Verruca / Plantar Warts


Verrucas (Plantar Warts)

If you’ve noticed a painful spot on the sole of your foot that feels like you’re walking on a stone, it may be a verruca (also called a plantar wart). Verrucas are extremely common and can affect adults and children, especially if you’re active, on your feet all day, or regularly use shared changing areas like gyms or swimming pools.

At Step Right, we treat verrucas every week in our foot health clinics and help people get back to walking comfortably again.

What is a Verruca?

A verruca is a type of wart that forms on the bottom of the foot. Verrucas are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the top layer of skin.

Unlike normal warts that stick out, verrucas often grow inwards because of the pressure from standing and walking. That’s why they can be sore or feel deep and bruised.

Other names for verrucas:

  • Plantar wart
  • Wart on the sole of the foot
  • Foot wart

Verruca vs Corn: What’s the Difference?

A verruca can look similar to a corn or hard skin, but there are a few key differences.

Verruca signs:

✅ Often has tiny black dots (small blood vessels)
✅ Painful when you squeeze it from the sides
✅ Skin lines may look disrupted
✅ May be surrounded by rough or thickened skin

Corn signs:

✅ Usually sits directly over pressure points
✅ More painful when you press straight down
✅ Skin lines often continue through the area
✅ Typically linked to footwear rubbing or foot shape

If you’re unsure, it’s best to get it checked — treating the wrong thing can waste weeks.

What Causes Verrucas?

Verrucas are caused by HPV entering the skin through small cracks or weak areas.

Common ways verrucas spread include:

  • Walking barefoot in public showers, gyms, pools, or changing rooms
  • Sharing towels, socks, shoes, or footwear
  • Picking or scratching the area
  • Touching the verruca and then touching another part of the foot

Not everyone who comes into contact with HPV gets verrucas — your immune system plays a big role.

Are Verrucas Contagious?

Yes — verrucas are contagious, but not in a “panic” way.

You’re more likely to spread verrucas when:

  • The skin is soft/damp
  • The verruca is being filed or cut
  • There are multiple verrucas in a cluster
  • Your immune system is run down

Good news: with proper treatment and hygiene, you can reduce spread quickly.

Verruca Symptoms (How Do You Know You Have One?)

You might have a verruca if you notice:

  • A rough patch on the sole of the foot
  • A small painful lump
  • Discomfort when walking or standing
  • A lesion that feels like a pebble under the foot
  • Black pinpoints inside the skin
  • Thickened skin around the area

Some verrucas are painless — but they can still spread or multiply if left untreated.

Do Verrucas Go Away on Their Own?

Sometimes, yes. But many verrucas last months (or even years), especially in adults.

Your immune system may eventually clear the virus, but waiting can mean:

  • More pain over time
  • Verruca spreading into a cluster (“mosaic warts”)
  • Increased treatment time later
  • Higher risk of spreading to family members

If it’s sore, spreading, or not improving, it’s worth treating early.

How Long Does Verruca Treatment Take?

Verrucas rarely disappear overnight. Treatment time depends on:

  • How deep it is
  • How long it’s been there
  • Your immune response
  • Whether it’s on a high-pressure area
  • How consistent treatment is

A realistic expectation is several weeks, and sometimes longer for deep verrucas.

The earlier you start, the easier they usually are to treat.

Verruca Prevention (Stop It Spreading or Coming Back)

  • To reduce spread and re-infection:
  • Wear flip-flops in communal showers/pools
  • Don’t share towels or socks
  • Keep feet clean and dry
  • Cover the verruca during treatment
  • Avoid picking or cutting it
  • Don’t use the same file on healthy skin

When Should You Get a Verruca Checked?

We recommend booking in if:

  • It’s painful or affecting your walking
  • It’s spreading into multiple spots
  • You’re unsure if it’s a verruca or a corn
  • You’ve tried treatment and it won’t shift
  • You have diabetes, circulation issues, or reduced sensation

Verruca Treatment in Waterford & New Ross

Step Right offers verruca treatment and advice in:

📍 Waterford
📍 New Ross

We’re known for being thorough, friendly, and focused on real results — not quick fixes.

👉 Book your verruca appointment today and let’s get you walking comfortably again.