Verrucae, commonly known as plantar warts, are warts that develop on the soles of the feet. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be painful due to their location. Cryotherapy is a commonly used method to remove verrucae by freezing the wart tissue with liquid nitrogen. Here’s a detailed overview of the cryotherapy procedure for verrucae removal:

Preparation

  1. Consultation:
    • Our clinician examines the verruca to confirm the diagnosis and determine if cryotherapy is appropriate.
    • The patient’s medical history is reviewed, including any previous treatments and relevant health conditions.
  2. Informed Consent:
    • The procedure, benefits, and potential risks are explained to the patient, who then provides informed consent.

Procedure

  1. Cleansing:
    • The area around the verruca is cleaned with an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
  2. Paring Down the Verruca:
    • In some cases, our clinician may pare down the verruca with a scalpel to remove the thickened skin and expose the core of the wart. This helps ensure the liquid nitrogen can penetrate more effectively.
  3. Application of Liquid Nitrogen:
    • Method: Liquid nitrogen can be applied using a cryoprobe or a spray device.
    • Freezing: The healthcare provider applies the liquid nitrogen directly to the verruca, freezing it to temperatures as low as -196°C (-320°F).
    • Duration: The freezing is typically done for 10-30 seconds, depending on the size and location of the verruca.
    • Thawing: The verruca is allowed to thaw for about 1-2 minutes, and the freezing cycle may be repeated for better effectiveness.

Effectiveness

  • Success Rate: Cryotherapy is generally effective for verrucae removal, though multiple sessions may be required for larger or more stubborn warts.
  • Recurrence: Verrucae can recur, as the underlying virus may remain in the skin. Additional treatments or alternative therapies may be necessary in such cases.

Cryotherapy is a widely used, effective, and relatively simple procedure for removing verrucae, with proper aftercare ensuring the best outcomes and minimizing potential complications.

Please see our Contraindications page to check if Cryotherapy could be suitable for you – Click Here

Please see our Aftercare page to ensure Cryotherapy will be suitable – Click Here

With treatments starting from £40 and your initial consultation and final check up free of charge with no obligation – for more information or to book please contact us on 01443 303003 or medicals@thearcgroup.co.uk