go swimming.
6. Do change your socks every day
7. Don’t scratch or pick your verucca
8. Do wear flip flops around the pool or communal changing areas.
Treatment in clinic
Cryotherapy (a freezing method) which is proven to be more effective at removing verrucas and warts. The pen we use ensures we can target a controlled destruction of the tissue just around the verruca or wart, it has proven to be very successful and more cost effective than over the counter treatments.
If you suffer from uncomfortable feet which is affecting your walking or
day-to-day life, please get in touch to book an appointment with us.
Photo credit: NHS