What is verruca?
Verrucas are warts that appear on the feet. They are the same as warts on any other part of the body.
What are the symptoms of verrucas?
Verrucas are small, rough, often round, lumps on the skin. Sometimes you will only see one or two verrucas on one or both feet, though they can cover larger areas of skin. Verrucas are common in children and are generally harmless and pain-free.
What are the causes of verrucas?
They are caused by a virus (human papillomavirus [HPV]) which causes a reaction in the skin. Close skin to skin contact, particularly in a wet environment like at the swimming pool often results in the verrcuas being spread to others.
What should I do if I have a verruca?
If you have a verruca you should arrange an appointment with your podiatrist for treatment.
Podiatry treatment for verrucas
Overlying hard skin that may develop over the verruca can be removed by a podiatrist to relieve discomfort. Chemicals can also be applied to the verruca to help clear it. A podiatrist can advise on the appropriate management plan for your verruca at your initial assessment. Flip-flops or verruca socks are advisable to both prevent catching verrucas at the swimming pool and passing them on to others.