Conditions

Verrucae

Verruca (Plantar Wart) Verrucae are warts caused by the Human Papilloma virus most commonly occurring on the sole of the foot or on the toes. Verrucae are benign epithelial tumours and are usually self limiting, but should be treated if they are painful or spreading. Infection Infection typically occurs from moist walking surfaces such as showers, changing rooms or swimming pools. The virus infects the skin through direct contact with the outer most layers of skin, entering through tiny abrasions. The wart may not be visible for several weeks, and they may spread into clusters to become mosiac warts. Diagnosis Verrucae may look like corns or calluses, or may have a ‘cauliflower’ appearance with tiny blood vessels within them. These are not roots! They can be diagnosed on close inspection of the skin’s striations (like finger print lines), as the lines will go around the Verrucae and not straight over them. Also Verrucae are usually painful if squeezed at the sides, where as corns are painful with pressure directly on them. Prevention Don’t walk barefoot in public showers, pools or changing rooms. Do not share shoes or socks and avoid direct contact with Verrucae on other people. Infection is less likely in older adults as we build up an immunity with age. There is currently no vaccine for these types of virus. Treatment Keratolytic chemicals such as Salacylic acid are most commonly used to peel away the dead outermost skin layers, so also removing virally infected skin. Cryosurgery is a localised freezing of the skin infected by the virus. This can cause blistering under the infected skin. Surgical excision will usually cause scarring as may hyfrecation (electro-burning). A callus will then grow over the scar tissue and may cause pain. some warts eventually resolve without treatment due to the patient's own immune system. In many cases, the body will attack and kill the wart and verrucæ will turn black and effectively fall off, although it can more than two years before this takes place.