A verruca is a wart on the sole of your foot which can be painful when you are standing or walking. It caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The viral infection affects the epithelial cells in the skin of the foot, making them over-grow and thicken, causing small rough lumps known as papules.
Verrucae are also known as plantar wart and most commonly occur on the soles of feet, around toes and toenails.
HPV is not very contagious but can spread through direct contact an infected damp surfaces in particular, such as swimming pools, changing rooms at gyms, etc.
The virus gains entry into the skin through micro-opening in the skin such as little cuts, scratches, or open pores after the skin has been soaking in water.
Verrucae can also be painful if it is located on a weight-bearing part of the foot. There is often layer of callus on verruca which make them very uncomfortable for the patient.
VERRUCA TREATMENT
At Belvoir Foot Clinic, we use two main types of verruca treatments.
FREEZING (CRYOTHERAPY)
Cryotherapy is safe way to remove verruca which involves freezing the skin around the verruca. A small portion of liquid nitrogen is applied to the skin destroying the verruca cells. Standard practice is to repeat this treatment every 2-3 weeks until the wart has gone, up to a maximum of 6th treatments.
The hard skin over-top the lesion is removed before the treatment, the liquid nitrogen will be applied to your wart using either a spray or a cotton bad. It takes between five and 30 seconds to freeze the wart depending on technique and location of the wart.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER TREATMENT?
A blister will develop within 24-48 hours after the treatment. The pain can last up to 3 days. You need to take a painkiller if there is too much discomfort. If the blister breaks, clean the area with an antiseptic wipe to minimize the spread of the virus from the wart and apply a plaster. Call us if you need support during this healing process. Healing is usually 7 to 10 days.
SALICYLIC ACID TREATMENT
The salicylic acid treatments which is much stronger than from the over thecounter. It works to remove warts by exfoliating the skin cells until the wart is gone. There are also need several sessions before the verruca is destroyed. Treatment with the salicylic acid is painless but some people can have a little discomfort.