How to Avoid and Treat Verrucas

Verruca plantar wartsVerrucas (or verrucae) are simply warts that appear on the feet.  

As with warts elsewhere on the body, they’re caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Unfortunately, this is a highly contagious virus, so they’re easily caught and easily spread too. This doesn’t only mean passing on verruca to other people, but also finding that the verrucae spread – multiplying on the feet or appearing as warts on other areas of the body. 

The fact that the verruca virus is so contagious means that having verrucas is a very common problem.

They’re not just unpleasant to look at. A verruca can also be quite painful and uncomfortable; especially if it’s hard and presses into the foot when you walk or run.

If you someone you know has a verruca, it’s best to try and avoid it. If you have a verruca yourself, it’s best to deal with it to avoid it spreading further. You’ll also feel better too, without the knobbly discomfort on your foot.

Avoiding Verrucas/Verrucae

  • Don’t go barefoot in public places. Wear flip flops where possible at the swimming pool, in communal showers or gym changing rooms
  • Don’t share towels, socks or shoes with someone who has a verruca
  • Change your socks every day
  • Avoid touching other people’s warts or verrucas
  • Keep the feet dry, as wet feet are more at risk of getting HPV

Avoid Spreading Verrucas/Warts

If you already have a verruca, here are some suggestions to avoid passing it on:

  • Wear special verruca socks when swimming etc
  • Wear flip flops in any shared showers – this includes at home as well as the pool/gym
  • Cover verrucas with waterproof plasters
  • Treat the verruca as quickly as possible to avoid it spreading to other parts of the body or other people. Verrucas are easiest to treat before they become too established. Once they are enlarged or hardened, they can be very painful to walk on too

DIY Verruca Treatments

At home treatments can be purchased from the chemist. Over the counter remedies are stronger than the ones available on the shelf, but they are still not effective on all verruca. Some are very resistant to treatment, especially when they’ve been allowed to get well-established.

For aggressive/resistant verrucas, professional treatment is advised.

Professional Treatments

The London Mole Removal Centre is a private company, offering treatment for unwanted moles and other skin lesions (cysts, skin tags, warts, verruca, lipoma etc).

Verruca treatments are carried out by doctors who are specially trained in the latest skin surgery techniques and are highly experienced in the field.

Verruca removal is carried out using a range of methods, depending on the severity of the condition.  Our doctors may use cryotherapy (freezing), laser (or microcautery), or even surgery for the most difficult cases.  Cryotherapy (freezing) and laser may involve 2-3 treatments to ensure complete removal of the foot warts, especially for the longer established verrucas.

Advantages of private treatment at the London Mole Removal Centre include:

  • No waiting lists
  • Choice of clinics in London and also Bristol
Verruca Treatments

Book an Appointment

London Mole Removal Centre offer appointments at a choice of 5 private skin treatment centres based in London and Bristol. All consultations and treatments are carried out in person by doctors who are specially trained in the latest laser and skin surgery techniques and are highly experienced in the field. Most skin lesions can be removed at the same appointment as the consultation, but there is no obligation to proceed unless and until both the patient and doctor are completely happy to do so.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7731 3791.