BLOG - REGULAR BLOG BY JANET McGROGGAN - PRINCIPAL PODIATRIST 

Posts tagged “Verruca”

This week's blog talks about a relatively new treatment for verrucae which is great if you are busy because it's a one-off treatment with reviews roughly every two months. 
 
It's called needling and, yes, it could do with a less scary name but it is what it is!! 
 
Needling was first carried out in America in 1969 and success rates of 70 – 90% after a single treatment are common. 
 
One verrucae will be selected to treat and the surrounding area anaesthetised. 
A caustic is a substance that is destructive to living tissue. Podiatrist have access to several with different actions, my favourite is 60% Salicylic Acid.  
 
It destroys Keratin, a protein that forms part of the epidermis where the Verrucae lives. This painless treatment is usually well tolerated. 
Cryotherapy is the destruction of diseased tissue by extreme cold. 
 
Your podiatrist will remove any overlying callus and the probe will be held closely to the lesion. An application will last 10—15 seconds and may be a little uncomfortable. A second application may be used. 
 
Afterwards the treated area will be covered. This area MUST be kept dry for 24 hours. 
Can't you just cut it out? Has it got roots? What are the black spots? 
 
All valid questions, all shall be answered. 
 
What is a Verrucae? 
 
A verrucae is a virus that affects the epidermal layer of our skin. It is known as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and there are more than 90 types of HPV. 
 
Viruses are microscopic. But, what you can see are the distorted skin cells that the verrucae has invaded. There may be small black dots which are capillaries (tiny blood vessels). 
 
A verrucae may be a single lesion (plantar wart) which on weight bearing areas can be quite deep and covered with hard skin. Or grouped together as multiple or mosaic warts (cutaneous warts) which are generally more superficial. 
 
Verrucae are spread by the transfer of a virally infected cell in a damp environment. 
 
So, cover it with a plaster if you are sharing a shower or bathing area. 
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