Verrucas

Verrucas are a viral infection, closely related to warts.

​Common in children, they can be difficult to get rid of in adults.

​The good news is they are relatively rare in grown ups, and often confused with the much easier to treat, corns. 

Signs and Symptoms

Verrucas start off as a small darkened spot of skin, usually on the sole.

​To touch, they feel rough and raised and may cause pain when squeezed or walked on for long periods. 

They can be very easy to confuse with corns, but usually have a distinctive "cauliflower" appearance. This looks like tiny dark black dots set on a much paler raised area. 

Causes

Verrucas spread when an invisible particle of the virus gets into a microscopic cut on the foot. 

This is usually in:

• Swimming pools 
  
• Locker/changing rooms,
• Sports halls 
  

Effectively anywhere with lots of people walking barefoot. If someone has a verruca, it is possible for it to spread in areas of the home. 

Prevention and Treatment

Getting rid of verrucas is different depending on age.

In children, they are generally easier to get rid of (though they are more liable to get them.)

As a starting point, it's best to first establish exactly what they are. If confirmed, then painless reduction in size usually helps, then regular treatments of acid. 

Home treatment are often successful, but an expectation of timescale is helpful. In other words, verrucas take time to disappear.