Diagnosis & symptoms
Verrucae are a viral infection of the skin which causes localised patches of abnormal skin.
They are diagnosed through careful examination in clinic. They are often mistaken for corns.
Some skin cancers may have a similar appearance. In light of this we recommend all suspicious growths on your skin be checked by your Podiatrist or GP.
Verrucae are often painless. They are usually only painful if sited on the foot in a position where they are pinched when walking or when wearing footwear. There typically is no pain on direct pressure. This often leads to the situation where you may have verrucae and not know about them as they do not hurt.
Skin textural changes are noted with verrucae. Instead of the usual smooth and striated appearance of your skin, a cauliflower type texture may be noted in the localised area where the infection is present.
The infected area is usually slightly raised above the surface of the surrounding skin. This may be less noticeable on weight bearing areas where the skin and verrucae are often on the same level.
Colour changes are evident with verrucae with a slightly white appearance if the skin is moist. If the skin is hard and dry and the verrucae is over a weight bearing part of the foot, then there can be a yellowish hue.
“Black spots” in the infected skin are often quoted by people as being an indicator that the infection is a verrucae. This is often not the case! When “black spots” are visible in the infected skin, what is being seen are the sub dermal capillaries (blood vessels) that supply this patch of skin.
Typical causes
All verrucae are caused by the HPV virus. This virus is ever present in the environment. It is opportunistic and will only affect your skin if it gets into your skin through a cut, scratch or crack, or when your skin is very soggy and prune like as it is after a long bath or swimming. In light of this, wearing Crocs, flip flops or similar footwear in public showers and changing rooms will hopefully reduce your chances of getting verrucae.
Types of verrucae treatment available
Verrucae can be very difficult to treat and eradicate. Everybody responds slightly different to the treatment and the treatment duration is different for everyone. Although there are many treatment types available, here at Footfriend we use two main verrucae treatment types:
Acid treatment
We use specific acids and caustic agents safe to use on skin. We find that for most people they are well tolerated and effective, most importantly returning the skin to 100% normal. The treatment works by physically reducing infected tissue and also initiating an immune response so your own immune system can fight the virus. This treatment is suitable for most people and is effective in most cases. The downside is that we don’t know how long the treatment will take and some verrucae are very difficult to eradicate.
Swift microwave therapy
Swift Microwave Therapy uses thermal energy to treat skin lesions. The Swift Microwave generator creates precise localised heat, which can result in cell destruction. More importantly through the hyperthermia created by the microwave application, heat shock proteins are released from the infected tissue which are the markers alerting the immune system to the presence of the HPV virus. This enables the immune system to target the verrucae which was previously invisible to the immune system. The method has already proven to be highly effective at treating even the most stubborn verrucae. Here at Footfriend we have been using this treatment and have found it may take as little as one microwave treatment, however an average of 3-4 treatments would be a realistic estimate. Generally, the older you are and the longer you have had your verrucae, the longer it may take. This treatment has many benefits from the patient’s perspective; no dressings, no foot to keep dry and no weekly appointment to attend, as is often the case with acid treatments. Read more about Swift Microwave Therapy.
