Wart & Verrucas

What is a wart & verruca?

A wart is an infection in the top layer of the skin caused by the HPV virus. They are small growth that can be found on any part of the body. Warts found on the feet are called plantar warts, these are also called verrucas.

Causes of warts & verrucas:

Warts and verrucas are caused by a virus that can be spread to people through contaminated surfaces or direct skin contact. Common areas for this are suspected to be around swimming pools, communal changing rooms and showers.

Plantar warts typically appear on the balls and heel area of the feet, as there area has an increased pressure.

They can can be prevented by not walking barefoot in public places, not sharing towels, socks or shoes. Resisting picking your wart or verruca may help prevent it from spreading.

Symptoms of warts & verrucas:

Warts and verrucae do not always cause symptoms, however, they can become painful, especially if they are under a heavy weight bearing structure. They are a small bumpy growth of hard skin, often with tiny black dots. These can disappear on their own but equally, can spread and increase in size.

Diagnosing a wart & verruca:

Warts and verrucae can be prevented by not walking barefoot in public places, not sharing towels, socks or shoes. Resisting picking your wart or verruca may help prevent it from spreading.

Excision of verrucae and warts

Treatment for plantar wart removal or wart removal can include over-the-counter medication, this usually involves the use of salicylic acid but stubborn painful verrucae may benefit from excision.

The procedure is typically carried out in our central London location, 17 Harley Street, London, W1G 9QH, based near Oxford Circus Station. Surgical removal of the verruca or wart is commonly done by hyfrecation (electrical burning) under local anaesthesia. An injection is carried out to numb the area and the verruca is burned out using hyfrecation. You will need to rest, wear a moderate dressing, and keep the wound clean and dry for at least 48 hours, then change the dressing daily until the wound is dry. This usually takes 2-3 weeks.

Find out more information on verruca and warts

Find out more information on verruca treatment

Frequently asked questions

How to treat verrucas at home?

Most verrucas will go on their own over a couple of years. You can file down the verruca with a standard file. Removing the hard skin development usually relieves the pain. Be careful when treating them yourself though as they are contagious and you don’t want them to spread. If you file them down, only use the file on the verruca. Once you have filed them down you can use salicylic acid on them as a mild form of treatment. Repeat this daily and file the bulk down every week.

What causes verrucas?

Verrucas are caused by a virus that gets into the skin and produces a painful hard bump. As the virus is contagious you are more likely to get this if you walk barefoot in public areas.

What virus causes verrucas?

Verrucas are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) but are different strains than genital warts.

How to get rid of verrucas on feet?

There are many treatments for verrucas. You can try using salicylic acid as an at-home treatment or see a podiatrist. In a podiatry clinic you could try cryotherapy, needling, electrocautery or excision. Cryotherapy involves spraying bursts of liquid nitrogen on the verruca to freeze it. Needling treatment is when you puncture the verruca multiple times with a needle to make it bleed and stimulate your immune system, this is carried out under local anaesthesia. Electrocautery and excision are also carried out under local anaesthesia. Electrocautery burns the area, and excision cuts the lesion out, sutures are then used.