Verrucas can be painful and unsightly, and may be distressing for young children in particular. However, they’re common and not usually serious - and treatment is available if needed.
In this blog, we explore what causes verrucas so you can help to avoid your child catching one or spreading the condition to friends or family.
A verruca is a type of wart sometimes called a ‘plantar wart’, caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). It forms after the virus enters the skin, typically through a cut or scrape, and forms a small clump of hardened skin.
The virus itself thrives in warm, wet environments, such as the floor around swimming pools or in changing rooms. This also makes it easier to pick up the virus - because warm, wet skin softens and becomes more vulnerable to tiny injuries that can let the virus in.
There are two main ways a verruca can be spread: through direct contact, and indirect contact. Below, we explain how this works.
As the name suggests, this is where verrucas are spread from person to person through direct contact with the affected skin.
This is especially important for parents seeking at-home treatments to know, because those treatments usually involve the application of gels or sprays to the affected area of the foot. This means direct contact is unavoidable - so it’s vital to ensure you take precautions.
If possible, it can be helpful to wear disposable gloves when applying treatments. This also makes it easier to avoid getting the treatments on your hands, but it’s not always practical if you don’t already have gloves to hand.
The best thing to do is to wash your hands thoroughly after contact with a verruca - even if you wore gloves to do it. This helps to ensure the virus is washed away before it can get to work on you.
Outside of treatments, it’s also a good idea to cover your child’s verruca with a waterproof plaster if the location allows it. This helps to prevent the spread of the virus, as well as reducing the risk of further infection with other germs.
In contrast, indirect contact describes a situation where you pick up the virus after touching an item that has previously touched the verruca. This can include:
As a result, it’s best for children who have verrucas to wear footwear at all times - making sure you choose something appropriate for the location, of course. Slippers are ideal for inside, sandals or covered shoes can be worn outdoors, and flip-flops can be an excellent temporary choice for wet areas like bathrooms and swimming pools.
It’s also a good idea to clean bathtubs and shower cubicles thoroughly after someone with verrucas has used them. A child with a verruca should:
Although these measures may sound excessive, they all help to reduce the risk of other people developing a verruca themselves - and some of them are probably second nature to you already.
Unfortunately, children and young adults are the most likely age group to develop verrucas. In fact, it’s thought that as many as a third of all children will experience warts or verrucas at some point in their lives.
This is due to a combination of factors, including:
It’s also worth taking into account that children with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions can be more susceptible to verrucas - either because their immune system can’t fight off the virus or because they’re more likely to get cuts or scrapes on the feet.
The good news is that most children’s immune systems will fight off a verruca faster than an adult’s – meaning that children’s verrucas tend to go away within six months to a year, though it’s not necessarily a cause for concern if it takes longer.
In the meantime, simple measures can help to reduce the risk of the virus spreading, from avoiding sharing items to always wearing footwear like sandals to limit exposure. And if you have any worries about your child’s verruca or overall foot health, speak to a healthcare professional for advice.
Author: Click, published 29-05-2026.
