Verucca
Verruca – the hidden wart that grows where you walk, tough to treat but not impossible to beat.
Verruca
What are verruca?
Verruca 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), of which there are lots of varying strains, and as with all virus can be picked up by anyone. They can be quite a complex virus, with different types of verrucas, some can go without treatment and some are stubborn and can hang around for a long time
Who gets them?
Verruca are most commonly seen in children, teenagers and young adults. It is possible to develop an immunity against the virus over time but most people remain susceptible, although some more than others.
Do I have a verruca?
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, you are likely to have a verruca. They can grow to 1cm in diameter and may spread into a cluster of small warts.
Are they serious?
Verruca are harmless but can be uncomfortable and painful if they develop on a weight bearing part of the foot. In addition, hard skin can form over the top of the verruca, increasing the discomfort in the area. There are also some strains of the virus that spread very quickly and can look unsightly.
What treatments are available?
There isn’t one single treatment that guarantees a resolution, and as with every virus you can catch it again. There are treatments that do have scientific evidence of working and Richard offers these treatments in clinic.
Non-surgical treatment – Needling, where the verruca is punctured with a small needle to stimulate the body’s immune system to destroy the cells infected with the virus
Surgical treatment – verruca excision, the verruca is excised under local anaesthetic
