What Is a Verruca? Understanding This Common Foot Worry

Let’s be honest—anything weird growing on your foot is enough to make you do a double take. And when it comes to verrucas, confusion is pretty common. Is it a wart? A corn? A fungal thing? Should you ignore it, scrub it, cover it, or rush to a clinic?

If you’ve ever spotted a rough, hard patch on your sole and wondered what on earth it was, this post is for you. We’re going to break down what a verruca actually is, what causes it, how it spreads, and what you can do to stop it from becoming a bigger issue.

First Things First—What Is a Verruca?

A verruca is a type of wart that appears on the soles of your feet. You might also hear it called a plantar wart (from plantar, meaning the bottom of the foot). It’s caused by a virus—specifically, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Yes, the same family of viruses that causes warts elsewhere on the body is responsible for these little foot invaders too.

They usually show up as small, flat, rough patches of skin with a hard centre. Sometimes they’re painful, especially when you walk on them, and they might have little black dots in the middle (those are tiny blood vessels, not dirt—no amount of scrubbing will shift them!).

And here’s the frustrating part: verrucas are super common, but they don’t always go away quickly. In some people, they’ll clear up in a few months. In others, they can stick around for years if left untreated.

What Causes a Verruca?

The culprit is HPV, but it’s not as simple as stepping on the virus and instantly getting a verruca. A few things make it more likely to take hold:

• Broken or damp skin – The virus gets in through tiny cuts or soft, damp areas.

• Walking barefoot in public places – Think swimming pools, gym showers, or changing rooms.

• A weakened immune system – If your body’s defences are down, you’re more likely to pick up viruses like HPV.

So, while anyone can get a verruca, they’re especially common in kids, athletes, and people who regularly use communal showers or go barefoot in public spaces.

How Do Verrucas Spread?

This is where things get a bit tricky. Verrucas are highly contagious, but they don’t spread through the air or by direct skin contact in the way you might think.

Instead, they spread when the virus is left behind on damp surfaces. For example, if someone with a verruca walks barefoot around a swimming pool, the virus can survive on the tiles. The next person who walks over that same spot with a small cut or damp skin might pick it up.

It’s easy to see how the whole household could end up with them if one person walks around barefoot on bathroom floors or in the shower.

Signs You Might Have a Verruca

Not sure if that odd little lump is a verruca? Here’s what to look out for:

• A hard, rough patch of skin on the sole of your foot

• Pain when walking or standing (as if you’re stepping on a small stone)

• Tiny black dots in the middle (these are clotted blood vessels)

• A lesion that interrupts the normal lines or grooves in your skin

• You may notice the skin around it getting thicker, too

And just to clear this up—it’s not a corn. Corns are caused by pressure and friction, and verrucas are caused by a virus. They might look similar, but the causes (and treatments) are completely different.

Should You Be Worried?

Verrucas aren’t dangerous, but they can become painful and frustrating—especially if they spread, grow inwards, or start popping up in clusters (known as mosaic verrucas).

Plus, if you’ve had one for a while and it’s not budging, chances are it needs some professional attention. Some people try home remedies for months with no luck. Others are surprised by how quickly a verruca clears up with the right approach.

What Can You Do About It?

The good news? You don’t have to live with it forever. There are a number of safe and effective treatments available, including:

• Cryotherapy (freezing)

• Acid-based treatments

• Laser therapy or Swift microwave therapy

• Minor surgery (in persistent cases)

And if you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, your local podiatry clinic can take a look and guide you on the best course of action.

Final Thoughts

Verrucas might be small, but they can cause big frustration. If you’ve been dealing with one for a while, or just want to know how to stop them from spreading in your home or gym, don’t leave it to guesswork. A quick check-up can save you months of discomfort (and wasted time on over-the-counter gels that do nothing).

Got questions or think you’ve got a verruca that needs sorting? Reach out to your local foot expert and take the first step towards getting back to walking comfortably.