Verrucae
Watch our video for more information on some of the treatment options we offer
Let your Verucca be our problem, not yours.
What is a Verruca?
Verrucas are a type of wart caused by the Human Papilloma Virus and typically effect the bottom of the feet. They sometimes resolve on their own, although this can take many years for some people. However, if they become painful, irritating or you don't like the way they look then they may need treating.
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Warts and verrucas come in all shapes and sizes. They can affect any part of the body, but are more common on the hands and feet. Warts and verrucas can be spread to other people through close skin contact or contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. You're more likely to get infected if your skin is wet or damaged. After becoming infected, it can take weeks or even months for a verruca to first appear.
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Treatments
Conservative Debridement (non-surgical and least invasive)
Debridement is a conservative approach to managing Verrucas that are painful. Verrucas usually form a thick layer of hard skin, which can be painful when walking or wearing shoes. Conservative debridement simply removes the hard callused skin around the lesion which often provides instant relief. However, debridement alone is for symptom management only and does not attempt to cure the verucca, although some research suggests that this can stimulate an immune response. This is the least invasive option for those who do not want to undergo more invasive caustic or surgical treatment.
Verruca Needling (Surgical Procedure)
Verruca needling is probably the most effective treatment for Verrucas with an approximate success rate of around 80%. Needling is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, that aims to stimulate an immune response by pushing the virus into the more vascular layers of the skin. If you have more than one verruca, usually only one lesion needs to be treated, as stimulating an immune response allows the body to recognise the virus more easily and fight the other verrucas too. Treatment is usually only required once. Results may vary, and a 100% success rate can not be guaranteed.
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Is it painful?
No, a local anaesthetic will be given either around the verruca or at the side of the ankle to completely numb the area.
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What is the procedure?
A fine needle is used to perforate the verruca tissue to stimulate bleeding. This encourages an immune response and may be the best way to resolve your verruca.
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Contact us today to see if you are suitable.
Cryotherapy (Freezing)
Cryotherapy is a second line verruca treatment which involves applying liquid nitrogen (or similar) onto the lesion to destroy the affected tissues. The amount of time taken to freeze the area will vary depending on its size and location, with larger lesions requiring more treatment. Firstly, the lesion will be reduced with a scalpel. Once the area has been frozen a small scab or blister usually forms. It uses extreme cold therefore is an uncomfortable procedure, some discomfort can also be expected a few days after treatment.
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Cryotherapy works by causing the cells which make up the lesion to rupture thus releasing the antigens which make up the virus into the blood stream. Once the virus is in the blood stream it is recognised by the immune system and an immune response is triggered to fight off the infection. Usually, a number of treatments are required at around monthly intervals. As with any verruca treatment option it is not 100% guaranteed to work, some verruca may go after two treatments of cryotherapy whereas others may not clear after ten.
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Silver Nitrate
Silver Nitrate has been shown to be an effective treatment for Verrucas. It is a chemical that is applied directly to the wart. It works by chemically cauterising the skin, which means it destroys any unwanted tissue. This process kills warts and Verrucas. Your specialist podiatrist will prepare the Verucca site with a thorough sharp debridement to expose the deeper layers of the Verucca. The treatment then needs to be applied daily up to 6 times. You will notice a black mark forms after treatment, but don't worry this is normal.
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Speak with one of our Advanced Podiatrists today for more information.
