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What do verrucas look like?

The common signs of a Verruca

If you’re wondering whether that sore spot on your foot is a verruca, look out for these tell-tale signs:

• A rough, raised or flattened patch of skin. Verrucas can appear as small bumps or slightly sunken lesions with a rough surface.
  
• Black dots in the centre. These are tiny clotted blood vessels and one of the most recognisable features.
  
• Interruption of skin lines. The normal skin ridges on the sole of your foot may stop running through the verruca.
  
• Clusters. You might notice more than one verruca forming in the same area, which can merge into a mosaic pattern.
  
• Size. Verrucas can range from a few millimetres to over a centimetre in diameter.
  

How does a Verruca feel?

Not every verruca causes pain, but many people describe uncomfortable sensations such as:

• Tenderness when standing or walking. Pressure from body weight pushes the verruca into the skin.
  
• A sharp, pebble-in-the-shoe feeling. Particularly if the verruca is on the ball or heel of the foot.
  
• Mild itching or discomfort. Sometimes verrucas can feel slightly irritated.
  
• Pain when squeezed. If you pinch the sides of a verruca, it often hurts more than pressing directly on top.
  

What is a Verruca?

A verruca (plural: verrucae) is a type of wart that develops on the soles of the feet. Verrucas are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which infects the outer layer of the skin. When HPV enters through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin, it triggers excess skin growth, leading to the rough, raised lesion we call a verruca.

Because they appear on weight-bearing areas of the foot, verrucas are often pressed flat into the skin by walking or standing. This is why they can look different from warts found elsewhere on the body.

How do Verrucas spread?

HPV thrives in warm, moist environments such as swimming pools, communal showers, changing rooms and gyms. The virus spreads easily through direct contact or indirectly via contaminated surfaces. You may pick up the virus by walking barefoot in these places.

Once contracted, verrucas can spread from one part of your foot to another, or even to other people. This is why they often appear in clusters known as mosaic verrucae.

Verruca vs Corns: how to tell the difference

Verrucas are often mistaken for corns, but there are key differences:

• Corns are caused by friction and pressure, not a virus. They usually have a hard centre and intact skin lines running through them.
  
• Verrucas interrupt skin lines and often have black dots. They are caused by HPV and are infectious.
  

If you’re unsure, it’s always best to get a professional diagnosis from a podiatrist.

Are verrucas and warts the same?

Yes, but not exactly. They’re related, but there’s a small difference worth knowing.

• Warts are growths on the skin caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). They can appear anywhere on the body and take different forms.

• Verrucas are a type of wart that specifically appear on the soles of the feet.

Because of their location, verrucas behave a bit differently, pressure from walking flattens them, and they often develop black dots (clotted blood vessels) and interrupt the normal skin lines on the foot.

When to seek treatment

Some verrucas may disappear naturally over time, especially in children and teenagers, but this can take months or even years. You should consider seeking treatment if:

• The verruca is painful or makes walking uncomfortable.
  
• It’s spreading or appearing in clusters.
  
• You have diabetes or poor circulation (as foot health complications can be more serious).
  
• You’ve tried over-the-counter remedies without success.
  
• You’re concerned about spreading it to others.

Verruca treatments at Flawless Feet

At our Croydon, Sydenham and Covent Garden clinics, we provide advanced verruca treatments tailored to your needs. Two of the most effective options are:

1. Verruca Needling

This procedure involves using a fine needle under local anaesthetic to push the verruca virus deeper into the skin. This stimulates the body’s immune system to recognise and fight the virus. Needling is highly effective for stubborn verrucas and usually only requires one or two sessions.

Benefits:

• Targets stubborn verrucas
  
• Boosts your own immune response
  
• Minimal aftercare required
  

2. Swift® Microwave Therapy

Swift is a cutting-edge treatment that uses microwave energy to heat and destroy the virus-infected tissue. It works by stimulating your body’s immune response, much like needling, but without breaking the skin.

Benefits:

• Quick treatment with no downtime
  
• No dressings required
  
• Excellent success rates
   

Preventing Verrucas

While it’s not always possible to avoid verrucas completely, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Wear flip-flops in communal showers, swimming pools and gyms.
  
• Avoid sharing towels, socks or shoes.
  
• Keep feet clean and dry, changing socks daily.
  
• Cover existing verrucas with a plaster to reduce the risk of spreading.
  

Verrucas can be uncomfortable, stubborn and easy to confuse with other foot problems like corns. The key signs to look for include black dots, interrupted skin lines and tenderness when pinched from the sides. If you suspect you have a verruca, don’t ignore it, especially if it’s painful, spreading or interfering with daily life.

At our podiatry clinics in Croydon, Sydenham and Covent Garden, we offer advanced treatments such as needling and Swift® microwave therapy, designed to tackle even the most persistent verrucas. If you’re tired of dealing with discomfort or frustration, book an appointment with our expert podiatrists and take the first step towards clear, pain-free feet.

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