Verrucae

What are verrucae?

Verrucae are simply warts that can appear anywhere on the hands and feet.

What causes verrucae?

Verrucae are caused by a virus that infects the upper layers of the skin. Just like any virus, the verruca virus can spread to other areas of your feet, hands and to other people and is very contagious.

What are the signs & symptoms of verrucae?

It is common to experience one or more of these signs and symptoms with a verruca -
  • A small patch of raised, hardened skin, with the appearance of a 'cauliflower', usually circular in shape
  • Black dots visible in the centre of the verruca. These are tiny blood vessels that can bleed very easily when the dead skin at the surface of the verruca is removed
  • You may have one large verruca that appeared first, followed by more smaller 'satellite' verrucae or simply one verruca on its own
  • Verrucae are only painful if they are present on weightbearing areas such as the ball of your foot or areas subject to increased pressure
  • Children are most commonly affected. Verrucae in children tend to resolve within a couple of years, whereas in adults they are more persistent
  • Verrucae can appear overnight and disappear spontaneously, without treatment.

Treatment of verrucae

Verrucae are notoriously difficult to treat and can be the cause of much distress and anxiety to those who have them. There are many treatments available, many claiming to be able to remove your verrucae quickly. In reality, everyone's verrucae are different. The smallest wart can be the most persistent and take the longest to treat and unfortunately, there is no guarantee of success with any single treatment. People tend to try home treatments or consult a podiatrist for expert advice and treatment.

There are simple and quite often, effective steps that you can follow at home -
  • Do not pick the verruca as you may spread it around your hands and feet.
  • File the surface of the verrucae daily with a disposable emery board. Do not reuse any single emery board as you will be reinfecting the skin
  • Many people choose to use a specific wart preparation at this stage. Available from pharmacies, most preparations contain salicylic acid in varying strengths. Be aware that this is an acid designed to destroy cells and care must be taken to apply it only to the area of verruca and not the surrounding skin. Diabetics should not use these products or any products containing acids.
  • Cover the verruca with a waterproof plaster. This encourages the skin to become soggy, reducing the strength of the skin and making it easier to remove. It also prevents cross infection to other parts of your feet and to other people. Change the plaster daily.
  • When in communal areas (such as changing rooms or around a swimming pool) avoid walking barefoot. Wear verruca socks or flip flops.
  • If this process is unsuccessful, see a podiatrist for more advanced treatment.

What can a Podiatrist do?

Podiatrists are very experienced in dealing with verrucae and advising the best treatment for you. Treatments available include -
  • Caustic therapy - application of strong chemicals designed to destroy verruca tissue
  • Cryotherapy - destruction of verruca tissue by freezing
  • Homeopathic remedies - some podiatrists are now able to offer natural remedies for verruca removal
  • Padding to reduce pressure on painful areas
  • Long term management plan of verrucae including home treatment advice
  • In extreme, long term cases, referral to a dermatologist

Prevention of verrucae

  • Most verrucae are picked up in communal areas such as swimming pools and gym changing rooms, so it is vital to keep feet covered up and avoid walking barefoot. Wear flip flops.
  • If somebody in your family has a verruca, ensure they are not spreading it around communal areas in the house such as the bathroom. Encourage them to keep their feet covered as much as possible and clean showers and baths thoroughly after use. It is much easier to adopt these habits for one person than to try and eradicate verrucae from an entire family!

When should I seek medical care?

If you notice any redness, swelling, or infection, see a podiatrist or your GP.