Verrucae: Understanding and Treatment Options

What are verrucae?

• Verrucae are harmless skin growths on the feet, also known as plantar warts.
• They’re caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Since the sole of the foot is thick, pressure from walking can push verrucae inwards, sometimes causing discomfort. It also makes them harder to treat since the majority of the verruca is in the foot (compared to a wart on the hadn’t which is protruding)

Do I need treatment?

• Verrucae often disappear on their own within two years.
• If the verruca isn’t painful, treatment might not be necessary.
• If it causes discomfort or you’d like it removed, we offer several treatment options.

Treatment at A&A Podiatrists

We focus on safe, effective treatments that suit your needs.  Most treatments require several appointments. What works for one person may not work for another! Here’s an overview on what we do:

• Salicylic Acid: A tried-and-trusted method with a high success rate, especially for children. A much stronger percentage (60%) than in pharmacy products eg Bazooka (26%). It is applied and left on for 2-4 days. After 2 weeks the scab is removed  in the clinic and process repeated. This continues for 4-6+ treatments until it is gone.
• Verrutop: A treatment using a solution of Nitrizinc compounds. The liquid is applied to the verrucae which seeps into the tissue and dries it out. There is no need to keep dry and there is no pain (occasional stinging for 10 mins). At least 4 treatments are common.
• Cryofreeze: Freezing treatment best suited for single verrucae or warts on other areas. Verrucae may need 3 freezes, a month apart. We use the FreezePen and Nitrous Oxide freezing at -91 degrees.
• Dry Needling: Stimulates your immune system to fight the virus, effective for multiple or stubborn verrucae. Two treatments are commonly undertaken 4 months apart. The foot is numbed with a local anaesthetic at the ankle usually and a fine needle makes 200 indents in the verruca to stimulate the immune system. A bandage applied and removed after 2 days. The scab falls off and hopefully the verruca too! This costs £250 for the first treatment and £100 for second treatment since this is a surgical procedure.
• Other Acids: Monochloracetic acid, pyrogallol acid and silver nitrate are also used depending on the case.
• No Treatment: Treatment is not always required at the appointment. During the consultation the podiatrist will remove the build up of hard skin and assess the verrucae but the above treatments may not be needed at all appointments.

Important Note: No verruca treatment is 100% guaranteed and whilst they can and often do go quickly, results will vary . We’ll discuss the most suitable options for you during your appointment. Lifestyle, job, verruca type, age, health and pain thresholds will all be taken into consideration.

Costs 

• Initial Consultation: £80 (payment required at booking)
• Follow Up Appointments 10 mins: £40 (£70 for half an hour)
• Additional fees if there are many verrucae requiring longer appointments or additional cryogen cartridges to be used (£15-£20 each).
• We charge the £40 for all follow up appointments even if no treatment is required. This could be for example at the last appointment if it appears to have gone. We may need to see you back if there is a reaction to the acid and you are in pain (always remove the plaster if this is the case).
• Cost comparison, we do not aim to be the cheapest provider of treatment but we aim to simplify the process and take away some of the uncertainty that is inherent in verruca treatment by charging a similar cost for our treatments. Some clinics charge £75 or £85 for cryotherapy, or £85 for Verrutop. Others charge £35 or £85 for acid application.
• There may be variations in fees for specific cases and these will be discussed and agreed as needed.

Other Treatment Options

Some podiatrists offer additional treatments. These may be discussed as needed:

• Swift Microwave Therapy: Uses microwaves to target the verruca. This can be convenient with 4 treatments a month or so apart. Can be very painful depending on the setting. Typical charges when we last checked were £150 a treatment.
• Cryotherapy with Liquid Nitrogen: An even colder freezing method. Can be more effective but also may cause greater tissue damage and blistering.
• Surgical excision: Removal via laser or cutting, typically a last resort.

We’re here to help!

During your appointment, we’ll:

• Thoroughly assess your verrucae
• Explain your treatment choices in detail
• Develop a personalised treatment plan together

• We look forward to working with you to find the best solution!

Verruca Information and Aftercare Leaflet for patients

We are a private podiatry clinic and do not offer NHS or free of charge services. A consultation charge is payable for the consultation regardless if any ‘treatment’ is carried out.