Verrucas
Small, painful lumps commonly found on the feet or fingers caused by a viral infection (HPV), verrucas are a common and contagious skin condition. They often appear as rough, grainy growths and may contain visible black dots. While they sometimes clear up on their own, professional treatment is often needed for persistent or painful cases.
What Causes Verrucas?
Verrucas are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through cuts or abrasions. They’re often picked up in communal areas like swimming pools, showers, and gyms.
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Who Is Most at Risk?
Are Verrucas Contagious?
Yes — verrucas can spread through direct skin contact or by sharing surfaces, towels, and footwear. Treating them promptly reduces the risk of spreading to others or different parts of the body.
Recommended Treatment(s)
Your practitioner will recommend the most suitable treatment based on the verruca's size, location, and duration.
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How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Some verrucas respond after a single session. Others, especially larger or long-standing ones, may require two to three treatments at intervals of around three weeks.
Is Verruca Removal Painful?
Discomfort is typically mild, described as a sharp freezing sensation that lasts only seconds.
Treating Children
We can safely treat children aged 6 to 18, with parental supervision required during the session.
Before and After Pictures
Frequently Asked Questions
It is normal for multiple treatments to be needed. If the verruca is large or has been established for many months, it will take longer for the verruca to be destroyed. Sometimes 4 treatments may be required.
With a sharp 20-second burst of nitrous oxide freezing at minus 89 degrees, a certain amount of discomfort can be felt on the targeted areas. Any pain will disappear immediately after treatment, as the area warms up.
This depends on the size and age of the verruca. The older the verruca, the more often the roots have developed further. This means that the die-off is greater and longer. However, after the initial treatment, there should be a gradual or total removal of the said skin lesion.
Also, it will depend on the age of the person having the treatment. A young person’s body will dispose of the verruca, post-treatment, quicker than a more mature person. The lymphatic system works much quicker on those who are younger.
CryoPen is a medical-grade pen that emits nitrous oxide at intense freezing pressure. It is used around the world by doctors and hospitals for verruca, wart, keratosis, and other such nonsurgical treatments. It is a very safe procedure. However, like all non-surgical treatments, there is always a risk, and any aftercare advice should be adhered to.
It cannot be guaranteed that after the success of your first treatment to remove your verruca, you will not get another verruca in another place on your body, or even the same place.
We advise you to avoid soaking the treated area. Endeavor to keep the foot away from the main jet in a shower or the water in a bath. Avoid swimming in the sea, lakes, rivers, or pools for the first few days after treatment. Avoid high-impact activities for a few days post-treatment to promote healing and prevent infection to the verruca.
There may be some mild redness or mild swelling around the area. There may be some blistering post-treatment, but this typically resolves within a few days. You are advised to follow the aftercare instructions given, including keeping the area clean and dry.
A verruca, also known as a plantar wart, is a viral infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This affects the skin’s top layer. It’s often found on the soles of the feet and can have a distinctive cauliflower-like appearance with a rough texture and small black dots on the surface.
Yes, verrucas are contagious. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically types 1, 2, 4, 27, and 57. This virus thrives in warm, moist environments such as swimming pools, communal showers, or gym locker rooms, making these places prime locations for transmission.
Direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a verruca or contact with contaminated surfaces, like floors in public areas, can lead to transmission. The virus can enter the skin through small cuts or abrasions, and once inside, it causes the rapid growth of skin cells, leading to the development of a verruca.
Also, the virus can be transferred from one part of the body to another, leading to multiple verrucas in different areas.