Warts and Verrucas

Warts and verrucas are small, rough lumps that grow on your skin. Almost everyone gets them at some point in their life. The good news is they're not harmful and usually go away by themselves - though this can take months or even years.

What Do They Look Like?

Warts feel firm and rough to touch. They usually appear on your:

• Hands and fingers
• Palms
• Knuckles
• Knees

Most warts are the same colour as your skin, but they might look darker if you have black or brown skin. Some warts are flat and yellow, and you might get many of them together.

Verrucas grow on your feet. They look like warts but have tiny black dots underneath the hard skin. These black dots are actually small blood vessels.

Sometimes warts group together in clusters - these are called "mosaic warts" and are common on feet and hands.

Do They Hurt?

Most warts don't hurt, but some people find them itchy or embarrassing. Verrucas are more likely to be painful - many people say it feels like standing on a needle when they walk.

What Causes Them?

Warts and verrucas are caused by a virus. You can catch this virus from:

• Touching contaminated surfaces
• Close skin contact with someone who has them
• Walking barefoot in public places like swimming pools or changing rooms

You're more likely to catch or spread them if your skin is wet or damaged. It can take months after catching the virus before a wart or verruca appears.

Can You Treat Them?

You don't have to treat warts or verrucas unless they bother you. If they're painful or keep coming back, you have several options:

From the pharmacy: You can buy creams, plasters, and sprays. These treatments:

• Take up to 3 months to work
• Might irritate your skin
• Don't always work
• Should never be used on your face

From your GP: Your doctor might be able to freeze the wart so it falls off after a few weeks. Sometimes this needs several sessions. Check if the NHS pays for this treatment in your area.

How to Stop Them Spreading

Do:

• Wash your hands after touching a wart or verruca
• Change your socks daily if you have a verruca
• Cover them with a plaster when swimming
• Be careful not to cut them when shaving

Don't:

• Share towels, flannels, socks, or shoes
• Bite your nails or suck fingers with warts
• Walk barefoot in public places if you have a verruca
• Scratch or pick at them

When to Speak to Your GP

You should speak to your GP if:

• You're worried about any growth on your skin
• You have a wart or verruca that keeps coming back
• You have a very large or painful wart or verruca
• You have a wart that bleeds or changes how it looks
• You have a wart on your face or genitals

For genital warts: Visit a sexual health clinic for specialist treatment.

Remember, most warts and verrucas are harmless and will disappear on their own with time.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.