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How to Identify and Treat Ingrown Verrucae

By January 15, 2025 No Comments

An ingrown verruca is a wart caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that grows inward instead of outward. This happens due to pressure on the foot, particularly in weight-bearing areas such as the heel or ball of the foot. Left untreated, it can become painful and even lead to complications.

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How to Know If You Have an Ingrown Verruca

Here are some common signs:

  1. Small, Rough Patch of Skin: The verruca appears as a thickened area of skin.
  2. Black Dots: Tiny black spots may appear inside the verruca, representing trapped blood vessels.
  3. Inward Growth: The verruca is pressed into the skin, often causing pain when walking or standing.
  4. Pain or Tenderness: Ingrown verrucae can feel sharp or sore due to pressure.
  5. What Happens If You Pick a Verruca?
    Picking can worsen the condition, spread the virus, and increase the risk of infection.

10 Ways to Prevent Ingrown Verrucae

  1. Wear Flip-Flops in Public Areas: Protect your feet in communal showers and pools.
  2. Avoid Walking Barefoot: Especially in damp, shared spaces where HPV thrives.
  3. Keep Feet Clean and Dry: Reduce moisture that encourages viral growth.
  4. Moisturise Regularly: Prevent cracks where the virus can enter.
  5. Don’t Share Footwear or Towels: Avoid spreading the virus through personal items.
  6. Disinfect Footwear: Keep your shoes sanitised to reduce virus buildup.
  7. Trim Toenails Properly: To avoid pressure and potential entry points for the virus.
  8. Boost Immunity: A healthy diet and lifestyle help fight infections.
  9. Check Feet Regularly: Early detection of verrucae is key to preventing ingrown growth.
  10. Visit a Podiatrist: Early professional care prevents the condition from worsening.

Why See a Podiatrist for Ingrown Verrucae?

A podiatrist can provide expert care that is far more effective than home remedies or over-the-counter treatments. At Bucks Foot Clinic, our podiatrists offer:

  • Precise Diagnosis: Distinguishing verrucae from other foot conditions.
  • Effective Treatments: Swift microwave therapy, cryotherapy, or minor surgical removal.
  • Pain Relief: Expert care reduces discomfort and treats the root cause.
  • Prevention Plans: Custom solutions to avoid recurrence.

Why Choose Bucks Foot Clinic?

Bucks Foot Clinic has a proven track record of successfully treating ingrown verrucae. Our podiatrists use advanced methods to ensure lasting results. Here’s why our patients trust us:

  • High Success Rate: Our treatments are highly effective and tailored to your condition. We have 5 different ways of treating verrucae’s. From SWIFT, cryotherapy, needling, chemotherapy, and topical. We will find a perfect way for you.
  • Comprehensive Care: Combining Swift therapy, cryotherapy, and minor surgery for optimal results.
  • Experience: We are a group of qualified podiatrists. We have many years of experience in Verrucaes and have treated this effectively over the years. We will work with you to get rid of them.

Home Treatments for Ingrown Verrucae

If you want to try treating a verruca at home instead of seeing a podiatrist, these methods have been suggested. They would not give the same results as seeing a professional.

Although professional care is best, you can try these home remedies:

  1. Salicylic Acid Treatments: Over-the-counter solutions can soften the verruca. These can take many months to work.
  2. Scholl Verruca and Wart Complete Treatment Pen
    This product delivers targeted treatment for verrucas over several weeks. This is effective in very minor cases of verrucae, but the success rate is not as high as professional treatments like Swift or other methods done by a podiatrist.
  3. Scholl Verruca and Wart Remover Freeze Treatment
    This freezes the verruca, breaking down infected tissue. The success rates are really debatable, as the temperature does not drop to the same levels as a professional cryosurgery in a clinical environment.

These methods do not have any guarantees in working and in clinical tests they do not have any better success factors then doing nothing.

Banana Skin Verruca Removal
Rub the inside of a banana peel on the verruca, then cover it overnight. While some claim this works, it’s not scientifically proven. We have heard this a few times, but not been able to prove it works.

Duct Tape Method
Cover the verruca with duct tape, leave it for several days, and then gently file the dead skin away. This has never been proved to work on a medical basis. But people state it works

Apple Cider Vinegar
Soak cotton in vinegar, apply to the verruca, and secure it overnight. This also has no medical basis.

Foot Soaks: Soaking your feet in warm, soapy water can reduce discomfort. This will not help at all. It will help spread the virus to more parts of the feet, if there is any exposed wound.

Pumice Stone: This spreads the virus to other parts of the feet..

Cover the Verruca: Use plasters to protect the area and prevent spreading is the myth. This only prevents spreading to other people or on the feet. It is protests other people from catching the verrucae, but it does not heal the problem.

Please, please Avoid Picking or Cutting: This can worsen the condition and cause infections.

Caution: Home treatments may only provide temporary relief and can’t address deep or painful verrucae. Professional care ensures a thorough solution.

10 Reasons Professional Care Is Better

  1. Advanced Tools: Techniques like Swift therapy and cryotherapy.
  2. Accurate Diagnosis: Distinguishing verrucae from similar conditions.
  3. Faster Results: Professional treatments work more quickly than DIY methods.
  4. Effective Pain Relief: Minimised discomfort during and after treatment.
  5. Preventing Recurrence: Long-term solutions tailored to your needs.
  6. No DIY Risks: Avoids irritation or improper removal methods.
  7. Tailored Care: Every patient receives a personalised treatment plan.
  8. Comprehensive Options: Multiple treatments ensure the best outcome.
  9. Reduced Infection Risk: Sterile and safe procedures.
  10. Expert Follow-Up: Ensures complete recovery and ongoing prevention advice.

Say goodbye to foot pain

Why Wait? Get Expert Care Today!

Don’t let fungal nails or athlete’s foot hold you back. Bucks Foot Clinic offers expert diagnosis and treatment to restore your foot health.
Contact us now to book an appointment at one of our South Bucks locations!

Book your appointment today and step into a pain-free future!

FAQ

What is an ingrown verruca?

A verruca that grows inward due to pressure, causing pain and discomfort.

How do I prevent ingrown verrucae?

Wear protective footwear, maintain foot hygiene, and avoid sharing personal items.

Can I treat an ingrown verruca at home?

Home remedies may provide temporary relief, but professional care is more effective.

What happens if I pick a verruca?

Picking can spread the virus and worsen the condition.

What is Swift therapy?

A microwave-based treatment that stimulates your immune response to eliminate verrucae.

How effective is cryotherapy?

It’s a quick and effective method that freezes the verruca to destroy the virus.

Why choose Bucks Foot Clinic?

Our podiatrists provide advanced, tailored care for effective, long-lasting results.

How long does verruca treatment take?

Treatment duration varies depending on the size and depth of the verruca.

Is Swift treatment permanent?

Treatment duration varies depending on the size and depth of the verruca.

Can verrucae come back after treatment?

Professional care significantly reduces the chance of recurrence.

What should I do if a verruca becomes painful?

Seek immediate professional care to prevent worsening.

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