Verrucae

Verrucae are plantar warts which can occur on any part of the sole of the foot. Verrucae are a viral based skin infection caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. Verrucae can appear as single areas or multiple areas. Each lesion will appear raised and contain small black dots, these black dots are blood capillaries and will bleed if abraded.

Causes

Typically the virus is picked up through contact with a contaminated surface such as a tiled area in a swimming pool, the changing rooms, showers and gymnasium floors.

Treatment

Although the bodies immune system will likely target and destroy the verrucae cells they can be painful and are very contagious therefore prompt attention is recommended to prevent their spread.

Treatment involves the reduction of the overlying tissus mass followed by either the application of an acid based preparation such as salacylic acid or a course of liquid nitrogen treatment (cryotherapy).

The application of liquid nitrogen has proved to give a high degree of success over a relatively short period of time and is our preferred treatment method.

Self Help

It is recommended that when showering or attending the swimming baths that you wear a verrucae sock.

This will prevent spreading the virus to others and prevent you from coming into contact with more viral cells.

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