Verrucas In Children

June 16, 2026

Does Your Child Have A Verruca?

Verrucas are one of the most common foot conditions seen in children.

Whilst many are harmless, they can sometimes become painful, spread to other areas of the foot or affect a child's confidence and participation in activities such as swimming, dance and sport.

Many parents feel unsure whether a verruca needs treatment or whether it will disappear on its own.

At Callen Olive, we understand that every child and every verruca is different. We care about helping parents make informed decisions by providing expert assessment, honest advice and personalised treatment recommendations.

What Is A Verruca?

A verruca is a viral infection affecting the skin on the foot.

It is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which enters the skin through tiny breaks in the surface.

Unlike warts found elsewhere on the body, verrucas develop on weight-bearing areas of the foot and are often pushed inward by the pressure of walking and standing.

They may appear as small rough patches of skin and often contain tiny black dots, which are small blood vessels within the lesion.

Are Verrucas Common In Children?

Yes.

Verrucas are particularly common in children and teenagers because their immune systems are still developing.

Many children will develop at least one verruca during childhood.

The good news is that many verrucas eventually disappear naturally as the immune system learns to recognise and clear the virus.

How Can Verrucas Affect Children?

Many verrucas cause little or no discomfort.

However, some can become painful, particularly when located on weight-bearing areas of the foot.

Children may experience:

Pain when walking.
Discomfort during sport.
Tenderness when standing.
Embarrassment during swimming lessons.
Reluctance to go barefoot.
Concern about spreading the verruca.

For some children, the impact is physical. For others, it is emotional or social.

Common Signs & Symptoms

Verrucas may appear as:

Rough patches of skin.
Areas of thickened skin.
Small black dots within the lesion.
Circular lesions on the sole of the foot.
Pain when squeezed from the sides.
Tenderness during walking.

Some children develop a single verruca, whilst others may develop multiple lesions.

How Do Children Catch Verrucas?

The virus responsible for verrucas thrives in warm, damp environments.

Children may come into contact with the virus in:

Swimming pools.
Changing rooms.
Communal showers.
Sports facilities.
Barefoot activity areas.

However, exposure does not always mean a verruca will develop.

The immune response of each individual child plays an important role.

Do All Verrucas Need Treatment?

No.

This is one of the most important messages we share with parents.

Many verrucas will resolve naturally without treatment.

If the verruca is not causing pain, spreading or affecting your child's confidence or activities, monitoring may sometimes be the most appropriate option.

Our role is to assess the verruca, discuss the options available and help you decide what is best for your child.

How We Assess Verrucas In Children

At Callen Olive, we carefully assess:

The size of the verruca.
The location.
The number of lesions present.
Pain levels.
Previous treatments.
How the verruca is affecting your child.

We also take time to understand your child's activities, sporting commitments and any concerns you may have.

Swift Verruca Treatment For Children

For children experiencing persistent, painful or spreading verrucas, Swift® Microwave Therapy may be recommended.

Swift works differently to many traditional treatments.

Rather than destroying tissue, it uses microwave energy to stimulate the body's natural immune response to recognise and fight the virus.

Benefits include:

No dressings.
No acids.
No need for daily treatment at home.
Minimal interruption to activities.
Suitable for many children and teenagers.

Following assessment, we will discuss whether Swift may be appropriate for your child's individual circumstances.

Supporting Children Through Treatment

We understand that some children may feel nervous about treatment.

Our team takes a calm, gentle and child-friendly approach, ensuring children feel comfortable, supported and involved throughout the process.

Our goal is to create a positive experience whilst helping children return to comfortable, confident movement.

When Should You Seek Professional Advice?

Professional assessment is recommended if:

The verruca is painful.
It is spreading.
Multiple verrucas are present.
Activities or sport are being affected.
Previous treatments have not worked.
You are unsure whether the lesion is a verruca.

Early assessment helps parents understand the options available and make informed decisions about treatment.

Related Conditions

SWIFT Verruca Treatment
Ingrown Toenails In Children
Children's Heel Pain
Verruca Needling
Foot Pain

Related Treatments

Children's Foot Health Assessment
Swift Verruca Treatment
Falknor's Needling
Foot Health Consultation
New Patient Consultation

Learn More About Foot Health

Family Foot Health
Healthy Feet Through Every Stage Of Life
Running & Foot Health

Why Choose Callen Olive?

We Care.

We care about more than treating verrucas.

We care about helping children stay active, confident and comfortable whilst providing parents with expert guidance and honest advice.

By combining advanced treatments, personalised care and a child-friendly approach, we help families make informed decisions about their child's foot health.

Treatment Fees:

No two patients are the same.

That's why every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, lifestyle and goals. Following your assessment, your clinician will explain the treatment options available and help you choose the most appropriate pathway to achieve the best possible outcome.

Our focus is always on helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your comfort, mobility and long-term wellbeing.

Children's New Patient Verruca Consultation : £100

Foot Health Follow Up Consultation: £90

Our team will support you throughout every stage of your recovery to ensure you feel informed, reassured and cared for. If you are unsure which appointment is most suitable, our Patient Care Team will be happy to help, please call us on 0333 305 8347.