VERRUCAS & PLANTAR WARTS
Stubborn, painful verruca or wart on the sole of your foot?
Verrucas (plantar warts) are viral skin lesions caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Because walking drives them inward, they can become deeply uncomfortable. Our podiatrists provide effective clinical treatments, including Class 4 laser therapy.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Does any of this sound familiar?
Verrucas typically appear on weight-bearing areas of the sole or around toes:
- A rough, cauliflower-textured lump on the sole of the foot or heel
- Tiny black pinpoints (capillary vessels) visible within the lesion
- Sharp pain when pinching the lesion from side-to-side
- Discomfort when bearing weight or walking barefoot on hard floors
- Overlying hard skin (callus) obscuring the true lesion size
- Clusters of multiple verrucas spreading (mosaic warts)
Verrucas are viral, not bacterial — they need an immune trigger to clear.
Our clinical treatments stimulate the body's immune response to resolve stubborn lesions.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
What causes verrucas and plantar warts?
Plantar warts are caused by strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) entering the skin:
HPV infection
The virus enters through microscopic cuts or abrasions on the sole of the foot.
Communal wet surfaces
Swimming pools, hotel showers, and school changing rooms are common transmission sites.
Weight-bearing pressure
Walking forces the wart to grow inward beneath a thick layer of protective callus.
Immune evasion
The virus stays in the outer epidermis, escaping normal immune detection for long periods.
WHEN TO SEEK ASSESSMENT
When should you consider getting a verruca checked?
Consider arranging an assessment if:
- Over-the-counter freeze sprays or acid plasters have not cleared it
- The lesion causes pain with walking, running, or standing
- The wart is growing or spreading into a cluster (mosaic)
- You are unsure whether it is a verruca or a corn
- You have diabetes or reduced circulation
YOUR APPOINTMENT
What happens when you come to see us?
We confirm the diagnosis, pare back the overlying callus, and apply targeted treatment
We diagnose
Your podiatrist differentiates the verruca from a corn or other skin lesion.
We debride
Painlessly removing the overlying hard skin exposes the active viral tissue.
We treat
We apply evidence-based clinical treatments suited to the lesion's size and location.
We plan
You receive a structured treatment schedule and home advice to trigger immune clearance.
OUR PREFERRED TREATMENT
Class 4 laser verruca treatment
Class 4 laser is our first-choice treatment for stubborn verrucas. The laser delivers a high-intensity beam of light through the surface of the skin to target the wart directly, destroying the infected tissue while keeping damage to the surrounding healthy skin to a minimum.
Why we recommend it
- Precise — It targets the wart tissue directly, improving the chances of clearance and reducing the risk of it coming back.
- Gentler than surgery — No cutting and no stitches.
- Comfortable — Most patients report minimal discomfort during and after treatment. A local anaesthetic can be used if needed.
- Ideal for stubborn verrucas — A strong option when freeze sprays, acid plasters or other treatments haven't worked.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment depends on what we find
Treatment aims to debride protective callus and trigger an immune response. Options include:
Not every treatment is appropriate for every patient. Your podiatrist will discuss suitable options after assessment.
- Class 4 Laser Verruca Treatment
- Clinical lesion debridement
- Targeted clinical chemical cautery / caustics
- Offloading padding to reduce weight-bearing pain
- Home treatment guidance & monitoring
- Verruca treatment courses for stubborn cases
FREE INFORMATION PACK
Free Verruca Information Pack
Practical, plain-English advice from our podiatrists you can start using at home today. Download your free guide in seconds.
We're here for you
Tired of Living With Pain? We Can Help
STEP 1 OF 2
Request a callback
Fill in your details and one of our team members will be in touch to help.
- Not sure who to ask?
- Not sure what to do next?
- Not sure who can help?
Please fill out the form and chat with one of our team members about your right next step.
Patient Reviews
What our patients say about their care
Real feedback from individuals who have trusted our clinical team with their mobility and foot health.
FAQ
Verruca & wart FAQs
READY TO GET STARTED?
Ready to get your verruca treated?
Book online at a time that suits you, or request a callback if you're unsure which appointment is right for you.