What are warts and Verrucas?
Warts are small thickened growths on the skin surface due to infection with a virus. They can occur anywhere on the body, but are found most commonly on the hands. They usually affect only the top layer of skin and are not usually painful, but may be itchy or irritating.
When warts occur on the feet they are called Verrucas. Because of the pressure from the weight of the body, the verruca is flattened and forced into the skin of the sole and this can sometimes cause discomfort or pain when walking. Verrucas are also caused by a virus, which is usually picked up from the floors in public swimming pools or communal showers.
Who suffers from them?
Most people get at least one wart or verruca at some time in their lives. Some people get just one, whereas other people get several at one time. They occur most commonly in children and adolescents and they can be passed from person to person. Once you have had one or more warts or Verrucas and they have been treated, you will usually not get them again for months or even years.
How are warts and Verrucas treated?
Warts and Verrucas usually disappear without treatment but this may take a long time. This is the ideal outcome as it allows the body to fully develop immunity to the wart virus, which should prevent the warts recurring. Furthermore, there will be absolutely no scarring following natural resolution.
Treatment
This is seldom necessary, but if desired, seek the advice of the Pharmacist to buy a suitable preparation. This is best applied to the base of the growth, after cutting off the dead top with a sterile sharp knife, razor blade, or abrasive. Do not go so deep as to make it bleed. Repeat the cutting or scraping away of the dead part between applications. Wart preparations need to be applied for at least 12 weeks for best results.
The two main mistakes are:-
1) Putting the chemical on thick or already dead tissues
2) Burning the surrounding skin by using too much, and not protecting the skin according to instructions.
Let nature take its course.
Do not leave scars where nature doesn’t.
