Cheshire Foot Clinic
Clinical trials prove that:
THE MOST EFFECTIVE CLINICAL TREATMENTS AVAILABLE FOR VERRUCAE ARE FALKNOR”S NEEDLING TECHNIQUE and VERRUCA MICROWAVE THERAPY. We offer both these treatments at Cheshire Foot Clinic and an assessment and discussion with one of our Podiatrists can help you decide which one is most suitable for you.
Verrucae are a very common foot problem which can affect us at any age. They are caused by a virus and can be difficult to treat. Though most don’t’ cause us any harm and are without symptoms some verrucae are painful and can last for many years. People suffering from verrucae often find them unsightly and embarrassing.
Verrucae are notoriously difficult to treat, and many people find themselves enduring multiple applications of over-the-counter creams and acids, freezing with cryotherapy and trying out ineffective DIY remedies with little or no evidence to support them.
At Cheshire Foot Clinic we use Falknor’s Needling and Verruca Microwave Therapy for patients who appear to have tried everything including visiting other experienced chiropodists / podiatrists to rid themselves of this persistent problem.
Clinical trials prove that these are the most successful ways to treat problem verruca and both treatments are delivered effectively, efficiently by our experienced Podiatrists.
If you have painful verrucae or you simply don’t like the way they look, please: Book an Appointment
If you need help please call 01565 655840 or email our team for advice with your booking.
Chat to us about your problem or download a copy of our leaflet:
Verruca: Finding Out More and Treatment Options
Here’s the science behind some of the verrucae treatments that we offer:
Verruca Needling
Verruca needling/ Falknor’s needling technique is a minor surgical procedure done under local anaesthetic. A fine needle is used to puncture the verruca lesion at the dermo epidermal junction multiple times under local anaesthesia. The aim is to implant infected cells into the dermis and stimulate an immune response to destroy the virus.
Verruca before needling procedure
2 weeks after needling procedure
Verruca 4 weeks after the needling procedure
Complete resolution.
Due to verruca needling being performed under a local anaesthetic, patients are often pleasantly surprised by the lack of discomfort and the speed of the recovery from surgery.
A case series published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine reviewed the potential for the use of a direct needling technique in the management of plantar warts in an adult population. Following treatment of 45 patients, complete resolution of warts after eight weeks was observed in 31 (69%) cases.
Verruca Microwave Therapy
Verruca Microwave Therapy is a new technology, developed in the UK, which has been licenced for the general treatment of verrucae and warts in Podiatry.
A verruca is a type of wart found on the sole of the foot and caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
They can be transmitted via direct contact but may also transmit indirectly. The virus does not affect tissues deeper than the basal layer of the epidermis.
The microwave energyis applies through a probe placed on the skin. This generates heat in the wart/verruca.
Microwaves love water and when the electric field is applied, the water molecules within the verrucae tissue try to align with the electric field causing collision between molecules which generates heat.
Most people who have stubborn warts and verrucae can benefit from this treatment.
There are some exceptions, but our Podiatrist will carry out a thorough assessment to check if any of the following apply to you before carrying out treatment.
Precautions
- “Metal pins, plates or replacement joints in the foot or ankle”
- Pacemaker
- Neuropathy or poor peripheral circulation
- Poor or limited healing capacity
- Immune suppression
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. “It is known that verrucae and warts can increase in size during this period”
- Low pain threshold
Young children – treatment on children under ten years old may not be appropriate for several reasons which one of our Podiatrists will discuss with you during your consultation.
What will the wart/verruca look like after it has been treated with and how quickly will it work?
Immediately after treatment, there will be no change to the appearance of the wart/verruca. A change should start to show after a few days.
Microwave treatment works by prompting an immune response and time is needed for the process to gather pace
That is why there is usually a gap of four weeks between treatments.
As it starts to resolve the verruca will shrink in from the edges at the same time as reducing in thickness. The dermal ridges or ‘fingerprint’ of the underlying tissue will gradually re-establish as the verruca resolves.
A follow-up visit will allow one of our Podiatrists to evaluate any changes and decide on whether you require further Microwave treatment application.
How many Verruca Microwave Therapy sessions will I need?
This depends on how you respond to treatment. Some resolve within three treatments but more may be needed particularly with large or multiple lesions.
When the HPV virus enters the skin, some people’s immune systems immediately respond by producing antibodies and killing it dead. Others don’t and a verruca forms. However, the necessary immune response can still happen at any time, and, days, weeks, months or years later, the verruca can suddenly disappear. (“Ten things you need to know about Swift verruca treatment”)Which is why your GP/podiatrist may tell you to leave it alone and it will go away in time. “Having a verruca does not mean there is anything wrong with your immune system.”
Verruca Microwave Therapy is designed to prompt that local immune response for the body to heal itself.
Verruca Microwave Therapyresults in a degree of localised tissue damage prompting a healing response part of which is antibody recruitment.
It is also thought to stimulate heat stress protein production which is known to prompt a strong healing response.
Patients who are immunosuppressed are at risk of developing multiple, resistant lesions, which are difficult to treat.
How does Verruca Microwave Therapy work?
The treatment consists of timed bursts of microwaves of 2-5 seconds.
Large and multiple sites can be treated during each appointment.
The microwaves are applied through a specialised applicator direct to the wart/verruca. One or multiple sites can be treated with a short pause between each application.
Does it hurt?
As with many treatments for skin lesions, some discomfort, even pain may be experienced during treatment. This varies from person to person but most people undergoing describe verruca microwave therapy as like a prick with a needle although some may find it more painful.
As the probe is only applied for a maximum of 5 seconds at a time any discomfort usually lasts only 1-2 seconds then quickly disappears.
In rare cases, some minor discomfort or tingling may be experienced for 24hrs before dissipating completely.
What can I do after Verruca Microwave Therapy?
One of the best things about Verrucae Microwave Therapy is there is no broken skin, also no dressings and no need to keep it dry.
Therefore, you can do anything you wish. Swim, shower, run, jump and play.
Does using Verrucae Microwave Therapy mean that the verruca won’t come back?
Once the wart/verruca has gone, it is usually gone for good.
However, even though Verrucae Microwave Therapy works by prompting an immune response and production of the appropriate antibodies communicating a degree of immunity, there can never be a guarantee that you won’t catch another at some point in the future.
Success
The success rate of these treatments is higher than any other typical methods of removal, this can save money, countless of repeat visits to your podiatrist and minimise discomfort and scarring associated with repeat surgical attempts and overuse of DIY treatments and acids.
If you have painful verrucae or you simply don’t like the way they look, please: Book an Appointment
If you need help please call 01565 655840 or email our team for advice with your booking.
Tell us about your problem by clicking on our Chatbot or download a copy of our leaflet:
Verruca: Finding Out More and Treatment Options
