FEETure Friday - Verrucas

There are a number of human papilloma viruses, which causes different clinical features and infect different body sites (Bunney et al 1992). After the incubation period, the HPV virus leads to excessive cell production and uncontrolled replication, causing the development of unattractive, frequently painful, and highly contagious foot lesions (Verrucas).

Overview

• Verrucae and warts are fleshy fast growing benign skin growths.

• Verrucae are commonly found on the feet and warts on other parts of the body.

• Caused by the highly infectious human papilloma virus (HPV).

• To date over 200 subtypes identified.

• Virus thrives on moist, warm skin.

• Verrucae can spread from feet to other parts of the body.

• Contracted from other people in communal areas e.g. changing rooms and swimming pools etc.

• Verrucae generally are not harmful, just unpleasant and uncomfortable.

• There can be a genetic predisposition to ‘catching’ verrucae.

• Verrucae or warts can spontaneously resolve, but that take years to occur, meanwhile they have spread.

  
  

  

  
  

Verrutop Treatment

Verrutop is a recent verruca treatment that addresses one of the most difficult dermatological skin conditions to treat - verruca and warts. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's verruca treatment background, overall health, age, and the infection's characteristics. Verrutop is composed of a blend of nitric and organic acids, zinc, and copper salts. This mixture, when meticulously applied to a verruca, leads to the drying out of infected tissues. Nitric acid plays a key role in initiating cell death, while the metallic salts accelerate this apoptosis process.

According to clinical trials, 89% of patients achieved remission after a maximum of 6 applications. Remission was observed in over 50% of patients after only 3 applications. These findings indicate superior results compared to using liquid nitrogen in cryotherapy for stubborn verrucae on the sole of the foot. It is more beneficial to apply a nitric acid formulation to the infected area rather than nitrous oxide, as it is less painful and more appropriate for children and individuals with sensitive soles.