Warts and Verrucas

What are Warts and Verrucas?

Wart is a small thickened growth on the skin surface that affects only the outside layer of the skin causing itchy or irritation in some cases. It has a rough and crusty texture, usually with the same pigmentation as the rest of the skin, sometimes it can be slightly darker. It can appear anywhere in the body, but it is normally found on the hands, neck, face and torso.

Verruca is a wart located on the sole of the feet with a flat texture, causing pain and discomfort when walking, unlike wart it does not create a growth on the skin surface and are more common in children.

Genital or anal warts are smaller and softer than warts appearing on the rest of the body, they have a pinky-white colour and tend to grow in clumps.

What Causes Warts and Verrucas?

Warts and verrucas are caused by the papilloma virus, some people can be more prone to the virus then others, children are often more vulnerable to the virus, as most adults have developed immunity against the virus. The virus enters the skin through a break in the skin surface, hence it is more commonly found on parts of the skin more likely to get minor injuries, such as hands and feet.

It is common to get verruca when you go swimming because the virus can be found in public swimming pools and showers. The warm and moist surroundings of a public swimming pool are an ideal environment for the papilloma virus, and as the skin becomes softer in water it is easy for the virus to penetrate the skin.

There Are Four Types of Warts

Common Warts
It has a rough texture, skin coloured or slightly dark. It can be as small as a pinhead or the size of a pea and can grow in clusters.

Flat Warts
Skin coloured and raised from the skin with a flat top. They can be itchy and are more common on the wrists or face.

Plantar Warts
Also known as verruca, it is flat on the surface of the skin.

Genital Warts
Small, soft and pinkish with cauliflower-like growth.

Types of Treatment Available
Warts can be persistent to treat so it won’t go away the day after treatment has started, it can take few weeks to disappear. If left untreated it can be uncomfortable and takes years before it goes away by itself.

You can treat warts and verrucas yourself with medicines over the counter, unless you are diabetic or the wart is located on the face, genitals or anal. In these cases you need to see a doctor for treatment.

Women with genital warts should have a cervical smear test done once a year. Avoid scratching the warts so that it doesn’t get sore or spread. Avoid sharing towels so that it does not spread to others.

Treatment Paint – it can be applied to the surface of the warts or verrucas. The paints contain salicylic acid, causing the skin to soften, dissolving and loosening the wart. This type of treatment can last up to eight weeks.

Freezing – treatment with liquid nitrogen sprayed onto the wart or verruca, freezing it and helping destroying it. This treatment can be provided by your local doctor, practice nurse or skin specialist. Depending on the wart or verruca it can take one or several course of treatment. This treatment can sting a little and the skin can be tender for a few days, it may be painful to walk for a few days after treatment as pressure is applied to the treated area. It is not suitable for very young children.