Verruca Treatments
What Is a Verruca
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A verruca (also called a plantar wart) is a small, rough growth that appears on the sole of the foot.
It’s caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the outer skin layer—usually through tiny cuts or abrasions.
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Verrucae can:
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Cause discomfort or pain when walking
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Appear as clusters (“mosaic warts”)
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Have tiny black dots (clotted capillaries)
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Persist for months or even years if untreated
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At our clinic, we offer a range of advanced treatments for verrucae, including Silver Nitrate application, Verrutop, and Verruca Needling. Each method is designed to effectively address the condition while ensuring patient comfort and safety.
Verruca Needling
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Verruca needling is a minor Surgical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic
The technique involves using a sterile needle to puncture the verruca multiple times, introducing the virus into the deeper layers of skin. This procedure triggers your immune system to recognise the virus and create a natural defence, helping to clear the verruca often including any others on your feet at the same time.
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The Verruca Needling Procedure
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Assessment: Your podiatrist examines the verruca and confirms suitability for the treatment.
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Anaesthetic: The area around the verruca is numbed to ensure complete comfort.
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Preparation: Any hard skin over the lesion is gently removed.
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Needling: A fine, sterile needle is used to puncture the verruca around 100–200 times. You won’t feel this, as the area is numb.
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Dressing: A sterile dressing is applied to protect the area.
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Aftercare and Recovery:
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Mild soreness or bruising may occur once the anaesthetic wears off.
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Keep the dressing dry for 24 hours, and follow your podiatrist’s instructions.
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Normal walking and daily activity can usually resume within a day.
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Avoid swimming, sports, or tight footwear for 2–3 days.
Follow-up appointments are arranged to monitor healing and progress.
3Advantages of Verruca Needling:
One-off treatment in most cases
Targets the root cause by stimulating your immune system
Minimal discomfort and downtime
No need for daily creams or freezing sessions
Often clears multiple verrucae at once
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Who Is Verruca Needling Suitable For?
This treatment is ideal for adults and older teenagers who have:
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Long-standing or resistant verrucae
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Tried other treatments without success
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Painful lesions affecting walking or activity
It may not be suitable for people with poor healing, circulation problems, or certain medical conditions your podiatrist will advise at consultation.
Improvement is usually seen within four months, as your immune system works to clear the viral infection.
Silver Nitrate 95%
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What Is Silver Nitrate
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Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) is a caustic agent that destroys infected and overgrown skin tissue.
In podiatry, a 95% silver nitrate stick (also known as a “caustic pencil”) is often used as a targeted treatment for verruca.
When applied to the lesion, it causes controlled chemical cauterisation destroying viral tissue and stimulating a local immune response to help clear the infection.
How 95% Silver Nitrate Treatment Works
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We gently debrides the verruca to remove hard skin and expose the active viral tissue.
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ApplicationThe silver nitrate stick is moistened and carefully applied to the lesion for a few seconds.
Aftercare
A dressing is applied, and the patient is advised on at-home care.
Treatments are usually repeated weekly or fortnightly until the verruca clears.
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What Patients Can Expect
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A mild stinging or burning sensation during or after treatment
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The area may darken or turn black/grey, which is normal and temporary
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Occasional minor soreness for 1–2 days
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Healing and resolution typically occur over several weeks, depending on verruca depth and immune response
Because silver nitrate is non-invasive and relatively painless, it’s suitable for children or those who cannot tolerate cryotherapy or needling.
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Benefits of Silver Nitrate for Verruca
Simple and quick in-clinic procedure
Minimal discomfort no anaesthetic needed
Useful for small or superficial lesions
Cost-effective alternative to more invasive treatments
Can be combined with other therapies (e.g. salicylic acid, occlusion therapy)
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Risks and Precautions
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May cause temporary staining of skin or nails (grey/black colour)
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Can irritate healthy skin if not applied precisely
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Not recommended for patients with sensitive skin, poor circulation, or open wounds near the site
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Should only be performed by a qualified podiatrist or clinician
Verrutop
Verrutop contains nitric acid, zinc and copper salts, lactic acid, acetic acid, and nitrates. When a clinician applies a tiny drop of Verrutop directly to the wart, it penetrates the tissue and reacts with the proteins inside the infected skin cells. This causes the proteins to denature and the tissue to lose its structure and water content, resulting in a process known as chemical coagulation.
The treated tissue then turns white or yellow and becomes dry and mummified.
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Over the following days, the dead tissue naturally hardens, shrinks, and eventually peels off, exposing new, healthy skin beneath. As the acids and metallic salts work, they also cause a mild inflammatory reaction, which helps to stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and eliminate any remaining viral particles.
Because Verrutop acts precisely on the affected area, it does not damage the surrounding healthy skin, and it typically causes little to no pain during or after treatment. No bandage is needed, and patients can continue normal activities right away.
Most verrucae resolve after several sessions, usually between three and six treatments spaced one or two weeks apart. The skin gradually returns to normal, and recurrence is uncommon when the infection is fully cleared. In short, Verrutop removes the infected wart tissue through chemical denaturation and promotes healing by activating a local immune response, making it an effective and well-tolerated option for treating verrucae.
Contact US
Avan Rasheed
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655 Halifax Road
Bradford
BD6 2QS
07759704715
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WellBeing Centres
69 Bradford Rd, Cleckheaton
BD19 3PT
07445897473