Verruca Treatment

If you have a verruca that you would like advice on a possible treatment, make an appointment with a clinic that offers a range of treatment options and has high levels of success

 

What is a verruca?

Foot warts (verrucae) are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) of which there are more than 150 different types. However there are generally only 4 main types that affect the feet and each one differs in size, pain, and appearance.

They are non-cancerous and can occur on either weightbearing (where they are often “pushed” into the skin) or non-weightbearing (where they often protrude out from the skin) parts of the foot. Despite popular belief, they do not have “roots” nor do they necessarily have “black dots” which are just dried spots of blood that can appear in verruca tissue. Frequently they are associated with hardening of the skin which can be a cause of discomfort.

Public understanding of viruses has come a long way due to Covid-19, including the acceptance that there is no quick fix for viral infections and that different people experience different severity of symptoms and different treatment effectiveness. This is the same for verrucae and their treatments.

Verruca Treatment Results

Verruca Treatment In Southam, Warwickshire

There is a wide variety of treatments available for verrucae, but nothing is 100% effective in all cases. At our clinic we take our time to understand our patient’s wants, needs, and expectations so that they have all the appropriate information required to make an informed decision about any treatment option. This includes for parents of any children who present with verrucae. Note that not all treatment options will be suitable for all patients, and that certain corns & skin cancers can look like verrucas and vica versa. So getting a professional diagnosis and suitable treatment plan from all of the options below is very important:

*Tincture of time

*Occlusive taping

Weak acids typically sold over the counter

*Stronger acids

*Verrutop

Imiquimod

*Cryospray

Liquid nitrogen

*Falknor’s needling

SWIFT microwave therapy

*Laser therapy

Electrosurgery / Hyfrecation

Surgical excision

*The starred options are the ones that we currently have available for patients. Very few (if any) are available on the NHS.

How do we contract and prevent verrucas?

It used to be thought that moisture played an important role in the spread of verrucae eg at swimming pools. However we now know that infection occurs when there has been microtrauma to the skin barrier that allows entry of the human papillomavirus (HPV) either from direct contact with viral particles (from another verruca) or indirectly from surfaces such as footwear, flooring, towels etc.

The HPV can survive several months or even years on such surfaces, and there can be an incubation period of 1-20 months before the virus becomes established in skin cells. As such it makes it quite difficult to prevent the spread of verrucae as microtrauma of our skin occurs all the time, especially when we are barefoot.

Whilst there is no real evidence that good foot hygiene can help prevent the spread of verrucae, it makes sense to keep our feet in as good condition as possible through regular washing and drying (including between the toes). Wearing footwear appropriate to the demands placed on our feet is also good advice.

So if you have a verruca that you would like advice on a possible treatment, make an appointment with a clinic that offers a range of treatment options and has high levels of success.

  • positive review  I can so recommend this company, their treatments and advice were exemplary and I was made to feel so relaxed and looked after from beginning to end

    Jackie King Avatar Jackie King
    February 10, 2022

    positive review  It was nice to be greeted by pleasant and friendly reception/admin staff. Johnathan (the podiatrist) was very professional and he was very willing to share his knowledge. The pain in my foot was laser treated and on the last treatment it was manipulated which was amazing. I would highly recommend Johnathan. Ann

    Ann Maria Forster Avatar Ann Maria Forster
    December 4, 2020
  • Mr Small and team provided a really excellent service for my elderly mother and kept her on her feet, mobile and active for the two years she lived near Southam, thank you very much!

    Charlotte Gath Avatar Charlotte Gath
    February 10, 2018

    positive review  I have had persistent pain with my toenails for years, but did not know the cause of the problem. Previous visits to a different podiatrist left me with no answers! After researching local podiatrists I found that Health First came highly recommended. Mr Small quickly found out the cause of my problem and recommended the best treatment options. The staff were all very friendly and made me feel welcome. All very professional. I cannot recommend them enough to anyone! Will be going back for my follow up treatment in the new year.

    Millie Hefferan Avatar Millie Hefferan
    December 3, 2019
  • Jonathon looked after my mum's feet for a number of years and despite her being a difficult patient at the best of times especially after her stroke he was never anything but cheerful and polite. I was always very grateful for the way he looked after mum and I would highly recommend his services.

    David Buchholz Avatar David Buchholz
    September 28, 2017

    positive review  Everything you can think of is available here!

    Jane Vaughan Avatar Jane Vaughan
    September 9, 2021
  • positive review  Thank you Jonathan for inviting me along to your Dynamic & Disasters of The Diabetic Foot seminar and thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. For anyone who has been diagnosed as diabetic I would urge you to visit Jonathan for a comprehensive diabetic foot assessment. You only have one pair of feet so treat them with respect and they will last a lifetime. I look forward to working with you on our quest to treat and educate on foot health. Kind regards - Debbie Hewitt, Foot Health Practitioner (Rugby)

    Debbie Hewitt Avatar Debbie Hewitt
    September 5, 2019

    positive review  A caring and professional service backed up by experience. I had tried every over the counter cure and a few dodgy ones from the internet for my persistent verucca with no luck. Jonathan brought all of his extensive knowledge to bear and now it is gone. I felt confident that my best interests were at the heart of any treatments and that I was in safe, professional hands at all times. Highly recommended.

    Evelyn Baxter Avatar Evelyn Baxter
    October 28, 2019
  • positive review  Friendly efficient service. Jonathan is very professional and ensured treatments were booked conveniently and were conducted brilliantly. Solved my verucca after many years of unsuccessful home remedies.

    Sarah Wilson Avatar Sarah Wilson
    August 28, 2020

    positive review  Jonathan Small has been treating me for a range of foot and gait problems for a number of Years including plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuromas and joint hypermobility. As well as physical Treatment he has supplied me with various orthotics which have really helped me keep Mobile and reasonably fit. I am undergoing treatment at the moment and I fully expect that Jonathan will be as successful as he has been in the past. All the staff at Health First are Friendly and helpful.

    Pam Alexander Avatar Pam Alexander
    April 2, 2020
  • positive review  I was suffering with quite a complicated situation, both plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendon insertion and they required different treatment. Johnathon expertly explained how he was going to deal with the problem and glad to say that after an intensive course of treatment things have improved.

    Di Griffin-Bloxham Avatar Di Griffin-Bloxham
    July 8, 2019

    Excellent!!! Very professional service, great treatment and aftercare. Definitely recommend. Thanks for fitting me in at short notice too!!

    Clare Everest Avatar Clare Everest
    December 2, 2015
  • positive review  I’ve known Jonathan for quite some time as we share the same passion for feet. Experienced, knowledgeable and motivated. I have no hesitation in recommending his services to anyone in his local area.

    Faye At Medipod Clinics Avatar Faye At Medipod Clinics
    January 13, 2020

    positive review  Specialist podiatry advice from a highly skilled professional - bridging the gap between podiatry and physio.

    Jo Webb Avatar Jo Webb
    January 23, 2019
  • Couldn't be more thankful for the quick and friendly service. I needed help fast (I couldn't wait 2-3 months for nail surgery on the NHS) and Jonathan sorted me out just three days after I phoned to enquire. I felt very confident and relaxed in Health First. Thank you all!

    Amy Duffin Avatar Amy Duffin
    July 12, 2018

    Excellent service. The clinic was efficient enough that Jonathan was able to undertake toe surgery on the same day of my first appointment (just minutes after the problem was diagnosed!). The staff were very friendly and informative, and kept me very much at ease during the entire process. I was very appreciative and will be returning if I have any similar problems in the future. Highly recommended!

    Joe Miller Avatar Joe Miller
    April 9, 2018
  • positive review  Jonathan Small and his team have been excellent. A person centred, straight forward approach and really genuine team. I had been told by NHS and other podiatrists that the healing after ingrowing toe nail would take up to 12 weeks yet after the surgery at Health First Foot, it has completely healed in just over 3 weeks. Going privately was one of the best investments I've made. Thank you Health First !

    Nikki Jackson Avatar Nikki Jackson
    February 2, 2020

    I made an appointment with Jonathan at the Health First Clinic in Southam, as recommended by Vicki Cooper. It sounded like I had too many issues for Vicki to deal with. I turned up asking for help with removing verrucas that had been there for years and help with an ingrown toenail, that although had been removed and treated, had grown back. I was astounded at Jonathan’s knowledge, and it turns out I was given completely the wrong advice, and treatment, by two other Podiatrists🤬😞. He gave me all instructions and options I didn’t know about, on how to remove the Verrucas, and it turns out my ingrown toenail wasn’t ingrown at all and so was removed and treated for no reason🤦‍♀️. Note to self, DON’T trust just anyone, trust THE BEST. Thanks to Jonathan and his team at Health First, I now look very differently at my feet. 👍😊

    Sonia Hargreaves Avatar Sonia Hargreaves
    June 29, 2022
  • positive review  Absolutely great, two big toes up!

    Gary Shaw Avatar Gary Shaw
    April 9, 2020

    positive review  rapid appointment when I needed it and first class service. surgery went very well and recovery so far good with no pain. recommended without reservation. Jenny

    Jenny Wootton Avatar Jenny Wootton
    July 30, 2019