VERRUCAS & PLANTAR WARTS
Stubborn, painful verruca or wart on the sole of your foot?
Verrucas (plantar warts) are viral skin lesions caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Because walking drives them inward, they can become deeply uncomfortable. Our podiatrists provide effective clinical treatments
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Does any of this sound familiar?
Verrucas typically appear on weight-bearing areas of the sole or around toes:
- A rough, cauliflower-textured lump on the sole of the foot or heel
- Tiny black pinpoints (capillary vessels) visible within the lesion
- Sharp pain when pinching the lesion from side-to-side
- Discomfort when bearing weight or walking barefoot on hard floors
- Overlying hard skin (callus) obscuring the true lesion size
- Clusters of multiple verrucas spreading (mosaic warts)
Verrucas are viral, not bacterial — they need an immune trigger to clear.
Our clinical treatments stimulate the body's immune response to resolve stubborn lesions.
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POSSIBLE CAUSES
What causes verrucas and plantar warts?
Plantar warts are caused by strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) entering the skin:
HPV infection
The virus enters through microscopic cuts or abrasions on the sole of the foot.
Communal wet surfaces
Swimming pools, hotel showers, and school changing rooms are common transmission sites.
Weight-bearing pressure
Walking forces the wart to grow inward beneath a thick layer of protective callus.
Immune evasion
The virus stays in the outer epidermis, escaping normal immune detection for long periods.
WHEN TO SEEK ASSESSMENT
When should you consider getting a verruca checked?
Consider arranging an assessment if:
- Over-the-counter freeze sprays or acid plasters have not cleared it
- The lesion causes pain with walking, running, or standing
- The wart is growing or spreading into a cluster (mosaic)
- You are unsure whether it is a verruca or a corn
- You have diabetes or reduced circulation
YOUR APPOINTMENT
What happens when you come to see us?
We confirm the diagnosis, pare back the overlying callus, and apply targeted treatment
We diagnose
Your podiatrist differentiates the verruca from a corn or other skin lesion.
We debride
Painlessly removing the overlying hard skin exposes the active viral tissue.
We treat
We apply evidence-based clinical treatments suited to the lesion's size and location.
We plan
You receive a structured treatment schedule and home advice to trigger immune clearance.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment depends on what we find
Treatment aims to debride protective callus and trigger an immune response. Options include:
Not every treatment is appropriate for every patient. Your podiatrist will discuss suitable options after assessment.
- Clinical lesion debridement
- Targeted clinical chemical cautery / caustics
- Offloading padding to reduce weight-bearing pain
- Home treatment guidance & monitoring
- Verruca treatment courses for stubborn cases
We're here for you
Tired of Living With Pain? We Can Help
STEP 1 OF 2
Request a callback
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OUR CLINICIANS
You'll be seen by our podiatry team
Our clinicians assess a wide range of foot, ankle and lower-limb problems and will explain your options clearly.
Matthew Francis
Clinical Director / Managing Podiatrist
Megan Kelly
General & High Risk Foot Podiatrist
Yaw Nimoh
MSK, Sports & Advanced Practice Podiatrist
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What our patients say about their care
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FAQ
Verruca & wart FAQs
READY TO GET STARTED?
Ready to get your verruca treated?
Book online at a time that suits you, or request a callback if you're unsure which appointment is right for you.