Verrucae are warts that occur on the feet. They are the same as warts on any other part of the body. Verrucae are common in children and are generally harmless and pain-free.
Verrucae are small, rough, often round, lumps on the skin. Sometimes you will only see one or two verrucae on one or both feet, though they can cover larger areas of skin.
Verrucae are caused by different strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus is present in the skin cells of a wart. Close skin to skin contact, particularly in a wet environment like at the swimming pool often results in the verrucae being spread to others. You are more likely to catch the infection if your skin is: damaged, wet, or comes into contact with rough surfaces.
An assessment with a podiatrist is recommended if you have a verrucae to identify whether treatment is necessary. Any over-the-counter treatment should be used with caution.
Do not go barefoot at the swimming baths to avoid spreading the virus. Do not use any sharp objects to try to remove the verrucae from your foot.
Verrucae often spread to other parts of the foot, however, they generally clear up themselves without any treatment over time. They are not serious and should be ignored if they aren’t causing any problems.
Overlying hard skin that may develop over the verrucae can be removed by a Podiatrist to relieve discomfort. A Podiatrist can advise on the appropriate management plan for your verrucae. Flip-flops or verrucae socks are advisable to both prevent catching verrucae at the swimming pool and passing them on to others. Chemicals can be applied to the verrucae to help clear it, however if the verrucae is not causing a problem it is advisable to leave it untreated as the body’s immune system often recognises it and responds.
