Skin OTC - Warts + Verrucas

Question 1

What are the main features of warts and verrucas?

Answer 1

Wart: Irregular raised surface, single or in groups.
Verruca: Flattened, hard pads of skin, growing inwards, can be painful when pressure applied.
Have block dots in the core, more prevalent in children than older people.

Question 2

What are the symptoms of wart?

Answer 2

Irregular raised surface
Single or groups

Question 3

What are the symptoms of verruca?

Answer 3

Flattened, hard pads of skin
Growing inwards
Can be painful when pressure applied
Have block dots in the core

Question 4

What are the treatment options for warts and verrucas?

Answer 4

Salicylic acid:
- On its own (compound W, Bazuka Extra Strength, Verugon.
- With lactic acid (Bazuka, Cuplex, Salactol, Salactac) Not for pregnancy/breastfeeding.

Formaldehyde (Veracur)
Silver Nitrate (Avoca)
Dimethyl ether/propane (Wartner

Question 5

What are the alarm symptoms of warts and verrucas?

Answer 5

Wart not on hands/feet
Tx failure - check compliance first
Diabetes/PVD
If wart has changed colour/appearance
Eczema adjacent to wart

Question 6

What is the application technique for warts/verruca tx?

Answer 6

Soak in hot water for several mins.
Abrade dead skin with pumice or emery board.
Apply only to wart/verruca (protect surrounding area)
Continue treatment till skin normal
Can take up to 12 weeks.
Tx can be painful and cause inflammation