A verruca is a skin infection which attacks the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis) and causes visible lesions. A verruca will usually appear as a visible raised area of hard skin with an irregular boarder, and will have black dots (blood vessels) spreading throughout. A verruca is contagious and can be spread through a portal of entry.

At first, a verruca may only be a few millimetres wide, and can be easy to miss or dismiss. And like any virus, a verruca can sometimes go away on its own, but our expert podiatrist, Lorraine Humphrey, recommends that you check your feet regularly and not ignore a verruca if you see one. Here are 5 reasons why:

1. A Verruca Will Often Get Worse

Verrucae (more than one verruca) may grow and grow if untreated. It could reach the point where it’s over a centimetre wide and bordered or covered by hard skin. This can be a real nuisance.

Over time, the pressure you put on it when standing may force the verruca deeper into your foot and cause pain.

2. They Can Multiply

The skin surrounding the verruca can get infected too, especially if you scratch the growth. If you don’t treat it swiftly, you may end up with a cluster of them.

3. Verrucae Causes Foot Pain

Foot pain, discomfort and tenderness are familiar to many verrucae sufferers, especially when weight-bearing areas, such as the ball of the foot, are infected. The pain is often described as “standing on a needle,” and can cause sufferers to limp or develop issues with their posture.

4. Verrucae Make Staying Active Difficult

A painful verruca can make everyday activities such as walking up the stairs challenging. Your excitement for playing sport or going to the gym would likely diminish, and you may adopt to a more sedentary lifestyle in an effort to reduce the pain.

Verrucae can easily be treated by a podiatrist, so please don’t delay in making an appointment with one if you are suffering.

5. Verruca Infections Spread Easily

If you touch your verruca and then touch another part of your foot, you may inadvertently spread the infection. You may also infect other people too. The infection spreads via skin-to-skin contact and contaminated surfaces. Everything from towels to swimming pool tiles can become verruca hotspots. Damaged or damp skin is particularly vulnerable.

You can reduce the risk of spreading the virus by wearing shower shoes and by not sharing towels, but the risk will remain until the infection is taken care of.

At Podiatry & Wellness Clinic, we offer a few treatments for verrucae, including debridement, silver nitrate and verruca needling. For more information on verruca needling, read our article here. Or to book a consultation with one of our podiatrists, contact us today.