Verrucae


Plantar warts (also called verrucae plantaris) are non-cancerous skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They develop on the soles of the feet and can be painful due to pressure from walking or standing.  


Appearance:

   Small, rough, grainy lesions with a well defined border.  

   Often have tiny black dots (clotted blood vessels, not "roots").  

   May grow inward due to pressure, forming a hard callus-like layer.  

   Pain:  Can feel like "stepping on a pebble," especially when walking.  

   Clusters: Sometimes appear in groups (mosaic warts).  



Causes & Risk Factors:

-HPV strains (usually types 1, 2, 4, 60, or 63).  

- Direct contact  with the virus (e.g., walking barefoot in pools, gyms, or shared showers).  

- Weakened immune system (higher risk of persistent warts).  

- Skin breaks (micro tears or moist skin increase infection risk).  



Treatment Options:  

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments:

    Salicylic acid (plasters, gels, or liquids) gradually peels the wart.  

  


 Medical Treatments:

   Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen) Freezes and destroys the wart.  

   Swift verrucae tretment.

   Verrucae Needling.

   Verrutop- Creating cell death of the wart tissue.