What treatments are available for verrucas?

There are several treatments available for verrucae all focusing on the destruction of the cells. The destruction of the cells is thought to release the human papilloma virus into the bloodstream, allowing the body to create antibodies against this, and then be able to fight the verruca itself using its immune system.

Treatments include:

● Homeopathic remedies
● Caustics (mild acids)
● Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen)
● Electrosurgery
● Laser

Homoeopathic remedies:
Homoeopathic remedies are infrequently used. A podiatrist or chiropodist may recommend that a young child or diabetic uses a homoeopathic remedy at home. This generally entails applying an oil to the affected area. A homoeopathic remedies, by their very nature, takes longer to produce results.

Caustics (mild acids):

Caustics, otherwise known as chemical cauterisation, plays a major part in the treatment of verrucas. This treatment offers minimum discomfort to the patient and in most cases giving rapid results. Extreme care needs to be taken when using some of the stronger chemicals. While application control can be taken on the skin surface, it may not be controlled as it is absorbed into the deeper tissues.

The patient needs to be made aware, that on occasions tissue breakdown does occur, this can be dealt with quickly by the practitioner.

Cryotherapy:

Electrosurgery:

Electrosurgery is an alternative to cryotherapy. Using heat, electrosurgery destroys the cells of the verruca, releasing the human papilloma virus into the circulation and allowing an immune response to start. However, electrosurgery has little benefit over cryotherapy. It is generally too painful to be used on the sole of the foot, it often leaves scar tissue behind and also cannot be used if the patient has a pacemaker as this may cause an interference.

Laser:

At The Whiteley Clinic, we use an Nd:YAG laser. This has revolutionised our treatment of verrucas - particularly verrucas that have been resistant to other treatments. It has been so successful we now recommend it as our treatment of choice.

Please see our Laser Treatment for Verrucas page.

Conclusion:

Your podiatrist or chiropodist will assess your verruca to see firstly whether it is appropriate to treat, and if so, which is the best treatment option.

Treatment entails an ongoing situation where different destructive treatments are applied, dead cells are removed, and the response of the verruca is monitored insuring no adverse event, until there is complete resolution of the problem.

For speed of resolution, and for the best chance of getting rid of difficult verrucas, we have found that our Laser treatment for verrucas to be the best way to treat them.