Easy Removal of Verrucas on Feet (with Medical Proof It Works)!

If left untreated, verrucas (plantar warts) can last for up to ten years in adults. Children tend to recover faster, typically healing within two years. 80% of the population develop verrucas during their lifetime, but the fact remains that many people aren’t sure how to treat verrucas effectively.

Over-the-counter creams and gels for verrucas are the appropriate treatment. They’re easy to apply at home, affordable, and risk-free. Many are clinically proven remedies.

To remove verrucas at home, it’s vital to understand how verrucas are caused. We will cover everything you need to know about verrucas, so you can learn how to prevent verrucas in the future. We’ll also look at the best over-the-counter verruca treatment for fast and easy removal.

Many people fail to apply verruca treatments correctly, so they don’t always get the quick results they’re looking for. We will provide advice and tips on how best to apply verruca removal products so that you can get the most out of your chosen product.

How to Treat a Verruca

Treatment options vary widely, though they fall into three main categories – home treatments, over-the-counter treatments, and medical interventions.

We’ll briefly explore each of these options below:

• Verruca Home Treatments – Forums and magazines often advise you to apply a layer of duct tape, or lashings of nail varnish, to the affected area. No one knows why this might work; perhaps it’s because it becomes starved of oxygen.
• Over-the-Counter Treatments – These gels, creams, and ointments often contain the active ingredient salicylic acid. This has keratolytic properties, so it can soften and break down keratin in the skin. Applying salicylic acid directly to a verruca encourages it to flake off and disintegrate. More recently, herbal ingredients have been added to many over-the-counter verruca treatments
• Medical Interventions – If they are very stubborn, medical intervention may be required. Treatments include cryotherapy, laser therapy, and surgery, to name but a few.

There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that home treatments (taping and nail varnish) are effective. However, there is no reliable data to back up such claims.

On the other hand, there is substantial clinical evidence to suggest that over-the-counter treatments are effective at treating moderate verrucas, in a matter of weeks.

Although medical interventions (such as cryotherapy) offer the quickest results, over-the-counter treatments are accessible, affordable and carry few risks.

Top 5 Over the Counter Veruca Treatments

1. Bazuka Extra Strength Gel
2. Compound W (Max Strength) Wart Remover Pads
3. Wart Stick Max Strength
4. ‘H-Warts Formula’ from Healing Natural Oils
5. Plant Therapy’s Kid-Safe ‘No More Warts’

What is a Verruca?

A verruca in an overgrowth of skin, caused by a strain of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Once HPV enters the skin, the cells divide, and a surplus of particles is created.

The particles form a benign overgrowth on the surface of the skin.  Verrucas are found exclusively on the feet. They feel rough and protrude out of the skin, but have a flattened, crater-like appearance.

Are Warts and Verrucas the Same Thing?

It is a type of wart. Some people use the term ‘wart’ to refer to all types of warts, including those on the feet. The term ‘verruca’ offers a way of locating the wart so that we know it is on the foot.

All warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Warts can appear anywhere on the body and may differ in appearance depending on where they occur.

Some other categories of warts include:

• Plane Warts – Plane warts are very flat and yellow, and often appear in clusters on the face or neck. Plane warts are not usually bumpy and hardened. Medical intervention is sometimes required to treat plane warts effectively.
• Periungual Warts – These types of warts appear on the skin surrounding the fingernails and toenails. These warts can be harder to treat than verrucas, but some of the treatments mentioned later will be suitable.
• Genital Warts – These should always be treated by a doctor.
• Mosaic Warts – Mosaic warts tend to appear in faint clusters across the hands and feet. They can usually be treated with conventional, over-the-counter wart treatments.
• Warts on the Knuckles – Warts on the knuckles usually have the appearance of small cauliflower heads. They can be stubborn to treat but will often respond to over-the-counter wart treatment.

How to Identify Verrucas

The following symptoms are telltale signs:

• The overgrowth is (typically) on the ball of the foot
• The overgrowth is slightly yellow, brown or white in color
• Because of pressure placed on the ball of the foot, a verruca will often appear flattened and crater-like. On closer inspection, it may have the appearance of a small cauliflower head.
• There are lots of small black dots in the middle of the overgrowth
• It feels leathery and appears ‘thickened’
• The overgrowth is a few millimeters in diameter (but could be up to 1cm)
• The fine skin ‘lines’ on the sole of the foot does not continue across the area of overgrowth

Do I Have a Corn or a Verruca?

Corns and verrucas can be hard to distinguish. A corn is a hardened piece of skin that usually develops in response to poorly-fitting shoes. In contrast, verrucas are caused by a virus.

It’s common for corns to develop on the bunion bone at the side of the foot, but they may also develop on the ball of the foot. One way to tell the difference between a corn and a verruca is to consider the type of pain you’re experiencing.

Corns feel painful when you put pressure on them (i.e., if you put all your weight on the corn when standing) but pinching a corn should not cause any pain. Conversely, pinching a verruca causes intense pain.

Corns are treated by allowing the body to heal and correcting the mechanical issue that caused them in the first place. On the other hand, verruca treatments halt the spread of HPV and ‘break down’ the overgrowth of skin.

What Has Caused My Verrucas?

Almost everyone will develop one at some point in their lives. As we know, they are caused when we contract a strain of the Human Papilloma Virus. Our age, lifestyle choices, and overall health determine how likely we are to contract this virus.

The known risk factors include:

• Childhood – They often occur in children aged 4 – 12 years old. They become less prevalent as we get older because our immunity improves.
• Old Age – When we get much older, verrucas are slightly more prevalent because the immunity function starts to decrease. Not only that, self-care can become more challenging, so we become susceptible to many foot conditions.
• Using Communal Facilities – HPV seems to thrive in warm, moist conditions such as gym locker rooms and swimming pool showers. If you don’t protect your feet in these areas, you are more likely to contract the virus.
• A Weakened Immune System – A weakened immune system can occur in childhood and old age, but it can also be caused by chronic stress, or feeling ‘run down.’ Autoimmune conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Celiac disease can also make you more prone to this skin condition.
• Poor Foot Hygiene – Wearing the same socks daily, rarely changing shoes and not drying feet thoroughly after a shower can increase the likelihood of developing verrucas. Moreover, failing to take care of cuts and wounds can leave you susceptible to viruses.

Are Verrucas Dangerous?

When people hear ‘Human Papilloma Virus,’ they immediately associate it with cancer. The truth is that most of us will contract HPV during our lifetime and will not suffer any ill effects.

There are hundreds of strains of HPV – most are considered to be ‘low risk.’ The strains of HPV that cause verrucas are not harmful; they are not the same strains that cause cancer.

Warts on the face or genitals should be checked by a doctor because they may (very rarely) signal something else is going on. Similarly, if a wart (no matter its location) is very painful, persistent and resistant to treatment, it is time to see a doctor.

Are Verrucas Contagious?

The virus that causes verrucas is contagious. It is quite rare to contract the virus through direct skin-to-skin contact, though it can happen. You are most likely to pick up the virus indirectly from a moist communal environment, where the virus has had a chance to multiply.

Having cuts, wounds or blisters on your feet makes you more susceptible to catching the virus. Once the virus has been contracted, it could be weeks or months before you see the signs of a verruca.

Can Verrucas Spread to Other Parts of the Body?

People with verrucas can start to develop warts on other parts of their body. It may be that the body is overwhelmed with the virus and is unable to fight it off.

If warts are spreading, this suggests that the immune system is not operating efficiently. If there’s no medical reason for a weakened immune system, consider whether you are particularly stressed or run down.

Sometimes, picking at the verruca can cause the infection to spread. Periungual warts (warts around the fingernails) may develop as a result of continually picking at verrucas, so always resist the urge to pick.

Are Verrucas Related to Athletes Foot?

It is possible to have both of these conditions at once, but they are not the same thing. Athletes foot is caused by fungi, whereas verrucas are caused by a virus.

Fungi and HPV both proliferate in warm, moist environments and can enter the skin via cuts and grazes. Moreover, a weakened immune system can make you susceptible to both conditions. Supporting your immune function and practicing good foot hygiene will discourage both conditions.

Do Verrucas Go Away on Their Own?

Verrucas will often heal on their own, but it can take a long time for them to go away. They are most likely to resolve quickly in children. Most people prefer to try some form of conservative treatment to speed up the healing process.

According to Springer, verrucas are more likely to heal quickly if treatment is started early. Trying a reliable over-the-counter treatment will help to kick-start the recovery process.

How to Get Rid of a Verruca on the Foot

Targeted treatments work by dissolving or removing the overgrowth of skin. At the same time, targeted treatments should harness the virus and stop it from spreading.

The treatment is highly effective because they employ chemical or botanical agents to break down the hardened verruca skin. These agents also discourage the spread of HPV.

Some over-the-counter treatments aim to mimic cryotherapy by allowing people to ‘freeze’ their warts at home. These products contain dimethyl ether, propane, and isobutane, rather than liquid nitrogen. These treatments are not mentioned here as they are generally considered less effective than alternative over-the-counter options.

Here, we’ll discuss five highly effective treatments for verruca removal. Remember, when treating verrucas, it’s important to apply your chosen product with care and attention.

As we’ll explore, some treatments work more effectively if you take some extra therapeutic steps. Namely, it’s a good idea to soak and clean the skin before treatment and to use an abrasive device to encourage it to dissolve and detach from the skin.

1. Bazuka Extra Strength Gel

Bazuka gel has been around for a long time, but the ‘extra strength’ version has proved most popular with sufferers. Don’t be deceived by its small packaging.

Bazuka extra strength gel is a highly effective treatment option for the whole family. This gel is clinically proven to treat warts and verrucas.

How Does It Work?

Bazuka Extra Strength contains 26.0% salicylic acid – double the amount found in standard Bazuka gel. The formula works in two ways. The ketolytic qualities of salicylic acid get to work by softening the verruca, encouraging it to break down and fall off.

An emery board is included to help facilitate this process. Also, the gel forms a protective barrier, which prevents the virus from spreading.

What’s the Evidence?

A review published by Nottingham University found that, although salicylic acid takes a bit longer to treat verrucas than cryotherapy, it is just as effective at removing verrucas permanently.

Using a salicylic acid treatment such as Bazuka Extra Strength Gel is also a more affordable and accessible treatment. There are very few side effects associated with this treatment, so it is an excellent option for most people.

Is Bazuka Extra Strength Gel Suitable for Me?

If you have verrucas on the feet (plantar warts) or you have periungual warts (warts around the toenails) this treatment should be suitable for you. It should not be used on the face or genitals, or very dry or cracked skin.

This treatment is suitable for the whole family – children, adults and the elderly. Children under 12 years of age should always be treated by an adult.

Bazuka Gel is not suitable for people who have diabetes or very poor circulation. As with any treatment, check the information leaflet for detailed instructions before use.

How to Use Bazuka Extra Strength Gel

The gel is clear and colorless and should be applied to the verruca daily. Applying the gel is very easy.

For the best results, you’ll need to do the following:

• Soak the foot in warm water for a couple of minutes
• Dry the foot thoroughly using your towel
• Place the application nozzle near to the verruca and apply a few drops (avoid applying it to any of the surrounding skin)
• Allow the gel to dry for a few minutes until it goes tacky
• Wash your hands thoroughly
• The next day, peel off the gel that has formed and then you should repeat the process
• Once a week, before applying fresh gel, rub it very gently with the emery board to help slough away the excess skin

How Long Does It Take to Work?

According to the manufacturers, this can vary according to how severe your verrucas are. Most people will see positive results in a couple of weeks. Consistent application is critical here, so don’t give up too soon if you do not see results.

Bazuka Extra Strength Gel is a clinically proven treatment for verrucas. Most users will be verruca-free in less than 12 weeks.

Check the Price of Bazuka Extra Strength Gel on Amazon.com!

2. Compound W (Max Strength) Wart Remover Pads

These bestselling pads are manufactured by a pharmacist recommended brand, so quality is guaranteed. Each packet contains 14 extra-strength, ‘one step’ pads to apply directly to the area.

How Do the Pads Work?

The active ingredient in these pads is salicylic acid, so they help to soften and break down verrucas. The pads contain 40% salicylic acid, so they’re considered highly effective for wart removal.

These pads can also help to reduce the friction pain caused by shoes rubbing against your verrucas.  As such, they’ll help you return to your normal daily activities, and prevent you from absent-mindedly picking at the verrucas.

What’s the Evidence?

As mentioned, salicylic acid is considered to be one of the best treatments for verrucas. Anecdotal evidence suggests that covering a verruca with tape may speed its recovery, perhaps because it stops oxygen from entering the area. These pads combine the potential benefits of taping with the known benefits of salicylic acid.

Are Compound’s Wart Remover Pads Suitable for Me?

Wart removal pads are suitable for most adults trying to remove verrucas from their feet. However, they should never be used by people living with diabetes.

If you’re suffering from a lot of pain when walking, pads might be a particularly good option for you. Also, some people find pads are easier and ‘cleaner’ to apply than gels or creams.

If you have periungual warts, a gel product is likely to be more suitable than a wart removal pad. Similarly, if you have a large number of verruca on your feet, a gel product might be a better choice.

How to Use Wart Removal Pads

Compound wart pads are very easy to use. It’s possible to use wart pads on their own or to combine them with a gel such as Bazuka gel.

• Soak the feet for around 5 minutes in warm water
• Dry the feet thoroughly with your towel
• Apply the medicated pad to the verruca and wash hands thoroughly
• Repeat this process every 48 hours.

How Long Do They Take to Work?

Results should happen quite quickly, but it can take up to 12 weeks for it to completely disappear. After a couple of applications, the verruca will start to go white.

This is a good sign, as it means it’s beginning to break down. You could speed up the treatment process by gently filing the verruca with an emery board once or twice a week.

Check the Price of Compound W (Max Strength) Wart Remover Pads on Amazon!

3. Wart Stick Max Strength

Out of all the products on the market, this wart stick offers one of the easiest and most cost-effective applications. You apply a thin layer of the formula to a bandage and then secure the bandage to the verruca. It is a dry and odorless application, so there is no mess and no fuss.

How Does the Stick Work?

This wart stick is another high-strength salicylic acid treatment. The treatment will penetrate and weaken the verruca and stop the virus from spreading. The stick also contains castor oil to help nourish the skin and limit aggravation.

What’s the Evidence?

Customers value this product because it is easy to use. If something is easy to use, we’re more likely to commit to it on a long-term basis. This could explain why many people see positive results with this product.

Is the Wart Stick Suitable for Me?

If you have multiple verrucas or they are in awkward places this product is suitable because you can combine it with custom bandages suited to your needs.

Given the high concentration of salicylic acid, it’s best not to use this product on children’s’ skin. A more suitable treatment would be the 26% Bazuka gel, or the product mentioned at number 5 on this list.

How to Use the Wart Stick

• Clean the infected area and towel dry thoroughly
• Dab the wart stick on a bandage suitable for the size, shape, and location of your verruca
• (It’s best to apply the treatment to the bandage rather than to the verruca directly, to control the spread of infection)
• Place the plaster and wash your hands
• Repeat every 48 hours

How Long Until I See Results?

As we know, salicylic acid treatment can take quite a few weeks to work, but it’s usually very effective. Nonetheless, because the stick is so quick and easy to use, you’re likely to see results long before the proposed 12-week maximum.

Check the Price of Wart Stick Max Strength on Amazon!

4. ‘H-Warts Formula’ from Healing Natural Oils

If you’re looking for a natural verruca treatment, this could be a great alternative. This wart removing product from Healing Natural Oils contains the active natural ingredients Phytolacca Decandra and Thuja Occidentalis.

It also includes a blend of essential oils to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. It is an excellent choice for those unwilling or unable to tolerate acids and synthetic ingredients.

How Does the H-Warts Formula Work?

The active ingredient Thuja Occidentalis penetrates the verruca and helps to break it down. Essential oils are valued for their anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and soothing qualities.

They are also thought to support immune system function. The essential oils in this product may help improve the discomfort associated with verrucas, stop the infection from spreading and prevent verrucas from recurring.

What Is the Evidence?

Many small studies, such as this one on NCBI, have concluded that Thuja Occidentalis (an extract of the white cedar tree) is an effective treatment for warts and verrucas.

As of yet, there have been no large-scale clinical trials testing the active ingredients. Many customers have found this product to be very effective.

Is This Product Suitable for Me?

One of the best things about using 100% natural products is that they are suitable for almost anyone. Some chemical-based products cause a tingling sensation on application, which is not felt with this product. Essential oils and botanicals are, for the most part, considered to be risk-free. So, if you’re looking for a more natural product, this product may be an excellent fit for you.

This product may be a particularly useful treatment for periungual warts (warts around the fingernails and toenails) because it can be applied directly to these areas without fear of aggravation.

How Should I Apply H-Warts Formula?

• Clean the area with warm water and dry thoroughly
• Apply two or three drops of the oil, using the bottle or a Q-tip
• Repeat this process two or three times per day

When Will I See Results?

If you follow the application guidelines correctly, you should start to see results within two weeks. It may take 4 – 6 weeks to see significant results. You’ll know it’s started to work once the verrucas have started to turn white and reduce in size.

Eventually, they should flake off completely. Essential oils are valued for their therapeutic, immune-boosting benefits so you may notice some other positive ‘side effects’ too.

Check the Price of ‘H-Warts Formula’ from Healing Natural Oils on Amazon!

5. Plant Therapy’s Kid-Safe ‘No More Warts’

Verrucas in children are more likely to heal spontaneously, but sometimes they need a helping hand. Many of the salicylic acid treatments may not be suitable for children. Essential oil formulations for adults may also be too potent for some kids’ delicate skin.

Plant Therapy’s ‘No More Warts’ treatment is a diluted essential oil treatment that helps dissolve verrucas.  The product comes in a handy roll-on applicator, so there are no spills and no waste.

How Does ‘No More Warts’ Work?

This product contains child-friendly essential oils such as lemon, tea tree, and cypress. This product has a coconut oil base to provide the skin with extra nourishment.

Lemon, tea tree and cypress oil have anti-microbial properties. It’s thought these oils will help fight against the HPV infection and also stop it spreading. As a result, the verruca will start to break down.

What’s the Evidence?

Many reviews, including this one published on Allied Academies, have suggested that ‘antiviral’ essential oils such as tea tree oil are useful for treating plantar warts.

According to a study published on NCBI, botanical blends are effective for the treatment of verrucas, and they pose far fewer side effects than more conventional treatments.

Is ‘No More Warts’ a Suitable Treatment for My Child?

This diluted essential oil treatment is specially formulated for children aged 2 – 10 years old and is one of the few verruca products on the market that is entirely safe for kids.

There’s no reason why adults and the elderly can’t use this treatment too. ‘No more warts’ is suitable for the treatment of warts on the feet, hands, and face, so it is a versatile product. it would be an excellent addition to any bathroom cabinet.

How Should I Apply This Product?

• Clean the infected area of the skin
• Use the roller applicator to dispense some of the liquid
• The treatment will dry within a minute or two
• Wash hands, and repeat this process daily

When Will I See Results?

According to Plant Therapy, your child’s verruca should start to clear within 4 to 6 weeks. It’s important to use this oil consistently to get the best results.

Because this product is entirely natural, you’re not left worrying that prolonged use could be causing extra damage. Essential oils are thought to support overall health and immunity.

Check the Price of Plant Therapy’s Kid-Safe ‘No More Warts’ on Amazon!

How to Get Rid of a Verruca on a Child

In childhood, verrucas may heal spontaneously. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If you choose to treat your child’s verruca with an over-the-counter product, there are a few extra things to consider.

• Be Gentle – When rubbing the verruca skin with an emery board or pumice stone -be gentle. If the child is old enough, you could ask them to perform this task while you supervise, as they’ll be best placed to control the pressure.
• Manage Hygiene – It’s not possible to keep an eye on your child all the time. However, try to ensure they understand the importance of drying their feet thoroughly after getting wet.
• Promote Immune Function – Ensure your child gets a healthy, balanced diet to promote immune function.
• Discourage Picking – This is particularly important when treating children! Put a plaster or bandage over it (replace regularly), so your child does not feel tempted to pick the verruca and spread the infection.

How to Remove a Verruca Root

Because verrucas linger for a long time, we get the sense they’ve ‘taken root.’ The notion of a verruca ‘taking root’ is widely misunderstood. If a verruca is lingering for a long time, it’s because the body has not been able to fight the HPV infection effectively.

It grows in the skins top layer – the epidermis. Contrary to popular belief, verrucas don’t become deeply ‘rooted’ in the dermis, or deeper levels of the skin. Some people think that the black dots on verrucae are seeds or roots. These are the ends of blood vessels.

As a result, some people are tempted to ‘dig’ away at it with a sharp implement so they can remove it in its entirety. You should never try to cut or dig away at your verruca to ‘get to the root.’ This will cause the foot to bleed and will probably lead to even more infection.

Instead of ‘digging’ at the verruca, you should use a pumice stone or emery board in conjunction with one of the treatments above. The focus should be on filing and buffing the verruca, rather than digging it at it.

It’s best to do this once a week, or once every 3-4 days, to avoid damaging the skin. If you persist with your chosen treatment for up to 12 weeks, you’ll be able to dissolve and remove the verruca in its entirety.

What Does a Verruca Look Like When It Comes Out?

If you’re treating the verruca with a salicylic acid-based treatment, this will break down the verruca gradually. You’ll probably find white flakes of skin in your socks, and these flakes will increase if you use an emery board to file the verruca. Eventually, you should be left with nothing more than a small white dot on the skin, which should heal completely.

Rather than flaking off in sections, it may slough off in its entirety. If this happens, dispose of the excess skin immediately and wash your hands thoroughly.

When this occurs, the foot might weep or bleed slightly. This is quite common and can usually be managed by keeping the foot clean and applying a bandage. Over the following days, the skin will heal.

Wart Keeps Coming Back After Removal

Although you might have dissolved your verruca, the Human Papilloma Virus may still be present on the skin. This can cause verrucas and warts to arise in the same place, or elsewhere on the body. There could be many reasons why your warts keep coming back.

• You haven’t completed your treatment – many treatments can take up to 12 weeks to complete, so ensure you’ve persisted for at least this long.
• You’re not washing your hands after treatments – if you don’t wash your hands after treatment, you’ll encourage warts to spread to other parts of the body.
• You are not managing stress effectively – high levels of stress can negatively impact the adrenal system and impair immune function. An impaired immune system is less able to fight off viruses, so they’ll keep returning with a vengeance.
• You do not protect your feet in damp, communal environments – They may quickly return if you don’t take the proper precautions to protect your feet.
• You’ve itched, picked or scratched the verruca – and the virus has spread to another part of the foot or the body.
• You’re not taking care of your feet – if you have open wounds, blisters or macerated skin on your feet, HPV will remain for longer.

Medical Treatments for Verrucas

If verrucas are persistent, large or painful, medical intervention may be warranted. If you do seek medical attention, you may be offered one of the following treatment options:

• Medical Grade Keratolytic Creams – these include higher concentrations of salicylic acid or other acids. They are usually not suitable for young children or eczema sufferers.
• Virucide Creams – these are prescription creams that aim to destroy the virus. The cream is usually applied daily, for 3 – 6 weeks.
• Topical Retinoids – retinoids can stop cell division, so it will prevent overgrowths in the skin. Results are usually seen in a couple of months.
• Cryotherapy – this involves freezing the verruca with liquid nitrogen so that it drops off.
• Laser Treatments – if there are many verrucas, several sessions are usually required. Initial trials seem to suggest that laser helps to treat verrucas once-and-for-all, as they rarely return after three sessions of treatment.
• Surgery – the surgeon will scrape away the verruca using specialist equipment. This is usually a last resort.

Overall, there is good evidence to support the efficacy of cryotherapy and laser treatment, though these treatments are not suitable for everyone. These treatments are also costly, so are typically only recommended if over-the-counter treatments have failed.

Can I Swim with a Verruca?

Some people are reluctant to go swimming when they’ve got athletes foot, fungal toenails or verrucas. As long as you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others, there’s no reason why you can’t go swimming. Be sure to cover it with a waterproof plaster. Also, wear flip-flops at the poolside and in the showers to protect your feet.

It is important not to let it limit your daily activities. Though they can be unsightly and annoying, verrucas are highly treatable. The sooner you start treatment, the more likely you are to see positive results. Once you’ve decided on your treatment, be sure to follow the application tips mentioned in this article. Apply your chosen treatment militantly to ensure you eradicate the virus once and for all.