Verruca Treatment Services
Are verrucae causing you discomfort, pain, or embarrassment? At Cheshire Foot Clinic, we specialise in advanced, professional treatments to help you get back on your feet—confident and pain-free. Located in the heart of Cheshire, our clinic offers cutting-edge solutions to eliminate even the most stubborn verrucae.
Book an appointment today or contact us on 01565 655840 for more information.
Clinical trials show the most effective treatments available for Verrucae are: Faulkner’s Needling Technique and Swift – Microwave Therapy
The success rate of these treatments is higher than other typical methods of removal, this can save money, countless of repeat visits and minimise discomfort and scarring associated with overuse of DIY treatments and acids.
Why Choose Cheshire Foot Clinic?
At Cheshire Foot Clinic, we take a patient-centred approach, combining expert care with the latest treatment methods. Here’s what makes our services stand out:
- Advanced treatments such as Faulkner’s Needling and Swift Microwave Therapy provide highly effective solutions for stubborn or long-standing verrucae.
- Higher success rates compared to traditional methods, such as over-the-counter remedies or cryotherapy.
- Tailored treatment plans are designed to fit your needs after a professional assessment.
- Minimised discomfort and scarring compared to DIY treatments.
- Expert post-treatment care to promote healing and prevent recurrence.
What Are Verrucae?
Verrucae, or plantar warts, are common viral infections found on the soles of the feet or around the toes. Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), they are often contracted in communal, moist environments such as swimming pools, gyms, or shared showers. While they may sometimes resolve on their own, verrucae can persist for years, causing:
- Pain when walking, standing, or exercising
- Embarrassment due to their rough and unsightly appearance
- Discomfort from hard skin or callus building up over them
If over-the-counter treatments have left you with little success or irritation, professional care from our podiatrists can help.
Our Verruca Treatment Options
Faulkner’s Needling
This innovative, minor surgical procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic to minimise discomfort. A fine needle punctures the verruca multiple times, triggering your immune system to recognise and fight the virus.
Key Benefits:
- Quick recovery with little to no pain after the procedure
- Highly effective for persistent or recurrent verrucae
- Typically requires just one treatment session
Clinical evidence supports this approach, with success rates reaching up to 69% in adult patients after eight weeks.
Swift Microwave Therapy
Swift is a pioneering UK-developed technology that uses microwave energy to treat verrucae quickly and effectively. The treatment is non-invasive, with no broken skin, dressings or downtime required.
How It Works:
- Microwave energy generates heat in the affected tissue, provoking an immune response to target the virus.
- Quick sessions lasting mere seconds.
- Suitable for multiple or large verrucae during a single visit.
On average, patients require 3 sessions spaced six weeks apart. Swift is particularly popular for its convenience—patients can resume activities such as swimming, running, or exercise straight after treatment.
Customised For All Ages:
While we primarily treat adults, Swift Therapy may also be suitable for younger patients following a consultation.
Here’s some of the science behind the verruca treatments we offer:
Verruca Needling
Verruca needling/ Faulkner’s needling technique is a minor surgical procedure done under local anaesthetic. A fine needle is used to puncture the verruca multiple times. The local anaesthetic means that you only feel the pressure from the needle and not pain. The aim is to implant infected cells deep through the skin to stimulate the body’s 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 this technique in the treatment of verruca in an adult population. Following treatment of 45 patients, complete resolution of warts after eight weeks was observed in 31 (69%) cases. Those patients treated successfully had on average had their verruca longer than 6 years.
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 them apply to you before carrying out treatment.
Whilst it is possible to treat young children with Swift therapy we do this after considering each individual case. Our Podiatrists will discuss this with you during your child’s consultation.
Swift is a microwave technology, developed in the UK, which has been licensed for the general treatment of verrucae and warts in podiatry.
The microwave energy is applied 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.
Immediately after treatment, there will be no change to the appearance of the wart/verruca.
Microwave treatment works by prompting an immune response and time is needed for the process to gather pace. Multiple applications are required and our Podiatrist will discuss this with you at your initial assessment.
That is why there may be a gap of up to 6 weeks between your treatments.
The number of Swift Microwave Therapy treatments that you need depends on how you respond to treatment.
Swift Microwave Therapy is designed to prompt a local immune response for the body to heal itself and results in a degree of localised tissue damage prompting a healing response, part of which is antibody recruitment and heat stress protein production which is known to prompt a strong healing response.
Large and multiple sites can be treated during each appointment and we can usually start your treatment at your first appointment.
As with many treatments for skin lesions, some discomfort, even pain may be experienced during treatment. Whilst this varies from person to person our Podiatrists will work with you to try to reduce the pain you experience whilst still ensuring an effective treatment.
In rare cases, minor discomfort or tingling may be experienced for 24hrs before dissipating completely.
Why Treat Verrucae Professionally?
DIY treatments are often ineffective, with some causing damage to healthy skin, painful blisters, or scarring. Professional treatment ensures:
- Precise removal targeting only the infected tissue
- Faster healing and superior comfort
- Lower risk of spreading the virus to other areas of the body or to others
If you’ve suffered with a long-standing or painful verruca, professional intervention is the most effective way to achieve lasting relief.
Your First Appointment
When you visit Cheshire Foot Clinic, our experienced podiatrists will thoroughly assess and discuss all treatment options with you. We’ll recommend the most suitable approach based on your health history, the size and location of the verruca, and how long it has been present.
Still not sure which treatment is right for you? Our team is here to answer all your questions and guide you every step of the way.
What to Expect During Treatment
Our procedures are designed with your comfort in mind. Here’s what you can expect:
- Minimal discomfort during both Faulkner’s Needling and Swift Microwave Therapy.
- A personalised treatment schedule to optimise your results.
- Expert aftercare advice to maximise healing and reduce the chance of recurrence.
Our advanced options deliver higher success rates than traditional methods, meaning fewer repeat visits and a quicker resolution to your verruca troubles.
Book Your Appointment Today
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
