Verruca
Verrucae are benign types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) group of which there are over 200 sub types. On the hands and feet the most common sub types are HPV-1, HPV-2 & HPV-4. The virus enters the skin through small lesions and is contagious. It is only able to survive in the epidermal layers of the skin and doesn’t infect the subcutaneous tissue below. The virus may lay dormant for many weeks and in some cases months, it then has an increase in its production of skin cells and takes on a warty appearance.
If the verruca does not spread and is pain free we suggest leaving it alone especially in children where their natural immune system will allow it to spontaneously regress.
If you have or have had a verrucae you will know it can be one of the most frustrating and persistent conditions to have. There are several treatment modalities on the open market and often by the time a patient visits a Podiatrist, they will have tried some of these, with varying success.
Somerset Podiatry Clinic is pleased to be able to offer this effective “needling” for verrucae, which is 65% effective in treating the verrucae with a single application.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and is pain free, it involves puncturing the verrucae with a small sterile needle multiple times, which researchers believe it to work by pushing the infected cells further into the subcutaneous tissue below the epidermis, creating a controlled inflammatory response causing the immune system to destroy the infected cells.
Only one verruca needs to be treated as needling can cause spontaneous regression in all lesions following a needling session.
This procedure is only carried out after an initial consultation with our Podiatrist to assess patient suitability.
