Warts and verruca are caused by a virus – they cause a lumpy growth. Verruca is the name we give to warts that are found on the bottoms of feet.
Warts and verrucas are very common and most people will have one at some point in their life. The virus that causes them is easily passed from person to person.
They will get better on their own – but it can take a long time - up to two years to disappear. If they are not uncomfortable, then you can just wait it out.
Treating Warts & Verrucas
Most warts and verrucas are small and don’t cause a problem. You may just have one, or they can come in a cluster. Sometimes they might be in a place that is irritating. Verrucas can be uncomfortable if they are on a weight bearing part of the foot.
There are treatments to get rid of warts and verrucas at home. See your pharmacist to find the best one for your child. They will also be able to check if it is a wart or verruca.
Follow treatment instructions carefully to get the best results. If the first treatment does not work speak to the pharmacist again. They might suggest other options or will advise if you need to see the GP.
You can reduce the chances of catching and of passing on warts and verrucas by washing your hands often. This is especially important after you have been touching or treating a wart or verruca.
You can also reduce the risks by;
You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays).
If your child is 11-24 years old, FYI Norfolk is an interactive NHS website just for them. It provides reliable and trustworthy advice and support on lots of health and wellbeing topics.
The Lullaby Trust - Baby Check App - This
app has simple checks that you can do if your baby is ill and helps you think about whether they need to see a doctor or health professional.
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