Verrucae needling

Verruca needling is a technique that is used to treat long standing and persistent verrucae. It is around 70% effective which is more effective than other first line treatments such as topical acids and cryotherapy.

What does verruca needling involve?

• A local anaesthetic is used to anaesthetise the area to be needled
• A plain hollow needle is used to puncture the largest / most painful verruca over and over again until no resistance is met
• The wound is dressed and you will be asked to return for a review in around one week
• You will then return for another review in six months to check the area

How does verruca needling work?

• A verruca results from a viral infection, necessitating reliance on the body's immune system for recognition and elimination, like other viral infections.
• The virus responsible for verrucae resides in the epidermis, while immune-fighting cells are in the dermis, where the blood supply is located.
• Needling plays a crucial role in pushing the virus into deeper tissues, facilitating recognition and destruction by the immune system.
• Needling also disrupts the infected skin cells, releasing the HPV virus, enhancing recognition by the immune system.
• Local trauma from needling triggers an inflammatory response, attracting immune system cells to the area and furthering the immune response.

Benefits of verruca needling

• Superior success rate in comparison to alternative treatments such as acids, caustics, and cryotherapy.
• Following the initial administration of local anaesthetic, the procedure becomes virtually painless.
• Typically, a one-time process, this procedure reduces the need for frequent clinic visits and minimizes time required on your behalf
• The immune response triggered by this method often results in the clearance of all verrucae, including those not directly treated.
• This treatment necessitates less self-maintenance, eliminating the requirement for regular filing and application of medications needed in other treatments.

Who is suitable for verruca needling?

Suitability for verruca needling is dependent upon a number of factors, therefore it is essential that an assessment is carried out by our podiatrists here at Manchester Podiatry beforehand, in order to ascertain individual suitability for the procedure.

Who is suitable for verruca needling?

• Salicylic acid (available at all our clinics)
• Cryotherapy (available at all our clinics)
• Manual Debridement (available at all our clinics)
• Acid Treatment (available at all our clinics)
• Verrutop (available at all our clinics)
• SWIFT Microwave Treatment for Verruca (only available at our Minshull Street clinic)
• Surgical excision (not available at our clinics)
• Wait and see - there is always chance a verruca will clear without any intervention

Please enquire with our office with regards to which practitioner is available to provide needling if you wish to have this treatment prior to booking, as not all podiatrists are qualified to perform this procedure.

If you wish to book in for an assessment, please contact office@manchesterpodiatry.co.uk or give us a call on 0161 883 0099

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