Verruca (wart)

A verruca (wart) is a benign skin growth caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts often appear on the hands and feet and are contagious.

Types

• verruca vulgaris (common wart): often on fingers, hands and knees; rough, horny surface
• verruca plantaris (plantar wart): grows inwards under pressure on the sole; painful
• verruca plana (flat wart): smooth, flat, often in groups on the face or arms
• seborrhoeic wart: not a real wart and not caused by HPV
• genital warts: sexually transmitted

Symptoms

• rough or horny raised skin
• pain – especially with plantar warts
• black dots in the wart (small blood vessels)
• spreading through scratching or skin contact

Treatment

• freezing sprays and salicylic acid preparations from the pharmacy
• podiatric treatment of stubborn plantar warts
• medical freezing with liquid nitrogen, laser or electrocoagulation
• surgical removal for very deep warts

Prevention

• wear flip-flops in pools and changing rooms
• do not scratch warts
• keep feet dry

More in our guide Warts on the foot.