Can I swim with a verruca?

A verruca is a plantar wart – plantar meaning on the sole of the foot.

According to Dr Trisha Macnair www.bbc.co.uk/health

 It is a virus that can be found throughout the swimming pool environment. Just by going swimming you are exposing yourself to it. Although it is only able to cause an infection if you have some sort of minor break down of the skin surface, which allows the infection to penetrate through.

Evidence from www.patient.co.uk state that verrucas may be covered by water proof plasters or socks but there is no evidence that these measures prevent spread. The use of communal showers is associated with higher rates of catching verrucas.

Data on verrucas is limited, although:

» They are uncommon in infants
» As many as 10% of the population is affected at any one time
» Most people get them

Verrucas will heal on their own without treatment, but this can take months or even years. www.verrucas.org.uk