09/09/2022
Verrucae and warts
Verrucae are plantar warts, located on the sole or toes of the foot and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of keratinocytes, the most dominant cell type in the epidermis, which results in development of epidermal thickening and hyperkeratinisation. HPV infection is acquired from direct contact, which may be person-to-person or from the environment (e.g. showers and swimming pools; skin pe*******on increases if the skin is broken or wet). Around half of verrucae in children disappear on their own within a year, and two-thirds resolve within two years, but they can take many years to resolve in adults and thus this risk of cross infection would be greater if not treated.
• Dinulos JGH. Warts (verrucae vulgaris). Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/viral-skin-diseases/warts (accessed June 2022)
• Sterling JC. Virus infections. In: Burns T, Breathnach S, Cox N et al. (eds.) Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology. 8th ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. 2010;33.1–33.81
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Warts and verrucae. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Available at:http://cks.nice.org.uk/warts-and-verrucae #!topicsummary (accessed June 2022)
• Dinulos JGH. Warts (verrucae vulgaris). Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/viral-skin-diseases/warts (accessed June 2022)
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