Verrucas typically go away on their own, but if they produce symptoms, they may require treatment. For example, around half of these will go away after a year, two-thirds will go away after two years, and the remaining one-third will be stubborn and resistant to therapy. Here we talk about verrucas and when to call our GP for verrucas in Marbella.
What are Verrucas?
Verrucas, verrucae, or plantar warts are tiny lesions, rough lumps, warts, or growths that often appear on particular regions of the foot, such as the balls of the feet and the heel, where pressure is applied.
They are caused by a viral infection of Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 1 and 2, and occasionally 4 and 5. The epithelium, or top layer of the skin, is attacked by this virus. As a result, the cells multiply or create a growth or elevated plaque. The lesion may not appear for up to a year or two after the initial viral invasion.
Mode of spread
Person-to-person contact is the most common way for verrucas to spread. Sharing communal baths where other persons with verrucas have showered is a common mode of transmission. Infections are prevalent when the skin of one's foot is cut, injured, or ulcerated in any way.
Spread can also occur as a result of nail biting, finger sucking, scratching, or shaving. As a result, the virus spreads to other parts of the same person's body.
Symptoms and signs of verrucas
The majority of persons with verrucae experience pain when walking. Discomfort from verrucae in the pressure regions of the foot can cause a change in posture while walking, which can lead to leg or back pain.
Although this disease affects families, it is not hereditary. It is extremely infectious, and more than one family member is afflicted at the same time.
Our GP for verrucas in Marbella explains that patients with poor immunity, AIDS, eczema, diabetes, who have had a donated organ and are using immunosuppressant medicines, and those with lymphomas and leukemias are at a higher risk of contracting this illness. Within five years, almost half of all patients who have received a kidney transplant acquire warts.
Diagnosis of verrucas
Clinical examination is used to make the diagnosis, and other diseases that resemble similar warts must be checked out too. These are some examples:
- Calluses
- corns
- black heel
- arsenic induced keratosis
- verrucous squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer of the feet)
- cutaneous horn
- actinic keratosis
- lichen nitidus
- lichen planus
- seborrhoeic keratosis etc.
- molluscus contagiosum
Treatment of verrucas
Our GP for verrucas in Marbella explains that if the condition is neither unpleasant or symptomatic, there may be no need for treatment. Many patients are encouraged to take precautions to avoid recurrence and spread. Candidates for therapy include those with painful warts, lowered immunity, persistent warts for more than two years, and those who want to be treated.
Salicylate medicines are used to treat the condition. These are available as gels, paints, plasters, colloidion, and other forms.
Some people prefer cryotherapy, which involves freezing the warts until they fall off. Rarely, surgery and wart removal are performed. Other treatments include injections of the verruca with interferon, 5-flurouracil, bleomycin, and other antibiotics.
When to call our GP for verrucas in Marbella
If you are unsure about the nature of your foot lesion, it is always best to consult our GP for verrucas in Marbella or our podiatrist. Please contact us if you have any queries concerning your corn or verruca.