Verruca Needling

Verruca needling is an effective form of treatment used for persistent verrucas which have not responded to other forms of treatment.

What is Verruca Needling?

Verruca Needling is a treatment which uses a sterile needle to produce localised trauma at the site of a stubborn, recurring verrucae. The treatment which is performed by a podiatrist under local anaesthetic is an alternative to other treatments such as cryotherapy which work by creating a chemical breakdown of local tissues.

Although verruca needling is one of the more effective treatment methods (a recent randomised controlled trial stated it was 69% effective). As with any verruca treatment intervention, it is not 100% guaranteed to clear the verruca.

What podiatry related conditions is verruca needling used for?

Verruca Needling is mainly used in podiatry for the treatment of long-standing verruca, however it can also be used to help manage some musculoskeletal conditions.

What does the verruca needling procedure involve?

The following procedure will be followed during verruca needling treatment; treatment;

• The site is completely numbed prior to verruca needling using injections of local anaesthetic.
• Once the area is numb, a sterile needle is used to repeatedly perforate the lesion, pushing the infected cells into a deeper layer of the skin
• A dry dressing is applied at the site once the procedure is complete
• Follow up appointments with the podiatrist will be made to check the remaining scab and provide any advice which may be required

How does verruca needling work?

Verruca Needling works by causing what is known as a cell-mediated immune response at the affected area

Verruca are formed as a result of the Human Papilloma Virus which infects the epidermis of the skin and therefore does not stimulate a systemic response from the body. The needling treatment pushes the viral cells into the dermal layer of the skin, aiming to trigger an immune response which targets the verrucae directly. The antibodies that are produced as a result of this mean that the lesion than begins to deteriorate and regress before eventually disappearing.

Following the procedure, it can still take up to 6 months for the verruca to clear, as this is how long the immune reaction can take to be triggered. If the verruca has not cleared at this follow up, a second needling procedure can be performed.

What are the benefits of verruca needling?

The following are some of the advantages of receiving verruca needling treatment;

• As it is carried out under local anaesthetic, verruca needling is a painless procedure once the area is anaesthetised.
• It allows for the remission of any long-standing verruca's
• Patients can carry out previously restricted activities such as swimming
• The procedure can be carried out in clinic and does not require hospital admission
• Prevents the spread of the virus to other

Similar treatments / services that could help?

Verruca Needling is most commonly used as a treatment for verruca when other forms of treatment have failed. The following are some other verrucae treatments available;

Please enquire with our office team for more information and to ensure we have a podiatrist available which is able to provide this particular procedure

• Salicylic acid (available at all our clinics)
• Cryotherapy (available at all our clinics)
• SWIFT Microwave Treatment for Verruca (only available at our Minshull Street clinic)
• Verrutop (available at all our clinics)
• Debridement (available at all our clinics)
• Occlusion
• Surgical removal (with a surgeon)

Arrange an appointment today by e-mailing office@chiropody.co.uk or call 0330 088 4222

IF YOU WISH TO BOOK IN FOR A VERRUCA NEEDLING ASSESSMENT, PLEASE ENQUIRE FIRST AS ONLY CERTAIN RELEVENTLY QUALIFIED PODIATRISTS ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS PROCEDURE

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