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Concern

Verrucae (Plantar Warts) Treatment in Canary Wharf, London

Verrucae are warts on the sole of the foot caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV); most clear on their own without treatment, but our HCPC-registered podiatrists can help when one is painful, spreading, or persistent.

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Verrucae (Plantar Warts)

What you're seeing

The concern

A verruca is a plantar wart caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), picked up through skin contact in communal areas such as gym changing rooms, pools, and shared showers. It typically appears as a rough, cauliflower-like lesion with tiny black dots (clotted capillaries) and may be painful when it sits over a weight-bearing area. NICE CKS notes that most verrucae are harmless and resolve spontaneously without treatment, particularly in children — often within months to a couple of years — and that no single treatment is reliably curative. Because the evidence base for many options is limited or mixed, our podiatrists focus on honest expectation-setting: we treat when a verruca is painful, enlarging, multiplying, or distressing, and we will tell you plainly when watchful waiting is the most sensible course. People with diabetes, poor circulation, or neuropathy should always have foot lesions assessed by a podiatrist rather than self-treating.

Why it happens

What drives it

  • Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters through small breaks in the skin on the sole of the foot
  • Walking barefoot in communal wet areas — swimming pools, gym changing rooms, and shared showers
  • Direct skin-to-skin contact with another person's verruca
  • Sharing towels, footwear, or floor surfaces where the virus persists
  • Minor cuts, cracks, or softened skin that give the virus an entry point
  • A less mature immune response to HPV, which is why verrucae are more common in children and teenagers

Treatment approach

How Christine treats it

Verruca Treatment (Swift)

Price on enquiry

Targeted podiatry treatment for painful, spreading, or persistent verrucae — debridement plus an appropriate approach for your case. We are honest that no treatment is reliably curative and discuss realistic expectations first.

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Initial Podiatry Consultation

Price on enquiry

A self-referral consultation to confirm the lesion is a verruca (and not a corn or other lesion), assess your circulation and medical history, and agree whether to treat or monitor — essential before any self-care if you have diabetes.

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FAQ

Common
questions

Do verrucae always need treatment?

No. NICE CKS advises that most verrucae are harmless and clear on their own without treatment, particularly in children, often within months to two years. We recommend treating when a verruca is painful, spreading, multiplying, or affecting your daily activities. Otherwise, watchful waiting is a reasonable and evidence-honest option.

Can a verruca be cured for certain?

No treatment is reliably curative. The evidence for many verruca treatments is limited or mixed, and lesions can recur because they are caused by a virus. Our podiatrists aim to reduce pain, limit spread, and encourage resolution, but we will not promise a guaranteed cure or a specific success rate.

I have diabetes — can I use over-the-counter verruca treatments?

No. Over-the-counter verruca and corn treatments often contain salicylic acid, which can damage skin and cause ulcers in people with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or neuropathy. Never self-treat foot lesions if you have these conditions — book a podiatry assessment so the verruca is managed safely instead.

When should I seek medical or podiatry help urgently?

Seek same-day medical advice if a verruca becomes increasingly red, swollen, warm, or painful, leaks pus, or you develop a fever — these can signal a spreading infection. Anyone with diabetes, poor circulation, or numbness should have any new or changing foot lesion assessed promptly rather than waiting.

How do I stop a verruca spreading to others?

Cover the verruca with a plaster or verruca sock when swimming or using shared changing areas, avoid sharing towels or footwear, and don't scratch or pick at it. Keep your feet dry and don't walk barefoot in communal wet areas while the lesion is active. These steps reduce HPV transmission.

Related Concerns

Athlete's Foot
Concern

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a common fungal skin infection that typically causes itchy, scaly, cracked skin between the toes, and our HCPC-registered podiatrists assess and treat it at our Canary Wharf and City Dock clinics.

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Canary Wharf Podiatry • 1 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HD

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