Warts and verrucas explained: causes, treatment and self-care

What warts and verrucas are

Warts and verrucas are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the top layer of skin and makes it grow faster and thicker, producing a firm, rough lump. On most parts of the body a wart sticks up as a raised, cauliflower-like bump. On the sole of the foot the pressure of walking pushes it inward, so a verruca often appears flat, with a rough surface and sometimes tiny black dots, and can feel like standing on a small stone. There are many different types of HPV, and the ones that cause common warts and verrucas are not the same as the types linked to more serious health problems, so a wart on the hand or foot is not a cause for alarm.

How they spread

The virus spreads through direct skin contact and through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects, such as damp floors around swimming pools and communal showers, shared towels, or shared shoes and socks. It gets in more easily where the skin is broken, wet or softened. Warts and verrucas are only mildly contagious, and not everyone who comes into contact with the virus will develop one — it depends partly on the individual's immune response. This is why some people get repeated warts while others never do. Because verrucas spread in wet communal areas, covering them and taking sensible precautions in pools and changing rooms reduces the chance of passing them on.

Do they need treating?

In many cases the best approach is to do nothing. Warts and verrucas are harmless, and the immune system usually clears them by itself over time — often within months to a couple of years, though it can take longer, especially in adults. Treatment is worth considering if a wart is painful, in an awkward spot, spreading, or bothering you. It is important to know that treatment does not always work, can take weeks of persistence, and that even after successful treatment warts can return, because the treatment tackles the lump rather than fully eradicating the virus. Weighing this up helps set realistic expectations, particularly for children, where leaving a harmless wart alone is often the kindest option.

Treatment options

The main self-treatments, available from pharmacies, are salicylic acid preparations — gels, liquids or medicated plasters applied over time to gradually remove the wart tissue — and home freezing (cryotherapy) kits. These need patience and regular application over weeks, and gently filing the surface and protecting surrounding healthy skin improves results. A pharmacist can advise which product suits you and how to use it safely. Some people are advised to avoid these treatments — for example, on the face, or if you have diabetes or poor circulation, where a GP should be involved. Persistent or troublesome warts may be treated by a clinician, sometimes with freezing, but many stubborn warts are simply left to clear naturally.

When to see a GP

Most warts and verrucas need no medical attention, but see a GP in certain situations: if a growth is painful, changes in appearance, bleeds, or you are unsure whether it is really a wart, because other skin lesions can look similar and need proper assessment. People with diabetes should not self-treat a verruca on the foot and should seek advice, as foot problems carry a higher risk of complications. Warts on the face or genital area are treated differently and should be assessed by a clinician rather than with over-the-counter foot and hand products. As a general rule, any skin lump that grows quickly, changes colour, bleeds or does not heal should be checked rather than assumed to be a harmless wart.