Warts (Verrucae)

What exactly are warts?

Plantar warts, clinically known as Verrucae, are warts that appear anywhere on the foot. A wart is an area of tissue that appears thickened, raised, and is normally circular. They are normally not painful unless there is an application of pressure. 

How do you get a wart?

Contact with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the main reason warts develop. Anyone can have a wart, but warts occur more frequently in children and the elderly. 

How do I know if I have a wart?

Symptoms of warts include:

• A circular area or clusters of thick, raised tissue
• Pain when squeezed or stepped on
• Tiny black dots (dried blood)

How are warts treated?

Warts can go away on their own, but it can take a very long time. There are many options available from the pharmacy - though these can be often ineffective and sometimes dangerous if not used correctly. At South Burnett Podiatry, we have multiple treatment options available including:

• Salicylic acid
• Silver nitrate treatment
• Freezing (cryotherapy)
• VISIT multi-puncture treatment
• Minor surgery to ‘scoop out’ the wart