Answering your FAQ's on Verrucas

Answering your FAQ’s on Verrucas

by with No Comment Business

Today we’re going to be answering your FAQ’s on Verrucas to conclude our mini series.

Missed any of our previous posts? No problem! Catch up below before we dive into your FAQ’s!
What is a Verruca?
How to prevent Verrucas
How do you get rid of a Verruca?

Answering your FAQ's on Verrucas

Answering your FAQ’s on verrucas

How do I know if I have a verruca?
Verrucas are fairly easy to identify by looking for the telltale signs. From their ‘cauliflower’-like appearance to the tiny black dots (broken blood capillaries) that you’ll see at their centre. They can often feel itchy, and sometimes, due to their location, they can even be painful.

If you’re unsure about whether you have a verruca or not, visit your local chiropodist who will be able to diagnose and treat you.

Who can get verrucas?
Verrucas are most common in children and younger adults, but they can affect anybody.

Are verrucas contagious?
Yes, highly! Passed on by the human papilloma virus (HPV), infection can spread easily through broken or damaged skin.

Find out how to lessen your chances of getting a verruca in our blog post here.

How long do verrucas last?
It’s difficult to pin a timeframe to just how long verrucas last. Left untreated, they may last months or even years – there’s also a higher chance that they can spread which makes treatment more difficult. It’s always best to seek treatment as early as possible for the best results.

Is it normal for a verruca to bleed?
Verrucas can, and often do, bleed if they are scratched or disrupted. Sometimes, the friction from walking can also cause a verruca to bleed.

How do I prevent getting a verruca?
Find out how to lessen your chances of getting a verruca in our blog post here.

How can I get rid of a verruca?
We’re glad you asked! The best way to get rid of a verruca is to visit your local chiropodist who will advise you on the best treatment for you. In the meantime, if you’d like some information on the various common treatments available for verrucas, you can find out more in our blog post here.

Need some help or advice?

We really hope you’ve enjoyed our mini post series on verrucas, and that it’s been helpful.

Don’t forget that we’re always here for you if you need us. Give us a call today on 01226 759 660 or contact us here to book your appointment.

How to prevent verrucas

How to prevent verrucas: keep protected poolside this summer

by with No Comment Business

Welcome back to our mini series all about verrucas! If you missed part one, you can catch up here: ‘What is a verruca?’ Today, we’re talking about how to prevent verrucas whether you’re poolside or staying home this summer.

Firstly, let’s recap on exactly what a verruca is. Commonly referred to as a ‘plantar wart’ by chiropodists, a verruca is a wart on the sole of the foot. Caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), verrucas are super common. Whether through skin-to-skin contact or via a contaminated surface, verrucas are easily spread. But there are measures you can take to lesson your chances of getting them.

In today’s post, we’ll take a look at some of the more common preventative measures. 

How to prevent verrucas

1. Protect broken or damaged skin 
HPV easy infects broken or damaged skin, so protecting any broken or damaged areas is a great way to lesson the risk of infection. Waterproof plasters are a great option to protect your feet whilst poolside.

2. Wear flip flops or sliders poolside or in communal areas
As HPV is passed on easily by skin-to-skin or contaminated surfaces, it makes sense to avoid going barefoot in communal areas. Swimming pool tiles or even gym changing rooms are real hotspots for verrucas, so keep a pair of flip flops or sliders handy to protect your feet. 

3. Keep your feet dry
Verrucas tend to spread easier when skin is damp, so ensure to dry your feet thoroughly after activities like swimming.

4. Always use clean towels/socks/hosiery 
As bacteria and germs thrive in warm, damp places, it makes perfect sense to ensure that your towels, socks and hosiery are always clean and dry before wearing. 

5. Don’t share towels, socks or shoes with other people
Sharing personal items is a great way to heighten your risk of getting a verruca. So eradicate that risk by keeping personal items like these just for yourself. 

How to prevent verrucas

Already got a verruca and want to prevent the spread?

1. Seek treatment as soon as possible
It’s always much easier to treat one verruca, rather than many. So seeking treatment at the first sign of a verruca before the infection has the chance to spread is the most sensible approach. 

2. Avoid touching or scratching the verruca
As verrucas are spread via contact, it’s really important to avoid touching or scratching them where possible. If you do need to touch them for any reason, ensure that you wear gloves and that you wash your hands thoroughly before and afterwards.

3. Wash socks, hosiery and towels at 60 degrees
As HPV can spread via contaminated surfaces, ensure your towels/socks/hosiery are washed at a higher temperature to help kill any bacteria that might be lingering.

4. Don’t go barefoot
Help protect yourself and others by keeping your feet covered, whether that’s by wearing shoes in communal areas, or wearing a waterproof plaster whilst swimming.

Join us next Friday where we’ll be discussing the most common treatment options for verrucas.

Need to book in for our verruca treatments?
Give us a call today on 01226 759 660 or contact us here to book your appointment.