Myths and Legends About Verrucas
Myths and Legends About Verrucas!
Verruca pedis is one of the most common conditions we treat in the clinic daily.
It is certainly one of the most Googled foot conditions.
As with everything on the internet there is good and bad sources of information, verruca treatments are no exception.
They go from the sublime, to the ridiculous to the outright dangerous! This post will banish some of the myths and legends of verruca treatment and provide you with the facts on evidence-based verruca treatments.
Facts
- Verrucas come from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) of which there are lots of varying strains.
- They are opportunistic and most commonly invade the skin on the soles of the feet if there is an abrasion or a cut in the skin surface.
- The virus is most caught on shared surfaces such as swimming pool tiles, shower trays and gym changing room floors. It can also be transferred by skin-to-skin contact.
- The incubation period of a verruca is thought to range from a couple of months to over a year.
- Most interestingly they can clear spontaneously without any treatment, however, they can also be persistent for years.
- For some people they can be very painful or for others pain free.
- Despite what you might read, there isn’t one single treatment that guarantees resolution. As with every virus you can also catch it again.
This is where the myths and legends begin!
I would like to dispel some of the most suggested treatments, I have read online and explain why these treatments are not feasible.
Duct Tape
The evidence is poor for using duct tape on verruci, although masking the verruca can reduce the pain. One of the main reasons we don’t always recommend this is Duct Tape is an industrial use tape, it has not been designed for use on the skin. As a result, it has been known to cause irritation and even topical dermatitis in some patients.
Picking Out The Black Dots
The black dots are the verruca’s blood vessels and as previously mentioned, causing the verruca to bleed can lead to spreading. Not all verruci have black dots and picking those can get the virus around your nails.
Warts Have Roots
They don’t. Warts and verruci are a result of rapid growth of the top layer of the skin. If they seem to be deep, it’s only because they are displacing other layers.
Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut Oil, Vicks Vapour Rub, Tea Tree Oil, Banana Peel
There is no clinical evidence to suggest any of these treatments will help treat your verruca, they will however make your foot smell strange!
Cutting Them Out
Verruci can be reduced using a foot file. Reducing the hard skin on top is not the same as cutting it out! Be aware that picking or scratching the verruca can cause it to bleed and spread more easily. Cutting it out involves local anaesthetic as it is a minor procedure.
So, as you can see there are a lot of proposed miracle cures out there on the internet but unfortunately few of these, have any scientific evidence behind them. It is a case of please don’t believe everything you read on the internet. However, there are treatments that are backed up by scientific research and these are the treatments we choose to use in our clinic. These include:
- Swift Microwave Therapy
- Verruca Needling or Electrosurgery
- Cryotherapy
- Acid Treatments such as Verrutop and Salicylic Acid
If you are experiencing any discomfort in your feet, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call today on 01455 246100 to chat through your needs.
We also offer treatments for nails, hard skin, ingrown toenails, and advice for people with Diabetes. With our expertise and experience, you will have full peace of mind when it comes to your foot health.
For more information about our range of treatments, please contact us on 01455 246100. We would love to help you with any foot health issues you may have.
Thank you for reading,
Faye Vogiatzoglou