VERRUCA REMOVAL

Safe and effective verruca removal

Verrucas (or verrucae) are warts that grow on feet. They are a viral skin infection that appears on the outermost layer of the skin.

Verrucas are contagious. They can quickly spread from person to person, either through direct contact or through contact with contaminated surfaces. While they are contagious, the chances of catching them are relatively low. The possibility of catching a verruca increase when your skin is wet, damaged or you have a weak immune system.

What is a Verruca?

Verrucas, and warts (which grow on the hands) are small, rough growths which are caused by certain strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

They develop on the soles of the feet, are usually white, often with a black dot in the centre. Verrucas are flat rather than raised, like warts, and they can be painful when weight is applied to the part of the foot they are on.

Verruca removal pre-treatment advice
Viral lesions can be hard to treat as you are treating the lesion as well as the virus. In the days leading up to your appointment, we recommend a pre-treatment to the verruca. The treatment works best when the skin covering these lesions is soft and slightly opened.

Before treatment for verruca removal, follow the steps below:

• Soak the lesion in a bowl of warm, soapy water for 20 minutes
• With a pumice stone or emery board (nail file), gently scrub the lesion until the skin becomes rough (remember to throw item away after use)
• Please do not scrub so hard that you make the area sore

Discontinue these steps if bleeding occurs. You are not trying to open a wound or cause discomfort. However, the more deeply the jet of Nitrous Oxide can penetrate, the better the chances of removal are.

Common verrucas are caused by a viral condition called the Human Papillomavirus, and whilst they are not harmful, they are contagious. If the virus is active, they will be difficult to treat successfully with any method; however, the use of CryoPen can be an effective option for treatment.

Do’s and don’ts of verrucas (before seeking treatment):

If you’re suffering from verrucas, please follow the below guidance from the NHS until you are assessed for treatment.

Do
• wash your hands after touching a verruca
• change your socks daily if you have a verruca
• cover verrucas with a plaster when swimming

Don’t

• Share towels, flannels, socks or shoes if you have a verruca
• Walk barefoot in public places if you have a verruca
• Scratch or pick a verruca

Cryotherapy for verrucas

At Laserways our team of experts can offer safe, quick and painless verruca removal as well as wart removal using our cryo treatment.

The Nitrous Oxide from the CryoPen freezes the blood vessels within the affected area, which causes the wart or verruca to collapse in on themselves and stop the blood supply. Within a few weeks it will then naturally fall off, often with the individual unaware that it’s even happened.

Why choose cryotherapy for verrucas?

Cryotherapy is a highly effective solution for the removal of verrucas.

Our evidence shows that this form of treatment will safely remove the unwanted wart or verruca, which with the right course of follow up treatment will mean it is unlikely to come back.

Is verruca removal painful and will there be side effects?

During the treatment patients may experience a sensation similar to a ballpoint pen being pushed onto the skin when the Nitrous Oxide reaches the bottom of the lesion. It is unlikely you will have any side effects but we advise every patient to contact us if they have any concerns after undergoing treatment.