What is a Verruca?
Verruca are small lumps on the skin of the feet caused by a virus.
The main symptom of a verruca is a small, rough lump on the skin with tiny black dots underneath the skin.
Verrucas do not cause any harm and they often go away on their own, but if they start to cause pain or spread, then you might want to seek treatment.
Verrucas come from the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) of which there are lots of varying strains, and as with all viruses can be picked up by anyone. They can be quite a complex virus, with different types of verrucas, some can go without treatment and some are stubborn and can hang around for a long time.
What can be done?
There isn’t one single treatment that guarantees a resolution, and as with every virus you can catch it again. There are also many commonly suggested mythical treatment options including duct tape, Vicks vapour rub, banana peel and picking it off. There is no scientific evidence that these sort of treatments work.
There are treatments that do have scientific evidence of working and we offer these at WGH. They include Acid Therapy, Swift Microwave Therapy and Needling
Treatments available at Warley Grange Health
Swift Microwave Therapy
Swift is a new technology, developed in the UK, and the therapy has been licensed for the general treatment of skin lesions in Podiatry and Dermatology The technology uses microwave energy which is delivered through a special probe. The probe is applied to the skin to treat the affected tissue.
How does Microwave Therapy work?
Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the surface and can often be difficult to treat using traditional methods. This results in either untreated tissue or leaves the potential for excess damage to healthy tissue.
Swift delivers a precise, highly controlled energy dose. As microwaves travel into the tissue, water molecules begin colliding and creating localised heat energy. This quickly destroys all infected tissue within a predetermined depth. In just seconds the treatment is complete and healing begins immediately. Treated tissue is quickly replaced, repaired and regenerated.
Does it hurt?
Like many treatments for skin lesions, some discomfort may be experienced. Pain levels vary from person to person. However most people undergoing Swift liken it to a pain similar to an injection or a scratch, lasting 2 – 3 seconds then quickly subsiding. Only in rare cases is there any prolonged pain.
What can I do after treatment?
In some cases the treated area may feel sore but will not usually prevent you undertaking normal daily activities.
How many treatments will I need?
This is dependent on how you respond to treatment. In some cases, you may need more than one treatment. The treatments may be four weeks apart depending on the response.
Can anyone receive this treatment?
Most people with skin lesions would be able to have this treatment although there are a few exceptions, . Swift is not recommended for use on diabetic patients, patients with implanted electronic devices or electrodes or for use close to metallic objects (i.e. metal foot implants, jewellery etc).
Can anyone receive this treatment?
Most people with skin lesions would be able to have this treatment although there are a few exceptions, . Swift is not recommended for use on diabetic patients, patients with implanted electronic devices or electrodes or for use close to metallic objects (i.e. metal foot implants, jewellery etc).
Before and after photo of a WGH patient who received Swift Microwave Therapy
This patient came to us for treatment on a large, long-standing verruca. Having had the verruca for around 6 years and trying Cryo-Therapy treatment elsewhere he decided to come to WGH for Swift treatment.
After three sessions of Swift and on his forth visit to us, we were pleased to inform the patient that his verruca had gone.
Acid Therapy
The purpose of acid therapy is to destroy the cells where the virus lives. This treatment involves a once weekly visit to the clinic, where an acid (which is stronger than the acid you can buy in chemists) is applied to the verruca. A dressing is then applied to cover the verruca.
To assist with treatment, you will be asked to keep the foot dry to ensure the dressing stays on until the next appointment. If the dressing is removed the treatment is less effective. This treatment tends to be pain free, but should discomfort arise information is provided on how to neutralise the acid and remove the pain.
Treatment progress is closely monitored by the podiatrist at each weekly appointment.
Needling
Verruca needling is an invasive treatment method designed to promote the body’s own immune system to destroy the cells infected with the virus.
After providing the area of the foot with anaesthetic to numb the tissue, a sterile needle is passed through the verruca numerous times to implant the verruca into the dermal layer of the skin, where it will die and create a controlled immune reaction from the body.
The area will be dressed and reviewed. Minor discomfort may be present for 1-2 days once the anaesthetic wears off.
Unlike other verruca treatments, needling therapy is typically required once or rarely twice to gain eradication of the verruca.
Though all our podiatrists treat verruca, should needling be your preferred choice of treatment you will need to see Richard for this procedure. To book an appointment with us for verruca treatment please contact us using the button below