Verrucas usually develop on the soles of the feet. The affected area of skin will be white, often with a black dot (blood vessel) in the centre, underneath the hard skin. A verruca is flat rather than raised because of the pressure put on them. Sometimes a verruca can be mistaken for a corn or callus, but these do not have the giveaway black dots in the centre.
A verruca can be painful or tender if it is located on a weight-bearing part of the foot. This can make walking difficult or intolerable.
Sometimes a person may have tightly-packed clusters of small verrucas on the foot. These are known as ‘mosaic warts’ as the pattern resembles a mosaic. Mosaic warts are treated in exactly the same way as a singular verruca. Cryotherapy and excision are both excellent ways to tackle the problem of mosaic warts.
If you have a new growth anywhere on your skin and you are unsure what it is, please seek medical advice. You should also see a doctor if you are worried about a wart or verruca, for example if it is particularly painful, bleeding or growing rapidly. Some types of skin cancer can look similar to warts. If in doubt, get it checked out.