Verruca

This is a skin infection caused by a virus, which enters the skin through small abrasions and infects the skin. The virus thrives in warm, moist environments, making infection a common occurrence wherever there are communal bathing facilities.

Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults. Most warts are harmless and benign. If left untreated, warts can grow to an inch or more in circumference and can spread into clusters of several warts; these are often called mosaic warts. Like any other infectious lesion, plantar warts are spread by touching or scratching, The wart may also bleed, another route for spreading.

In the majority of cases verruca do not hurt and resolve without the need for treatment. However, in some cases verrucae can cause pain or continue to grow or spread and treatment is often sought.

It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to reoccur.

Sometimes other conditions can sometimes be misidentified as a wart. It is wise to consult a podiatrist or your GP when any suspicious growth or eruption is detected on the skin of the foot in order to ensure a correct diagnosis.