Verruca

Verrucas

What is a verruca?

Verruca is actually the latin name for a wart. The name is usually applied to warts that appear on the soles of the feet, when they may also be reffered to as plantar warts.

What causes a verruca?

A verruca, like all warts, is caused by a virus which gets into the skin to produce a lump or swelling on the sole of the foot. A verruca is usually painless, but the weight of the body pressing down often causes pain or discomfort in the verruca. The surface of the verruca is slightly raised and darker than the surrounding skin, and on closer examination one can often see one or more dark spots in the centre of the verruca, said to resemble a pepper pot top! This is the core, which is almost like a root which grows down into the skin.

A verruca cannot grow out from the skin surface on sole of the foot because of the pressure of weightbearing, so it tends to spread sideways to produce a larger flatter wart than is seen in other parts of the body such as on the fingers.

Are verrucas contagious?

Yes! The outer skin surface of the verruca sheds tiny scales and skin cells, which contain the offending virus, onto the floor. The commonest source of infections therefore are communal showers, swimming pools and changing rooms. The virus then enters the skin of another person's foot either through a tiny cut, abrasion or through wet, softened soggy skin.

Anyone can catch verrucas, but they seem to be more common in the 6 to 16 years of age group. To prevent spread anyone with a verruca can wear a `verruca sock', which can be obtained from some sports shops or pharmacists. This is basically a plastic ankle sock, which covers the foot preventing shedding of the virus onto the floor.

Is it a verruca or corn?

Before treating a suspected verruca, it's worthwhile getting it checked by your GP, practice nurse or chiropodist, as sometimes corns are mistaken for verrucas. The differences are: corns have shiny tops whereas verrucas don't, and corns don't usually bleed when cut or rubbed with an emery board, whereas verrucas often bleed when attempts are made to `dig' them out.

How to treat verrucas

Most verrucas, as other warts, will disappear in time if left alone, and may not even leave a scar! You can treat verrucas yourself quite safely, using any of the treatments that can be bought over the counter from your local pharmacy, but do read the instructions carefully. Treatments available include Carnation verruca treatment, Cuplex, Duofilm, Glutarol, Posalfilin, Salactol, Veracur and Verrugon.

These treatments are effective, but most warts are slow to respond to treatment. The anti-wart treatments usually have to be applied to the surface of the wart once or twice a day. The verruca is then covered with a waterproof plaster, which also helps prevent the verruca spreading elsehwere on the same foot, or to the other foot. Before the next application, remove the plaster and then pare down the surface of the verruca with a pumice stone, removing the top skin layers.

Reapply the treatment and cover again with a plaster. This is a slow process, and you have to be patient as it may take several weeks to finally clear the verruca, but the wait is worthwhile. I've seen some large verrucas over 2 inches across disappear completely with these treaments. In rare cases some resistant and painful verrucas may need to be treated by a chiropodist or skin specialist.




IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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