What causes verrucas?
Verrucas are caused by the highly infectious human papilloma virus. The most common source of infection are communal showers, swimming pools and changing rooms. Although anyone can catch verrucas, they seem to be more common in young people aged 6 to 16. The virus enters the skin of another person’s foot either through a tiny cut, abrasion or through wet, softened soggy skin, causing a lump or swelling on the sole of the foot. They are usually painless, but the weight of the body pressing down on them often causes pain or discomfort in the verruca. The surface of the verruca is slightly raised and darker than the surrounding skin, and on closer examination one can often see one or more dark spots in the centre of the verruca, said to resemble a pepper pot top! This is the core, which is almost like a root which grows down into the skin. The outer skin surface of the verruca sheds tiny scales and skin cells, which contain the offending virus, onto floors. To prevent spread anyone with a
