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Best verruca treatments: expert tips on what to look for
Find out what your treatment options are, how to get the best value and the home remedies to avoid
Wondering how to get rid of verrucas? You’re not alone, they're surprisingly common and can be very stubborn.
If you’ve spotted a hard little bump on the sole of your foot that feels a bit like stepping on a stone, you’ve probably got a verruca.
In this guide, we explain what verrucas are, how to treat them at home and how different treatments compare. Plus, when to see a doctor.
We also speak to experts Dr Bernard Ho, consultant dermatologist from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), and Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy, for top tips on treating verrucas successfully.
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How to get rid of verrucas
For most people, there is a case for not treating verrucas.
Dr Bernard Ho, Consultant Dermatologist at the British Association of Dermatologists, tells us: ‘Most verrucas – also known as plantar warts – will resolve by themselves without any treatment if left alone, usually within two years of appearing.’
However, if you don't want to wait that long, or if you've got a stubborn verruca that won't shift, there are over-the-counter treatments you can try.
Book an appointment to see your GP first if you are unsure whether it is a verruca, if you’ve treated it but notice it is spreading, or if you've got a weakened immune system, diabetes or poor sensation in your feet.
This also applies if it's bleeding, painful or changes in appearance, or if it interferes with your daily activities.
Best verruca treatments
Only logged-in Which? members can unlock our exclusive verruca treatment comparison and advice. Not a member yet? Join Which? today to access our full verruca guide, including:
- Comparison of different verruca removal methods available and how to get the best price.
- Expert insights on which ingredients really work for beating a verruca, and whether any home remedies actually work.
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Popular verruca treatments
We've rounded up some verruca treatments below, based on search popularity and product strength, to help you compare prices and options.
These brands are popular across major UK retailers, such as Boots and LloydsPharmacy, and typically have reviews with an average of four stars or more across the platforms that we checked.
Please note we haven't tested or reviewed these products yet and we can't compare every price or retailer.
What causes verrucas?
Verrucas are a skin infection caused by a virus called HPV, which affects the outer layer of the skin.
Padding around barefoot in communal settings, such as changing rooms or showers at a swimming pool or the gym, can increase your chances of getting one.
Dr Ho adds: ‘You usually catch [verrucas] when the virus enters your skin through tiny cuts or breaks, most often on the soles of your feet.'
Sharing towels, socks, or shoes with someone who has one, or direct skin-to-skin contact, increases the chances of you getting a verruca, too.
Fungal nail treatments - what are your options and how to get the best value
Are verrucas contagious? And who is most at risk?
Yes, says Dr Ho: ’Verrucas are quite contagious, especially in the right conditions.’
He adds: ‘The virus spreads easily through direct contact or from contaminated surfaces (like pool floors or shared towels).
‘[Verrucas] are most common in children, teenagers, and young adults. This is partly because they use communal areas such as school changing rooms and swimming pools more often, and their immune systems may not have learned to fight off the virus yet.'
People with weaker immune systems are more likely to get verrucas, too.
Dr Ho tells us: ‘Individuals with certain medical conditions, those taking medications that suppress the immune system, or those under stress or with poor nutrition. However, even healthy people can get verrucas if the virus finds a way in.’
How to stop the spread of verrucas
- Keep feet clean and dry.
- Cover verrucas with waterproof plasters in communal spaces.
- Avoid picking or scratching, and wash your hands immediately after touching the area.
- Avoid using the same pumice stone, nail files or nail clippers for your warts as you do for your healthy skin and nails.
When should you see a doctor for your verruca?
According to the NHS, if your verruca is painful, doesn’t respond to home treatment after 12 weeks or is spreading, speak to your GP or a podiatrist – especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation.
Meet our experts
We spoke to several experts for this article to get insights on how best to tackle verrucas. They include:
Dr Bernard Ho (He/Him) MBBS MRCP (Dermatology) PgCert (Hons) MBA
A UK-trained Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Ho spoke to us on behalf of the British Association of Dermatologists – he sees and treats adults for all skin conditions. Dr Ho has a special interest in LGBTQ+ health and appreciates the interface between skin health and mental health.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy
Dr Grant qualified as a Doctor in Bristol in 1985. He has wide clinical experience as a GP in and around Bristol. He has a particular interest in orthopaedic medicine. He's the senior clinician at online pharmacy service The Independent Pharmacy.