What are verrucae?
A verruca (verruca pedis) is a common skin infection caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Verrucae often appear as an area of hard, rough skin on the sole of the foot and may contain small black dots, which are tiny blood vessels within the lesion.
Verrucae are very common, and most people will develop one at some point in their lives. They are most commonly contracted in environments such as swimming pools, communal changing rooms and gyms, where the virus thrives in warm, moist conditions.
It is important to remember that verrucae are contagious and can spread to other areas of your feet or to other people.
One of the challenges with verrucae is that they can be stubborn and may take time to resolve. Factors such as a weakened immune system, illness, stress, or nutritional deficiencies can sometimes prolong the healing process.
There are many treatment options available for verrucae, ranging from topical treatments to professional podiatry treatments. However, the effectiveness of treatment varies from person to person.
A verruca is caused by a virus, and in many cases it will eventually resolve naturally once your immune system recognises and fights the infection. Because everyone responds differently, a treatment that works well for one person may not be effective for another.
Patience is often required, and if a verruca becomes painful, spreads, or persists for a prolonged period, professional advice should be sought.
Treatments We Offer
Regular debridement:
Verrucae can sometimes become uncomfortable or painful. In many cases, this discomfort is not caused by the verruca itself, but by the build-up of hard skin (callus) that forms over the affected area.
Regular debridement involves carefully reducing and removing this overlying hard skin. This can help relieve pressure on the verruca, reducing pain and improving comfort when standing or walking.
Debridement may also create a mild local irritation, which can help stimulate the body's immune response. As verrucae are caused by a virus, encouraging an immune response may assist the body in recognising and resolving the infection.
While debridement is not a cure for verrucae, it can be an effective way of managing discomfort and may support the natural healing process.
Zinc oxide tape is a rigid cotton sports tape with a strong zinc oxide-based adhesive. Zinc oxide has been used for many years in a variety of skin care and antiseptic products due to its protective and soothing properties.
As a verruca treatment, zinc oxide tape works by covering the affected area and creating a mild irritation to the skin. This irritation may help stimulate the body's immune response, encouraging it to recognise and fight the virus that causes the verruca.
The tape also provides a protective barrier over the verruca, helping to reduce friction and pressure from walking and everyday activities.
Zinc oxide tape is a simple, low-cost treatment option that can be used at home. However, as with all verruca treatments, results can vary from person to person, and patience is often required.
Verrutop® is a painless, non-invasive treatment used to treat verrucae and warts. The treatment involves the application of a solution containing a Nitri-Zinc Complex, which works by denaturing the proteins within the affected tissue while helping to preserve the surrounding healthy skin.
The procedure is quick, requires no injections or anaesthetic, and is generally well tolerated by both adults and children.
Verrutop® can be used to treat both single and multiple verrucae and is suitable for adults and children over the age of 6 years.
As with all verruca treatments, individual results can vary. Some verrucae respond quickly, while others may require multiple treatments. The success of treatment depends on several factors, including the size and duration of the verruca and the individual's immune response.
It is important to remember that verrucae are caused by a virus. While treatments such as Verrutop® can help destroy the affected tissue and stimulate resolution, the body's immune system ultimately plays an important role in clearing the infection.
Verruca Needling Verruca needling has been around for decades, but it is only now becoming a frequently used treatment in podiatry. In order to carry out this procedure, your podiatrist will have undertaken specific advanced training in this subject.
Dry needling is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anaesthetic to treat persistent verrucae. Once the foot is fully numb, a fine needle is used to puncture the verruca multiple times. The aim of the treatment is to stimulate the body's immune system to recognise and fight the virus responsible for the verruca.
Some bleeding is expected during the procedure, but this usually stops quickly once the needling has been completed.
Before treatment, it is important to inform your podiatrist if you are taking any blood-thinning medication, as this may affect the procedure and aftercare.
Appointments typically last up to one hour, allowing time for the local anaesthetic to take effect and for the treatment to be carried out safely and comfortably.
A follow-up appointment will be arranged approximately one week after the procedure to assess healing and monitor progress.
It is important to understand that dry needling is not an instant cure. While the procedure is designed to stimulate an immune response, it can still take several weeks or even months for the verruca to fully resolve. In some cases, the verruca may improve significantly but not completely disappear.
As your foot will remain numb for up to four hours following the procedure, you must not drive afterwards. We recommend arranging for someone to accompany you to your appointment or assist you in getting home safely.
Dry needling is only available to patients aged 18 years and over. Younger individuals are generally more likely to clear verrucae naturally, as their developing immune systems often mount an effective response without the need for this procedure.
Key benefits of dry needling:
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Performed under local anaesthetic for comfort
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Aims to stimulate the body's immune response to the virus
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Suitable for persistent or stubborn verrucae
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Minimal downtime following treatment
Please note: As with all verruca treatments, success rates vary between individuals, and no treatment can guarantee complete resolution. The body's immune response remains an important factor in the healing process.
Useful links to research papers on verruca needling:
www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/2/2/13/pdf
http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/11/e009406.full
http://www.bdng.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/13_1_42.pdf
