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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think there must be something we can do about the verrucas

51 replies

SEmyarse · 23/04/2018 20:04

Dd2 (age 11) has verrucas, a lot of them. 3 big ones across the ball of one foot, and a mass of 10 plus on the other one, also on the ball. None on the heels. They have been there for approximately 4 years now.

I have tried everything - bazuka, filing, home freezing, banana skins, duct tape, nail varnish, pumice stone, other brands of salicylic acid, even super glue which I've seen recommended on here. When she had them about 6 years ago, the banana skins worked a treat, but nothing is touching them this time.

She's in constant discomfort, says it feels like walking on lego bricks. I've been to the doctor's several times, but they all say the same, it clears up within 2 years, well it clearly doesn't. She was referred to a podiatrist for a problem her ankles (which I reckon was caused by her walking funny from them, docs disagree), but he just told me to get her supportive footwear and then agreed the shoes she was in WERE very supportive.

She's had to give up dance, and is on the verge of giving up table tennis. There MUST be something that can be done. It's affecting us all, we no longer go for countryside walks as a family because she can't manage it. I've tried contacting local chiropodists for quotes on treatment but they've all responded either saying they don't treat under 18s or that they don't recommend treating verrucas at all. Please someone tell me something that can be done.

OP posts:
EspressoButler · 23/04/2018 20:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user301204 · 23/04/2018 20:07

Have you tried Pickles Ointment? My DS's feet looked like moon craters with all the verrucas he had. We spent a fortune on chiropodists to no avail, and the ointment worked a treat. Good luck. (Should be able to buy it from a chemist)

EspressoButler · 23/04/2018 20:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tortelliniforever · 23/04/2018 20:08

I had a similar problem that was only cleared up after 3 chiropodist trips! It is rubbish that they won't treat her when it is causing her pain. Go back to your GP and insist, insist, insist!

tortelliniforever · 23/04/2018 20:09

Also check it's not an autoimmune issue.

SunnySomer · 23/04/2018 20:10

I really hate to say this but my DS (also 11) had masses of them from aged 4 until this year. We tried everything - even regular dermatology appointments at the hospital - and nothing shifted them. Then they suddenly vanished.
I was wondering if she could wear something like a corn plaster to cushion the area, or are they in a big mass?
Massive sympathy though

Belle89 · 23/04/2018 20:10

I had about 10 for years on the ball of my foot causing pain! No medicines from the chemist worked. Last year I was constantly feeling tired and it was flu season so i started taking vitamin C, D and zinc plus feroglobin iron supplement in an attempt to boost energy and avoid all colds doing the rounds in the office.
Over a few weeks my foot started to itch and all veracuccas went on their own accord must of been an immune system boost i needed, i don't know. Was so happy after fighting them for years and getting no where.

seventh · 23/04/2018 20:11

My daughter used sellotape and tea tree oil. Took a few months but they never came back

DoinItForTheKids · 23/04/2018 20:11

We went to GP. High strength acid had them gone within a few months. DD (15) did all the treatment herself. It's much stronger than the stuff you can buy in a chemist. It didn't hurt, it's really effective. We had tried the home verucca freezing before this and it didn't do a thing. Ask the GP for that - they may not want to refer her, fine, but they can write a blessed prescription. It's called Occlusal. There's no reason for them not to let you try it really that I can think of.

Nothisispatrick · 23/04/2018 20:12

I had a patch of verrucas that did not clear up after two years, not sure how often that is actually true..

Anyway the only thing that worked was duct tape. I know it's on your list but I had to do it for a LONG time before they cleared. Nearly a year but I could see it working, they were just stubborn.

YouTheCat · 23/04/2018 20:12

I was coming to say what Tortellini said. As it's been so long, get the GP to check her for auto immune issues.

margerybruce · 23/04/2018 20:12

Yep tea tree oil

Ohmydayslove · 23/04/2018 20:13

Filing with sand paper every night. Only way they need constant attention and treatment

Original poster
SEmyarse · 23/04/2018 20:13

I keep asking about the immunity thing, but they won't hear of it.
She's got a few other issues going on too, constant bad stomach and diarrhoea, and complaining of back pain and pain in the groin area. She just seems generally run down, but very rarely gets coughs and colds so I don't know.

They've done bloods, and pee and poo samples for the other stuff but nothing has shown up.

OP posts:
OlennasWimple · 23/04/2018 20:14

Talk to me about the duct tape method? DS has one stubborn one that has been on his toe for over a year....

jamoncrumpets · 23/04/2018 20:15

My mind went straight to auto immune issues.

Watch this for more info.

bigKiteFlying · 23/04/2018 20:16

I'd go back to the GP.

I know it's not easy I got fobbed off so many times with DS eczema.

However I saw that embarrassing bodies program where the girl had verruca’s which refused to go and it turned out there was a rare and life-threatening immune disorder.

www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/road-to-recovery-for-brave-charlotte-1-708635

Twist89 · 23/04/2018 20:17

DOES she swim?

I used to get them as a child when I went to swimming club. They quickly cleared up after I left.

Maybe use a foot file and follow with foot moisturiser and cotton socks? Worth a try

Original poster
SEmyarse · 23/04/2018 20:18

She swims occasionally, just as a family, she doesn't do lessons or anything

OP posts:
jamoncrumpets · 23/04/2018 20:19

Oh god, sorry if the pic accompanying that vid upsets anyone! Had no idea it'd show up!

Acopyofacopy · 23/04/2018 20:20

Dd has had verrucas for years! She managed to finally get rid of them with daily filing, Bazooka and slivers of garlic plastered on every night.

Coming to think of it, this also coincides with her introducing fruit and veg into her diet Hmm

Twist89 · 23/04/2018 20:22

It’s easy to get them at swimming pools so get a verucca sock if you haven’t already.

Also, I have heard of people cutting veruccas out with scissors :o obviously don’t do that but if it’s possible why can’t the GP refer her to get them surgically removed?

GlitterGlassEye · 23/04/2018 20:23

I had a verruca for 12 years and I tried everything to get rid of it. Then I started soaking my feet in diluted TCP to get rid of a fungal infection (yes I am an absolute treat) and both verruca and infection disappeared completely within a week Shock.

jazzandh · 23/04/2018 20:24

many years ago I had 13 of the blasted things on one foot and the Dr prescribed me with formaldehyde solution.

I soaked my foot every day and may have scraped at them a bit with one of the scalpels, but it really worked effectively.

Worth asking specifically for this.

(I thought I may have mis remembered what it was - but a quick google shows this is indeed still a treatment).

YouCantGetHereFromThere · 23/04/2018 20:25

We were similar - DD had them for years and years. We applied everything you can imagine, very consistently. It drove me nuts when people said 'Oh have you tried xxx? It worked for us!' Duh. Yes we have.

Went to the GP, who did a mix of freezing them, and applying Cantharidin (only available from doctors, here in the US, don't know about the UK).

That didn't help much either so we got a referral to a dermatologist who is treating them more aggressively with freezing and Cantharidin, and who prescribed Imiquimod to use at home every night. When I say she's treating them aggressively, DD (who is 15) cries during treatment, and her feet are very very sore for several days.

They are FINALLY going. I think it'll take a few more treatments then they will be gone.

I would definitely go back to your GP - it could be an immune issue, or it could take some very aggressive treatment to remove them.