What are they ?
Verrucae are warts found on the foot, they are harmless but can become painful, unsightly and embarrassing.
A verruca is the result of an infection from certain strains of the human papillon virus (HPV) and affect most people during their lifetime.
They are easily picked up in communal areas, the virus enters the hosts skin through the smallest of abrasions and develops into a verruca.
Verrucae and Wart Treatment
What do they look like?
They first appear as small puncture marks in the skin, as they grow they may become rough and bumpy with a cauliflower like appearance.
Some verrucae show black spots, these are bleeding points in the verruca tissue.
Verrucae can grow in size, having an irregular edge and can also spread into a cluster or as individual verruca.
They are not usually painful but if they develop on a weight bearing area they can cause a sharp burning pain. The weight bearing pressure will cause hard skin to build up and become uncomfortable.
They can be persistent and last for several years.
Are verrucae and warts the same ?
Warts and verrucae are caused by the same virus. Warts are often found on hands picked up from contact from others or on other sites prone to trauma, such as knees and elbows. They tend to have a round raised surface.
Verrucae are just warts (plantar warts) found on the foot and are usually found on weight bearing areas so are flattened in appearance.
Podiatrists can also help with treatment for warts on the hands and knees, as they are usually embarrassing for the young.
How to get rid of them?
It is possible for verrucae to resolve naturally, this is more evident in children than adults.
Sometimes verrucae can be easily treated at home with over the counter applications.
It is most important to follow the instructions on the treatment, to be diligent with the treatment and appreciate that it may take longer than expected for the treatment to be effective.
These treatments are not as strong as products available to podiatrists.
What treatments are available?
If your self-treatment is not working, or your verrucae are large and painful or your would just prefer professional treatment then please contact one of our practices.
The podiatrist will be able to assess and recommend a suitable treatment plan dependant on your health, activities and wellbeing. We can offer a range of treatments to suit each patients’ individual requirements.
The most effective treatment is Swift Microwave Therapy. This is our most successful method for the treatment of verrucae, even for the oldest and the most stubborn ones. Our success rate is over 90%, which is far higher than any other methods.
The treatment is precise and quick, needing far fewer appointments than other methods.
There is no need to keep your feet dry after treatment and you are able to continue with your usual daily activities.
A medical history will be taken prior to your treatment to check if the treatment is suitable for you. There are just a few exceptions for this treatment; those who have a pacemaker, foot metal implants in the foot, diabetes, poor peripheral circulation, neuropathy and those who are pregnant.
Although we have excellent success rates with Swift Microwave Therapy, we cannot guarantee 100% resolution.
