Verrucae

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Warts on the feet are called verrucae or plantar warts which although can be painful are actually harmless.

• Verrucae (plantar warts) are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Common on the soles of the feet, especially in children and teenagers.
• Can appear single or in clusters (mosaic).
• Look like rough patches with tiny black dots, colour can vary from grey to yellow or brown.
• Pain difference: Verrucae hurt when pinched from the sides; corns hurt when pressed directly.

You can lower your risk of catching verrucae by taking a few simple precautions:

• 👣 Wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly
• 🩴 Wear flip flops or protective footwear in communal areas like pools, showers, and changing rooms
• 🚫 Avoid walking barefoot in public damp areas

• 💥 Painful verrucae
• 🌱 Spreading lesions
• 👀 Embarrassment due to appearance

Important:

• ❌ Avoid self-treatment – can spread the virus
• 👩‍⚕️ Consult a podiatrist if pregnant, diabetic, have circulation problems, or on long-term medication

What is Debridement?

Debridement is a simple podiatry technique where your podiatrist carefully pares back or removes the thickened skin and surface layers of the verruca using sterile instruments. 

This controlled reduction not only helps to ease discomfort but also allows direct access to the viral tissue beneath, improving the effectiveness of any follow-up treatments.

Debridement is often the first step in successful verruca treatment, providing both comfort and a clearer pathway for recovery.

• ✅ Instant relief from pain and pressure – by reducing the hard skin that builds over verrucae
• ✅ Makes other treatments more effective – exposes the verruca so solutions like Verrutop® or Silver Nitrate can penetrate deeper
• ✅ Quick and precise – performed safely in clinic by your podiatrist
• ✅ Minimally invasive – no need for anaesthetic or recovery time

Verrutop® is a new generation topical treatment for verrucae and plantar warts. Unlike traditional treatments such as cryotherapy (freezing) or salicylic acid, Verrutop® works through a unique chemical action that destroys the infected tissue while leaving healthy skin unharmed.

This makes Verrutop® an ideal option for patients looking for a safe, painless, and effective verruca treatment.

• ✅ Painless application – no need for anesthesia or dressings
• ✅ Quick treatment in clinic – applied directly by your podiatrist
• ✅ Effective for stubborn verrucae – especially those resistant to other methods
• ✅ Minimal risk of scarring – gentle on surrounding skin

During your appointment, your podiatrist applies Verrutop® directly onto the verruca. The solution penetrates the lesion and starts breaking down the infected tissue. Over the following days, the verruca begins to dry out and shrink.

Most patients notice improvement within a few sessions, and long-standing or multiple verrucae can be significantly reduced or cleared.

• Patients with persistent verrucae that have not responded to over-the-counter treatments
• Children or adults seeking a painless verruca treatment
• People who want to avoid invasive procedures like freezing or laser treatment

What is Silver Nitrate?
Silver nitrate is a trusted treatment with a long history of use in podiatry. Applied directly to the verruca, it cauterises the infected tissue, helping to destroy the virus and reduce the lesion over time.

Why Choose Silver Nitrate?

• ✅ Proven and reliable treatment option
• ✅ Chemical cauterisation directly targets verruca tissue
• ✅ Non-invasive – no freezing or surgery involved
• ✅ Can be combined with other treatments for greater effectiveness
• ✅ Safe and well-tolerated by many patients.