Think your child might have a verruca? Knowing what they look like and how they feel on the foot can help you to make informed decisions about your child’s health - for example, getting them the right care and attention a verruca deserves.
Below, we explore what a verruca is, what the symptoms are and how they’re spread. Keep reading to learn more.
A verruca is a very contagious type of wart called a ‘plantar wart’, which is triggered by a human papillomavirus infection, otherwise known as an HPV infection. If this sounds scary, don’t worry - verrucas are usually harmless, if a little painful.
The virus is often passed from person to person when flooring becomes contaminated and is walked on with bare feet, hence why verrucas most often occur on the feet. However, a verruca can also spread to hands and fingers, so good hygiene is always recommended before and after touching bare feet.
Verrucas are most common with school-aged children, particularly from the ages of 12 to 16, so it’s quite likely that your child will have a verruca at some point while growing up. You probably had one yourself when you were a child.
As a type of wart, verrucas typically form as a rough lump of skin with a raised border and a softer centre. Sometimes a verruca will have black spots within it, which are tiny blood vessels that have bled and clotted. These spots are often mistaken as the root of the verruca, but that is not the case.
Verrucas can range in size dramatically, from very small examples at 1mm diameter to much larger ones of over 1cm in diameter. They can also cluster to create an even larger affected area.
Generally speaking, verrucas are painless until you put pressure on them. Since they’re usually on the weight-bearing parts of the sole of the foot, they can cause some discomfort - especially when walking or standing for long periods.
If your little one is in pain from a verruca, you can speak to a pharmacist or GP about potential treatments. These can take time to work, may be uncomfortable and don’t always fully solve the problem, but can also help to speed up the healing process. You may be tempted to try home remedies you’ve heard about, such as putting duct tape over the verruca. There’s no evidence that this helps to speed up the healing process, and it poses a risk of exposing the area to other germs and causing infection - so it’s best to avoid anything that isn’t recommended by medical professionals.
Alternatively, you may choose to leave the verruca to heal in its own time - which may be a preferable solution if your child isn’t in pain or uncomfortable. This can take time, too, and there are things you should do in the meantime to help reduce the risk of further contamination or spreading verrucas to other people.
The virus that causes verrucas is highly contagious, which makes it very important to take precautions both in public and at home to help prevent the spread.
This is why it’s important to wear something on your feet in changing rooms and around swimming pools, where warm, wet conditions are excellent for the virus. Good options for your child’s developing feet include sandals and canvas shoes, particularly for outdoor locations like beaches, sandpits and seafronts.
If your child or someone else in the household develops a verruca, then everyone in the family should be extra careful to avoid contact that may spread the virus. This includes not sharing the following:
You should seek medical advice from your GP if the verruca is bleeding, has spread onto the face or if your child’s immune system is known to be weak, as these factors could affect how long it takes to heal.
Verrucas might sound strange, but in reality they’re a common part of childhood. By understanding how they spread and how to spot them when they develop, you can help to protect your child’s feet and seek medical advice when it’s needed.
Author: Vista, published 05-03-2026.
