Verrucas are really common – name one kid at school that didn’t have one. This is because they are incredibly contagious, they’re everywhere. But how do you treat them, get rid of them, finally remove them?
This article will ‘walk you’ through the top 5 ways to get rid of a verruca… pun intended.
What are verrucas?
Verrucas are a type of wart that appears on the soles of the feet. They’re caused by the HPV virus (human papillomavirus) and are most commonly located on the ball of the foot. They can have tiny black dots in the centre of them and usually appear flat because of the weight put on them.
Verrucas are known as plantar warts which can cluster together to form mosaic warts (which are not as beautiful as they sound)! They don’t cause any harm but people can find them itchy, painful, or just plain embarrassing.
So how do you get rid of them?
1. Verrutop Solution
By far the most effective way of removing a verruca is by Verrutop solution applied by a professional Podiatrist/Chiropodist.
During the 3-6 treatments, the solution reacts with the verruca to mummify the tissue. The cells underneath then renew and the verruca simply falls off.
If you want more information, head over to our verruca removal page.
Pros:
- The fastest way to remove a verruca.
- It’s pain-free.
- It’s 90% effective on people who have between 3 and 6 treatments.
- For adults and children.
- Doesn’t damage skin.
Cons:
- Requires 3-6 treatments.
2. Verruca Needling
Another effective way of removing a verruca is by verruca needling (also known as dry needling).
It’s a small, painless procedure that uses a fine needle to push infected cells into the skin underneath the verruca. This triggers an immune response from your body to destroy the verruca.
Pros:
- Few number of treatments needed.
- Very effective from research.
- Non-painful.
Cons:
- Most expensive.
3. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is an ingredient commonly found in over-the-counter pharmacy verruca removal creams, gels, and medicated plasters. It softens the hard outer layer, allowing the medication to break down verruca over time. The most effective way to use salicylic acid is via a Podiatrist who can use high concentrations to get even better results.
Tips for the most effective treatment include soaking the verruca and removing excess hard skin with a nail file or pumice stone before applying the salicylic acid. Once the treatment is dry, cover the verruca with a plaster or tape. Always follow the instructions carefully and try not to touch healthy skin with the medication as this can cause irritation.
Pros:
- Readily available.
- Well researched,
- Highly effective if used via a Podiatrist / Chiropodist.
Cons:
- Can take weeks to work if over-the-counter concentration used.
- Needs daily treatment if over-the-counter concentration used.
4. Freezing (Cryotherapy)
The most common (but arguably least effective) way is freezing. There are a million ‘verruca clinics and doctors’ ready to use liquid nitrogen to freeze your verruca but unfortunately, it has quite a few side effects including damage to the surrounding healthy skin, leading to blistering or even scarring.
The method includes spraying or using a cotton bud to apply liquid nitrogen to the wart which is then left for up to 30 seconds. This technique is then repeated every 2 or 3 weeks for up to 6 weeks.
We had a good dig around to find some research to support if it actually works or not but surprisingly… we couldn’t find much at all.
Pros:
- Readily available.
Cons:
- Can damage healthy skin.
- Little to no research to support this method.
Our Conclusion:
If you want to remove your verruca in the quickest time, our experts here would highly recommend Verrutop solution treatment. Luckily for you, we offer this treatment at our award-winning clinic!
Book A Verruca Removal Appointment today or give us a call on 01273 711 399 for some free advice.