What is a verruca?

Verrucae are plantar warts that commonly occur on the soles of the feet or around the toe area. They are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is contagious through direct person-to-person contact. The HPV is thought to thrive in moist, damp environments such as swimming pools, changing room floors and communal shower areas. It can survive for many years on surfaces. You may not even know you had the virus if your immune system immediately destroys the virus.

It is possible to contract the virus simply by walking barefoot across the same floor area as someone with a verruca, especially if you have a small or invisible cut or abrasion making it easy for the virus to penetrate the skin. Once the virus has entered the skin it infects the keratinocyte cells in your skin resulting in the formation of callus/ painful lumps. The verrucae can go away without treatment. This may take some time and can occur spontaneously.

How do I know I have them?

The most common appearance is that of a small cauliflower-type growth on the soles of your feet with tiny black dots. If it is painful when you pinch the area (like when you squeeze a spot), you are likely to have a verruca. They can grow and may spread into a cluster of small warts.

Dornwarzen Painful deep plantar wart
 

Are they serious?

Verrucae are harmless but can be uncomfortable and painful if they develop on a weight bearing part of the foot. In addition, hard skin (callus) can form over the top of the verruca, increasing the discomfort in this area. There are also some strains of the virus that spread very quickly and can look unsightly.

What are the treatments?

Avoid touching or scratching a verruca as it may spread into a cluster of warts. Instead, cover it up with a plaster. Evidence suggests that in many cases verrucae will disappear without treatment. If it is painless, leaving it alone may be advisable as some treatments can have unintended consequences such as a non- healing wound or infection. There is evidence that merely rubbing away the dry skin over a verruca and applying an occlusive dressing such as duct tape helps to stimulate the body's immune system to fight the infection.
For painful and/or unsightly verrucae or ones that are spreading, you can speak to your local pharmacist for further advice.

For further advice contact a private podiatrist registered with the Health Professions Council. The Royal College of Podiatry website has details of registered private podiatrists.

First Community is not commissioned to treat or give advice on treatment for Verrucae. We can offer a basic offloading insole if the verruca is on a weightbearing area.

How can I prevent them?

To avoid catching verrucae, keep your feet in a healthy condition. Always dry them thoroughly after washing and if your feet are sweaty, treat them with surgical spirit. If they are dry, moisturise them with suitable creams or lotions, but avoid applying between the toes.
Other tips include wearing flip-flops in communal areas and not sharing towels, shoes and socks.

Sources of information

Important information

The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is not intended to replace professional clinical advice from a qualified practitioner.

Reference

East Sussex Health Care NHS Trust (2022) Patient Information Verrucas. Available at Master Patient Information Document https://www.esht.nhs.uk/ (Accessed 27 June 2023)

 

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First Community (Head Office)

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Address: First Community Health and Care, Consort House, 5-7 Queensway, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1YB.

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