Definition
Verrucae or warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus and are one of the most common viral infections of the skin. Verrucae can occur anywhere on the foot and are usually well circumscribed and have a cloud-like or cauliflower appearance. Red or black dots within the lesion are also normal and represent vascular and or nerve involvement. It is common for thick callous to surround and cover the lesion especially on weight-bearing areas. Verrucae covering a large area of skin are known as ‘mosaic warts’ and are usually more superficial than a single lesion. The virus that causes verrucae can be transmitted through barefoot activity around gymnasiums, swimming pools and showers.
Treatment Options
| Lesion size |
Number Treatments |
Pain level | Patient type | Cost | |
Natural methodTea Tree oil topically and oral immune booster such as Olive Leaf Extract |
any | Ongoing till resolved (up to 12 months), applied at home. Cover verrucae with occlusive tape between times | none | Suitable for all ages | Minimal, with 6 weekly clinic appointment for debridement @ $60 per visit |
Sliver NitrateTopical Keratolytic AgNo3 |
> 3mm | Home based, applied topically to lesion and black residue filed away after 24h, then reapplied and so on.
|
Nothing to mild sting | Children
Elderly |
Kit available from us ($20), with debridement as necessary ($60) |
Salacylic acid paintFrom chemist. 25% salacylic |
any size | Home based, but with 4-6 weekly clinical visit for debridement. Can be combined with gentler remedies. | Mild | Everyone | paint is not expensive, and clinic debridement appts $60 4-6 weeks |
| Salicylic Acid
85% strength, topical causes aseptic tissue necrosis |
6mm+ | Varies with depth of lesion, 3-8 weeks, once every 4 days | Usually mild initially, then throbs over time | Early teens -Adult | $60 per appointment for 1 lesion or $78 if multiple |
Freezing – cryotherapyBlister formation similar to a burn |
1-10mm | Up to 3 sessions
3mm = 1 session 6mm = 2 sessions |
Blister formation is encouraged but can be very, very painful | Teenage – Adult only | $100 per lesion, per application |
Verrucae’s can resolve spontaneously and once treatment is underway every lesion responds differently. The above treatment plans are a guide only and times, costs and pain level can vary for each individual enormously.