What is a verruca?
Foot warts (verrucae) are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) of which there are more than 150 different types. However there are generally only 4 main types that affect the feet and each one differs in size, pain, and appearance.
They are non-cancerous and can occur on either weightbearing (where they are often “pushed” into the skin) or non-weightbearing (where they often protrude out from the skin) parts of the foot. Despite popular belief, they do not have “roots” nor do they necessarily have “black dots” which are just dried spots of blood that can appear in verruca tissue. Frequently they are associated with hardening of the skin which can be a cause of discomfort.
Public understanding of viruses has come a long way due to Covid-19, including the acceptance that there is no quick fix for viral infections and that different people experience different severity of symptoms and different treatment effectiveness. This is the same for verrucae and their treatments.
Verruca Treatment In Southam, Warwickshire
There is a wide variety of treatments available for verrucae, but nothing is 100% effective in all cases. At our clinic we take our time to understand our patient’s wants, needs, and expectations so that they have all the appropriate information required to make an informed decision about any treatment option. This includes for parents of any children who present with verrucae. Note that not all treatment options will be suitable for all patients, and that certain corns & skin cancers can look like verrucas and vica versa. So getting a professional diagnosis and suitable treatment plan from all of the options below is very important:
*Tincture of time
*Occlusive taping
Weak acids typically sold over the counter
*Stronger acids
*Verrutop
Imiquimod
*Cryospray
Liquid nitrogen
*Falknor’s needling
*Laser therapy
Electrosurgery / Hyfrecation
Surgical excision
*The starred options are the ones that we currently have available for patients. Very few (if any) are available on the NHS.
How do we contract and prevent verrucas?
It used to be thought that moisture played an important role in the spread of verrucae eg at swimming pools. However we now know that infection occurs when there has been microtrauma to the skin barrier that allows entry of the human papillomavirus (HPV) either from direct contact with viral particles (from another verruca) or indirectly from surfaces such as footwear, flooring, towels etc.
The HPV can survive several months or even years on such surfaces, and there can be an incubation period of 1-20 months before the virus becomes established in skin cells. As such it makes it quite difficult to prevent the spread of verrucae as microtrauma of our skin occurs all the time, especially when we are barefoot.
Whilst there is no real evidence that good foot hygiene can help prevent the spread of verrucae, it makes sense to keep our feet in as good condition as possible through regular washing and drying (including between the toes). Wearing footwear appropriate to the demands placed on our feet is also good advice.
So if you have a verruca that you would like advice on a possible treatment, make an appointment with a clinic that offers a range of treatment options and has high levels of success.
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I have received first class treatment and my foot is feeling less painful especially after the
laser treatment I had on it. 
Mary Richardson
I had an issue with an ingrown toenail, which was very painful. Jonathan was a star in performing the nail surgery. My foot is now on the road to recovery and I couldn’t be any happier. Highly recommend coming here with any foot problems!
Angelika Price
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I was recommended to go and see Jonathan from an excellent local pilates instructor who I trust implicitly, so I knew that the recommendation didn't come lightly. I was not disappointed. Jonathan has been attentive, professional, knowledgeable and provided a very considered solution to my plantar fasciitis. His team are always friendly and helpful - even when I got stuck in traffic and missed my appointment! Highly recommend!
Clare Price
Excellent service. The clinic was efficient enough that Jonathan was able to undertake toe surgery on the same day of my first appointment (just minutes after the problem was diagnosed!). The staff were very friendly and informative, and kept me very much at ease during the entire process. I was very appreciative and will be returning if I have any similar problems in the future. Highly recommended!
Joe Miller
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Excellent service. I am so pleased with the help, advice and treatment recieved. Many thanks
Jackie Dewdney
if you have any worries about your feet then this is the place to go. First class service.i was given Jonathan's details after a foot opperation went wrong he has really helped me and made it now that I can get back to my normal life. thank you guys !!!
Carolyn Clayton
- Jonathan is an inspirational Podiatrist.
Having attended several courses that have been run by Jonathan and having been lucky enough to have heard him speak at multiple professional events, my knowledge has increased dramatically, as has my love for Podiatry.
A true gentleman and a fabulous educator.
Sarah Byrne
rapid appointment when I needed it and first class service. surgery went very well and recovery so far good with no pain. recommended without reservation.
Jenny Jenny Wootton
- Last night I attended a talk by Jonathan on diabetes. What an amazing resource of knowledge the local NHS has lost by no longer employing him. But thankfully we still have his private practice in Warwickshire and I will be referring all my diabetic patients to find out their level of risk. Thanks Jonathan for a very interesting evening you should do more talks to spread the word about diabetes to other FHPs.
Chris Nock
Excellent!!! Very professional service, great treatment and aftercare. Definitely recommend. Thanks for fitting me in at short notice too!!
Clare Everest
- They have been caring for my feet for 13 years. I have been very happy with the care I received and looked forwards to the walking on air feeling when treatment was completed. The only reason I will not be visiting them again is because I am shortly moving north to Yorkshire to be nearer my family. Thanks Jonathon for the years of excellent care!
Doreen Johnson
Mr Small and team provided a really excellent service for my elderly mother and kept her on her feet, mobile and active for the two years she lived near Southam, thank you very much!
Charlotte Gath
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Thank you to Jonathan for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with me. Five stars! Thanks a bunch!
Hannah Krepski
100% recommendation. I walked in with significant foot pain and walked out strapped up and reasonably pain free. The initial consultation was delivered with expert knowledge, professionalism and clearly explained diagnosis and treatment plan.
I had attended another foot clinic for a diagnosis but my instinct told me to walk away and consider their treatment proposal and seek another opinion. I felt disappointed that I had no immediate temporary solution to reduce constant foot pain..
I was then recommended to contact Jonathan and the rest is history. His manner and professionalism exceeds, not only am I working towards pain free walking I know I have the confidence in approaching a clear expert. Thank you Jonathan and your team. I have already recommended. Helen Keast
- Everything you can think of is available here!
Jane Vaughan
Jonathan Small has been treating me for a range of foot and gait problems for a number of
Years including plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuromas and joint hypermobility. As well as physical
Treatment he has supplied me with various orthotics which have really helped me keep
Mobile and reasonably fit. I am undergoing treatment at the moment and I fully expect that
Jonathan will be as successful as he has been in the past. All the staff at Health First are
Friendly and helpful. Pam Alexander
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I wouldn't trust anyone else with my foot-care. With severe circulation issues, my feet are comprised - Health First have treated me for 15 years and I highly recommend them.
Angela Navarro
Jonathan Small and his team have been excellent. A person centred, straight forward approach and really genuine team. I had been told by NHS and other podiatrists that the healing after ingrowing toe nail would take up to 12 weeks yet after the surgery at Health First Foot, it has completely healed in just over 3 weeks. Going privately was one of the best investments I've made. Thank you Health First ! Nikki Jackson
- After knee surgery I experienced ankle problems, a couple of visits to Jonathan has sorted the problem out. Thank you.
Judith Mary
I made an appointment with Jonathan at the Health First Clinic in Southam, as recommended by Vicki Cooper. It sounded like I had too many issues for Vicki to deal with. I turned up asking for help with removing verrucas that had been there for years and help with an ingrown toenail, that although had been removed and treated, had grown back. I was astounded at Jonathan’s knowledge, and it turns out I was given completely the wrong advice, and treatment, by two other Podiatrists🤬😞. He gave me all instructions and options I didn’t know about, on how to remove the Verrucas, and it turns out my ingrown toenail wasn’t ingrown at all and so was removed and treated for no reason🤦♀️. Note to self, DON’T trust just anyone, trust THE BEST. Thanks to Jonathan and his team at Health First, I now look very differently at my feet. 👍😊
Sonia Hargreaves