Warts/Verrucas

Name: Warts/Verrucas
SKU: 616
Price: 29.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

From £29.00

Warts are generally harmless, and they occur due to the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are not particularly attractive. Even though they frequently heal on their own without any help, sometimes treating them helps the healing process. Although you need close skin-to-skin contact to transfer the virus, it can also be spread by contact with an already contaminated surface.

Warts are little bumps on your skin that have a cauliflower type of appearance. Most of the time, they grow them on your hands or feet, and you may only have one or several may develop simultaneously. A verruca is what grows on your foot. There are numerous varieties of warts, and this will impact their appearance and accompanying symptoms.

£29.00

Causes of Warts/Verrucas

Factors that increase the risk of developing warts/verrucas include::

Direct contact: Warts/verrucas are contagious and can spread from person to person through direct contact with the virus. This commonly occurs in places like swimming pools, communal showers, and gym locker rooms where people walk barefoot.

Weakened immune system: A weakened immune system makes it harder for the body to fight off the HPV virus, increasing the likelihood of developing warts/verrucas. Conditions such as HIV/AIDS, certain medications, and autoimmune diseases can weaken the immune system.

Skin-to-skin contact: warts/verrucas can also spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a warts/verrucas. This can occur through activities like holding hands or touching a surface that has been in contact with the virus.

Moist environments: HPV thrives in warm, moist environments, which is why verrucas are commonly found on the soles of the feet. Walking barefoot in damp areas increases the risk of exposure to the virus.

Skin trauma: Any damage to the skin, such as cuts, scrapes, or punctures, creates an entry point for the HPV virus. People who frequently walk barefoot or participate in activities that cause trauma to the skin are more susceptible to developing warts/verrucas.

Personal hygiene: Poor personal hygiene can increase the risk of verruca transmission. Not washing hands regularly, sharing personal items like towels or socks, and walking barefoot in public places without proper foot protection can contribute to the spread of warts/verrucas.

Age: Verrucas are more common in children and adolescents, possibly because their immune systems are still developing and they are more likely to participate in activities that expose them to the virus, such as walking barefoot in communal areas.

Types of Warts/Verrucas

The following are the different types:

Verrucas-they occur on the soles of the feet. They have a cauliflower texture and are white in appearance with black dots in the middle. These warts are painful and feel like a prick when you walk on them. They are different to common warts as they are flat, are white with black spots in the middle.

Common warts-these are rounded and will protrude a little from your skin. They have a rough surface and are harsh to the touch. They will appear speckled in colour; the tiny black spots represent blood vessels. They are smaller than centimetre in size and generally occur on the hands, but can develop on the knees too.

Plantar or palmer warts- these frequently appear on the palms of the hands or the bottom of the feet in young toddlers (plantar). They are known as mosaic warts when they appear in groups and are often relatively small. Together, these warts develop into a “mosaic” pattern.

Plane warts– these warts are flat and can grow in groups. They’ll be golden in colour and typically have a width of little more than 4 mm. This kind of wart most frequently affects children, and it typically affects the hands, legs, and face.

Periungual warts– on your hands or feet, they develop around or beneath the nails. They have a rough feel and can occasionally be painful; once they have grown, they may have a texture similar to that of a cauliflower and may spread.

Filiform warts– these warts, also known as face warts, exclusively develop on the face or neck and have a very distinctive appearance from all other warts. They have a single, long stalk that might be brown, pink, yellow, or even your skin colour. They frequently show up on lips and eyelids.

Genital warts– these are distinct from the other warts that have been mentioned. They are soft, show up on the genitalia, are sexually transmitted, itchy, uncomfortable, and painful.

Treatment

To prevent warts and verrucas from spreading:

Change socks daily if you have a verruca

Wash hands immediately after touching a wart or verruca.

You should speak to your own GP immediately if the wart is bleeding, painful, changes in appearance, is on the face. For genital warts, you require face to face assessment with your GP.

If you are unsure of diagnosis, our clinicians can offer advice, guidance and if needed, prescribe medication. Please attach pictures if you choose the telephone consultation option.

If you would like more information on warts/verrucas, please click the NHS link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/warts-and-verrucas/