Verrucae

Verruca treatments by Ferguson and Knowles Podiatrists

What is a verruca?

Verrucae and warts are growths in the skin caused by a virus known as the Human Papilloma Virus. The virus is usually picked up in areas where people walk barefoot. They can occur on any area of the skin but the most common places are the hands and feet. Verrucae and warts can appear at any age but are most commonly seen in children of school age and young adults. Warts can naturally disappear within two years of their appearance but a proportion of these will persist for longer, particularly in adults, causing distress, discomfort and pain.

How we can treat your verruca

At Ferguson and Knowles Podiatrists we offer a variety of treatments for your verruca ranging from caustics, cryosurgery (liquid nitrogen) to the latest mode of treatment– Swift Microwave Therapy. This offers the most effective, convenient and relatively pain free method of treating verrucae and warts.

FAQS

What is SWIFT? ®

Swift is a new technology, developed in the UK, which has been licenced for the treatment of skin lesions and warts/verrucae. Swift is a device which uses microwave energy which is delivered into the skin through a special probe applied to the skin to destroy the affected tissue.

Does it hurt?

Like some treatments for warts, some minor discomfort may be experienced. Before treatment your podiatrist may decide to reduce the wart with a blade. This is generally painless, although when treated in this way, warts will naturally bleed.

Pain levels very from person to person but most people undergoing Swift liken it to a pain similar to an injection or a scratch, lasting two to three seconds then quickly subsiding. In some cases, the treated are may feel sore for a few hours but not normally enough to prevent you undertaking normal daily activities.

What happens after treatment?

The treatment takes a few seconds but you do not need to take any particular precautions after treatment. Warts may darken, develop a small blood blister or have more dark spots appear after the treatment (this can happen up to two weeks after).

How many treatments will I need?

This is dependent on how your verruca or wart responds to treatment. In most cases, you may need more than one treatment (normally about 4 weeks apart). If after three treatments your wart remains, you may be advised to discontinue treatment or switch to an alternative treatment. Your podiatrist will be able to discuss this with you.

Do you treat warts on other parts of the body?

We treat warts on the foot (also known as verrucae) and on the hands.

Will it get rid of my wart?

Warts, especially on the foot, are notoriously difficult to get rid of in adults and may require a few attempts at a treatment before abandoning it. No treatment can be guaranteed 100% successful and it cannot be guaranteed that Swift (or any other treatment) will work for every patient. Of course, the treatment may reduce the lesion size or the level of pain you were feeling.

Can anyone receive this treatment?

With a few exceptions, most people are suitable for treatment with Swift Microwave Therapy. If you are considering treatment with Swift, it will be necessary for the podiatrist to carry out an assessment in order to advise you if you are suitable for the treatment. It is not recommended for young children.

I am interested – what do I do next?

If you would like to discuss this further, please call Ferguson and Knowles Podiatrists to arrange an appointment. We will be able to assess your feet and advise you if you are suitable for treatment as well as suggesting which treatment plan is best for you. This will also give you any opportunities to ask questions about the treatment. Of course, you are under no obligation to have the treatment and your podiatrist can advise you on other treatments if Swift is not for you.

For further information please visit: www.treatverruca.com

To learn more or to get a price for our verruca treatments, contact Ferguson and Knowles Podiatrists in York on

01904 629128

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