Definition: Verrucas and warts and basically the same thing: skin that has been invaded by a virus causing a round hard patch. When warts occur on the soles of the feet, the body's weight flattens them. These are verrucas. They are usually painless but can be painful in some cases. Warts and verrucas are infectious and you are at greatest risk in warm damp places like your bathroom or a sports changing room.

Treatment: If across-the-counter remedies do not solve the problem, we can apply caustics to remove the infected area or cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) to freeze it. A course of treatment is usually required. In more persistent cases we use electro-surgery under a local anaesthetic.