Verrucae

What is a Verruca?

A verruca is another name for a wart that occurs on the sole of the foot and is also known as a plantar wart.  It is caused by a human papilloma virus infecting the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). 

 

What does a Verruca look like?

Verrucae often have a rough, grainy appearance and may be covered by a build-up of hard skin.  They can often present with dark brown / black dots within them (tiny capillary bleeds), but it is important to note that this is not always the case. The most diagnostic sign is a deviation of the dermatoglyphics (skin lines) around the lesion. 

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How do they develop with time?

Verrucae can behave quite differently from each other depending on the HPV type, as well as the location and amount of overlying hard skin present - in some instances being very painful, and in others entirely symptom free.

A cure is brought about by our immune system recognising and destroying the virus, which on average takes 2 years in children, and 10 years in adults. 

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Are Verrucae contageous?

Verrucae are contagious and can spread from person-to-person through direct or indirect contact.  They are often associated with walking barefoot (around the swimming pool, in a changing room etc where you can have a microscopic skin abrasions which become infected. 

 

Do I have to treat them?

Treatment is not always needed, and for young children we often opt for a 'wait and see' approach. However for those concerned about spreading the infection, embarrassed by their verrucae, or in discomfort because of them we have a number of treatment options to offer.