Struggling with a stubborn foot verruca?

Verrucas are plantar warts commonly found on the foot caused by strains of the human papillomavirus infecting the outer layer of the skin. They can appear on any aspect of the foot but usually present on the weight-bearing surfaces.

The human papillomavirus can survive outside of the human body and thrives in a moist, damp environment, which is why it is commonly picked up from swimming pools and communal changing room floors. It can however be contracted from any surface, especially if you have cuts or abrasions on your feet which you may not be aware of. Once the virus is picked up, there is a delay before the verruca become visible whilst the virus multiplies.

Initially, verrucae can present as a small whitey pink bump but in the later stages, they often have a rough cauliflower-like appearance with central black dots.

Verrucas can develop as one singular wart of varying sizes or multiple tightly packed individual warts known as mosaic verrucae. If the verruca forms on a weight-bearing surface such as the heel or the ball of the foot, it will usually protrude into the skin, may acquire an overlying spongy callus, and can be painful when walking. If it develops on a non-weight-bearing surface such as the side of a toe, it will protrude outwards and might not cause any pain unless squeezed.