Verrucas are warts that form on the soles of the feet, also known as plantar surfaces. Verrucas are also referred to as verrucae and/or plantar warts. These warts are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). Most of these warts are benign and harmless.

1. Verrucas or Plantar
Warts
What You Need To Know

2. What are Verrucas?
• Verrucas are warts that form on the soles of the feet, also
known as plantar surfaces. Verrucas are also referred to as
verrucae and/or plantar warts. These warts are caused by
human papilloma virus (HPV). Most of these warts are benign
and harmless. However, some of these warts can press deep
into the skin from the pressure of standing and walking and
can cause pain. In the majority of the cases these warts go
away without any treatment, but sometimes medical
attention is required to deal with painful warts. Plantar Warts
that develop in clusters are called mosaic warts.

3. Causes of Plantar Warts
• Verrucas are caused by infections that occur due to HPV 1, 4,
2, 57, 60, 63, 65, 66, and 156. The virus attacks exposed
surfaces of the feet skin via direct contact. They may enter
through small abrasions and cuts in stratum corneum. Most
people develop Plantar Warts by walking on wet surface areas
that are common in public swimming pool floors and
communal showers. Sometimes one can get infected by them
even from the showers at home. People who share athletic
facilities and gyms are highly prone to develop these warts.
After infection, the warts may not be apparent for many
weeks or months. It is the incubation time for the viruses.
Over several months, the warts can become prominent and
painful.

4. Symptoms of Verrucas
• Bumpy growths on feet soles that come with one or many tiny
black dots;
• Painful sensations while walking or standing;
• Sometimes scratching the warts can induce bleeding

5. Diagnosis of Plantar Warts
• A dermatologist can diagnose Plantar Warts after carefully
examining the warts.

6. Treatment of Verrucas
• While Plantar Warts do not require any treatment in most
cases, they may require medications or surgery when a
patient experiences pain due to them. A Verruca treatment
London center can follow a range of procedures to get rid of
these warts.

7. Medications
• Keratolysis is an effective method of curing verrucas. It
involves peeling away of the dead skin cells by applying
keratolytic chemicals like trichloroacetic acid or salicylic acid.
Treating the warts daily with these chemicals for 12 weeks
have been found to remove warts completely in about 105 to
15% of cases.
• Cantharadin or blister beetle extract can also be applied to
produce similar results.
• Immunotherapy by intralesional injecting of antigens is a
unique way of removing the warts by forcing a immune
response from within.

8. Plantar Warts Surgery
• A surgeon may opt for cryosurgical methods by using liquid
nitrogen or other similar chemicals. It involves freezing the
outer cell structure of these warts and damaging the live
tissue. A patient may need to go through two to three
sessions before the condition is fully cured.
• Electrodesiccation followed by surgical excision is another
common procedure, although it may produce scarring.
• Laser surgery is effective for larger warts that are difficult to
cure. However, it is a painful and expensive procedure.
• Cauterization is applicable for long term treatments of
verrucas. While cauterizing the base of the warts with
anesthetic is an effective cure, it can still create keloids or
scars.

9. Contact Us
• UME Diagnostics
27 Harley Street
London
W1G 9QP
• Appointment line: 020 7820 8007
• www.londonfootandanklesurgery.co.uk
• Email: info@londonfootandanklesurgery.co.uk