foot Health guide
Understanding and managing foot conditions is essential for comfort and mobility. Below are some common foot problems, their causes, symptoms, and simple ways you can care for your feet.
Need professional advice? Our experienced team is here to help with diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing foot care. Book an appointment today to keep your feet healthy and pain-free.
What is a Verruca? Patient Information Video
Video References:
Video and illustrations created using:
VIDEOSCRIBE., 2025. Animated Videos Made Easy. [Online]. [Accessed 23 April 2025]. Available from: https://www.videoscribe.co/
ISTOCK BY GETTY IMAGES., 2025. STOCK IMAGES ROYALTY FREE . [Online]. [Accessed 23 April 2025]. Available from: www.istockphoto.com
Photograph image of verruca on the plantar of the foot: DOMINICK. S., 2010. Planters warts on the bottom of a child's foot. [Online]. [Accessed 23 April 2025]. Available from: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/planters-warts-gm182872762-13833069
Photograph image of female in tunic: Authors own
Click to download a Verruca Information Leaflet
What is a Verruca?
A verruca is a harmless skin lesion caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It commonly appears on the soles of the feet and can be painful when pressure builds up over the lesion.
How Do You Get a Verruca?
HPV enters the skin through tiny breaks or when the skin is overly moist. It’s often picked up in communal areas like pools or gyms.
What Does a Verruca Look Like?
It may appear as a rough, raised area on the skin with tiny black dots. On the feet, verrucae are often flattened due to pressure.
Why Can They Be Painful?
The thickened skin over the lesion creates pressure, especially when standing or walking, leading to discomfort.
Do They Go Away on Their Own?
Yes, especially in children, verrucae often clear up within months as the body’s immune system responds. However, on the feet, they may persist longer and resist treatment.
Verruca Treatment Options
While verrucae often clear on their own, treatment may help if the lesion is painful or persistent:
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Scalpel Debridement – Reduces thick skin over the verruca for comfort.
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Occlusion (Zinc Tape) – Keeps the lesion moist to ease discomfort and possibly stimulate the immune system.
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Acid Treatments (e.g., Salicylic Acid) – Breaks down skin tissue but may not suit everyone.
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Cryotherapy (Freezing) – Freezes the lesion to trigger an immune response; can be painful.
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Microwave Therapy – Uses heat to destroy infected tissue and encourage immune activation.
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Needling – Under local anaesthetic, punctures the lesion to prompt immune system response.
Should You Treat Your Child’s Verruca?
Often, no treatment is needed unless it causes discomfort. Verrucae are common in children, and tend to resolve naturally regardless of treatment.
When to See a Podiatrist
If your verruca is painful, persistent, or affecting your daily activities, our team can help guide you to the most suitable treatment for you.
Book a consultation today to get tailored advice for your foot care.
• What it is: Splitting of dry, hardened skin around the heel.
• Signs: Dryness, deep fissures that can be painful.
• Home care: Daily moisturising, gentle exfoliation, avoid barefoot walking on hard floors.
• When to see us: To help prevent cracks or if cracks become deep, painful, or bleed.
• Causes: Ageing, trauma, or fungal infection.
• Signs: Discoloured, lumpy, or crumbly nails that lift off the nail bed.
• Home care: Keep nails trimmed, use antifungal treatments if needed.
• Clinic care: We safely trim or thin nails and recommend treatments.
• What they are: Thickened, hardened areas of skin due to pressure or rubbing.
• Signs: Calluses form on the soles; corns have a central core and can be painful.
• Home care: Use cushioned insoles, gentle exfoliation, moisturise daily.
• When to see us: If self-care doesn’t help, or corns are painful.
• What it is: Fluid-filled bubbles caused by friction or pressure.
• Signs: Painful or tender bumps on the skin.
• Home care: Protect with a sterile plaster, reduce friction, keep the area clean. Most foot blisters last between three and seven days and will normally clear up if further excessive friction is avoided.
• When to see us: If a blister is large, painful, shows signs of infection (redness, pus).
• What it is: A bony bump at the base of the big toe, often inherited.
• Signs: Visible bump, toe leaning inward, sore or swollen skin.
• Home care: Wear wider shoes, use padding, avoid high heels.
• When to see us: If walking is painful or the bunion interferes with daily activities.
• What it is: A fungal infection often seen between the toes.
• Signs: Itching, redness, peeling skin, and sometimes a burning sensation.
• Home care: Keep feet dry, change socks daily, use antifungal sprays or powders.
• When to see us: Infection for more than two weeks or spread.
Common causes are:
Plantar Fasciitis (Inflammation of the tissue connecting heel to toes), or achilles tendon issues (Pain or stiffness in the back of the heel).
- Signs: Pain, aching or stiffness.
- Home care: Rest, gentle stretching, ice, supportive shoes.
- When to see us: Persistent pain or pain which is limiting activity.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Autoimmune joint inflammation causing swelling and deformities.
- Osteoarthritis: Wear-and-tear joint breakdown leading to stiffness.
- Gout: Sudden intense pain and swelling, usually in the big toe.
- Metatarsalgia: Pain under the ball of the foot.
- Care tips: Use supportive footwear, custom insoles, and gentle exercises.
- When to see us: For persistent pain, swelling, or movement difficulties.
• Risks: Reduced sensation and poor circulation can lead to ulcers or infections.
• Signs: Redness, swelling, non-healing sores.
• Home care: Inspect feet daily, keep skin moisturised (not between toes), wear diabetic-friendly socks and shoes.
• When to see us: For routine preventative care and for any new sores, redness, or change in sensation.
Webpage Photo Images of Foot Conditions: Author’s own