What's the difference between a wart and a verruca?

It is estimated that about 10% of the population suffer from warts. Warts are caused by the virus known as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which enters the skin through a cut or abrasion.

The virus is easily spread through physical contact, with most cross-infection taking place on the sole of the foot in places such as swimming pools, changing rooms and school gymnasia. It is partly for this reason that children are most commonly affected by warts on the sole of the foot.

'Verruca' is the Latin name for 'wart'. Although it is strictly correct to call any wart a 'verruca', over the years the term 'verruca' has come to mean only a plantar wart, (a wart on the sole of the foot) and we shall use the word 'verruca' here to describe these particular warts.

The life cycle of a verruca

It may take between one and eight months for a verruca to make an appearance after viral infection. Verrucas can be extremely resistant to the body's natural defences, and are quite capable of surviving in most conditions.

They may appear either singly or in clusters, and in many cases, if left untreated, can persist for a very long time indeed - one in three may remain for longer than two years. Warts on sites other than the foot may be left to disappear of their own accord, but because verrucas tend to occur on pressure points on the foot (i.e. the ball or the heel), they can cause much discomfort and sufferers are motivated to treat them promptly.

How do corns and calluses occur?

Corns and calluses on the feet may be mistaken for verrucas, but are caused by pressure or friction rather than by a virus, and are therefore not contagious.

The most common cause of corns and calluses are poorly-fitting shoes. Once again, young children are the most vulnerable due to the rapid growth of their feet.

How can I prevent verrucas from spreading?

The verruca virus is easily spread through contact, so sufferers should use only their own towel, flannel or bath sponge where possible.

Regular inspection of the feet will help you treat verrucas in the early stages of their development, keeping discomfort to a minimum.

Unusual cure for a common complaint

Because warts are so common and difficult to treat, it's not surprising that many strange cures have been suggested to unfortunate sufferers over the years. One of the strangest was a medieval custom which required sufferers to rub their warts with stones, which were then wrapped up and left at a crossroad on the way to church. When an inquisitive person picked up the stones, the patient was supposed to become healed. But there was one major catch - that person would then contract the warts themselves!

Bizarre though such folklore remedies were, they were probably derived from the infective nature of the condition, which was recognised though not yet fully understood.

What clinically proven treatments are available?

Fortunately, today's doctors, chiropodists and pharmacists are able to offer a number of proven alternatives to the erstwhile remedies.

Clinically proven Bazuka Gel and Bazuka Extra Strength Gel offer a simple, once-daily treatment without the need for plasters. Bazuka Gel contains active ingredients to treat the wart and destroy the associated virus, whilst forming a protective water-resistant barrier over the affected area to help inhibit the spread of infection.

Bazuka Extra Strength Gel offers the same benefits as regular Bazuka Gel, but in a high strength formulation. In the more severe cases of warts and verrucas, doctors may suggest one of a number of treatment options, such as freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide (cryotherapy) or removing it surgically by curettage.

As a first-line treatment however, Bazuka Gel and Bazuka Extra Strength Gel are available from UK pharmacists without prescription for the treatment of verrucas, warts, corns and calluses.

Both Bazuka formulations come in a tube with an integral applicator nozzle for precise location of the gel, and each pack also contains an emery board together with detailed patient instructions which must be read and understood before use.

When not to start treatment

It is important to identify a verruca, wart, corn or callus correctly before treating yourself (or your child). Warts often occur on the fingers or on the back of the hand; the surface of the common wart has a rough 'cauliflower-like' appearance, whereas that of a plane wart is flat and smooth.

Verrucas on the sole of the foot feel tender and are distinguished from corns and calluses by the interruption of the footprint pattern. The latter are hard, thick pads of skin which usually occur on the hands or feet.

Previous sufferers may find it relatively easy to recognise a wart, corn or callus. However, if there is any doubt about the diagnosis, medical advice should be sought before commencing treatment.

In any case, Bazuka Gel or Bazuka Extra Strength Gel must not be used anywhere on the face, bottom or genital (sex) regions; nor should they be used on birth marks, moles, warts with hair growing from them, or on any other spots or broken skin. These products should not be used by diabetics, nor by anyone suffering from poor blood circulation to the hands or feet, or by anyone sensitive to any of the ingredients.