Is it a verrucae?

Got an unusual lesion/spot on your foot. If you don’t like the look of it or it gives you pain, chances are that its a verruca.

Verrucae or warts are caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The hpv virus causes an excess amount of keratin to develop in the top skin layer (epidermis). The extra keratin produces the unsightly and rough texture of the verruca.

They are picked up by barefoot contact on floors and surfaces. Most common in wet changing room floors or shower areas. In these areas the virus can survive for up to 3 weeks without a host.

They are harmless in that they don’t invade the body any deeper than the top layer of skin. They can however spread to other parts of the foot or onto the hands.

The body should recognise a virus on the body and kill it naturally. Verrucae and warts can lie undetected on the outer layer of skin for years until it is recognised.

Available treatments

Here at Zest we have the latest treatment for Verrucae and warts, such as the SWIFT microwave therapy. SWIFT uses microwave technology to kill the infected skin cells and provoke an immune response by the body (to kill the virus naturally). This is a non invasive treatment that is quick to deliver and comes as a package of 3 treatments, over a 3 month period. (Swift emblation external site)

In addition to SWIFT , we also offer traditional verruca and wart treatments such as cryotherapy (freezing), needling surgery or salicylic acid based treatments. If neither treatment is for you but you want us to manage the painful callus on a verruca, we can do that too. Click here for all the verrucae treatments we offer.