How to Avoid Needing Verruca Removal Treatment
It’s one thing if you already have verrucas and you are searching for options for verruca removal. But what if you want to avoid getting verrucas in the first place? It’s important to know what causes them and how they are spread from person to person.
What causes verrucas?
Verrucas are warts on the feet that invade the skin through very small cuts or scrapes. They can often be very painful because the pressure from normal walking and standing forces the verruca into the skin. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and sometimes won’t appear for weeks or even months once the infection enters the body. There are more than 100 different strains of HPV which are responsible for different types of warts that affect the skin and membranes that line the body.
How are verrucas spread?
Verrucas are spread directly through close skin-to-skin contact and indirectly through objects that have been contaminated such as:
- Shoes
- Towels
- Areas around public swimming pools
- Communal changing rooms
Even though verrucas are specifically warts on your feet, they can still be spread to other parts of your body, especially if you somehow injure the verruca causing it to break open and bleed. For example, let’s say you have a verruca on the sole of your foot and you step on a rock while walking outside barefoot and the verruca is cut open. After letting out a little yelp, more out of irritation then pain, you use your finger to apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Then you have a pesky fly land on your arm and you use the same finger to brush it away. You’re now at risk of getting a wart on your arm.
As long as you have verrucas they are considered to be contagious, so it’s important that you find out about your verruca removal options. They are even more likely to spread if the skin is soft, wet, or has been in contact with a rough surface.
What verruca removal options are available?
The good news is there are a few options for verruca removal. They are:
- Cryotherapy or freezing of the verruca
- Application of chemicals
- Surgery in extreme cases
It’s important to remember that verrucas can be difficult to remove and success isn’t guaranteed because the infection could return. However, the podiatrists at Beauchamp Foot Care have more than 20 years experience in treating foot conditions, and are ready and willing to discuss your options for verruca removal. Contact us today!
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All information on this website is for general guidance only and is not intended as a substitute for the personal medical advice of health care professionals or your own doctor.