What are warts?
Warts are small, rough, viral growths on the skin. They are very common and are usually spread by direct skin-to-skin contact or indirectly through shared contact with contaminated surfaces (e.g. swimming pool changing room floors). They spread virally and can be unsightly, with a cauliflower like appearance.
They are typically found under the feet, on the hands and fingers, can be spread by shaving or appear at sites of trauma/injury. Warts are contagious but the risk of transmission is low.
They can be treated by paring down, laser therapy, duct tape or solutions containing salicylic acid which can be prescribed by your GP or purchased over the counter.
The appearance of warts peaks in the teenage years and subsides thereafter. Studies have shown that between 5% and 30% of children and young adults have warts. Warts in younger children will appear and disappear within 1-2 year; however warts in adults may persist for up to 10 years.
How the clinic can help
Only adults over the age of 18 can be treated at the clinic. The face and intimate areas are not treated.
Freezing (cryotherapy) is the preferred method of reduction at this clinic.
Warts can be stubborn, often taking multiple treatments. Where necessary there must be a 4-6 week period between treatments where necessary.
This is not a sensation free treatment and some discomfort will be experienced. Pain threshold vary from client to client and area to area. Local anaesthetic cream can be applied 20 minutes before the treatment.
Important to know
The treatment does not get rid of the virus that causes warts, so the wart may return.
This treatment should be considered to be wart reduction rather than removal. It may not be possible to entirely remove the wart at the first appointment. It is important to be aware that multiple treatments may be needed. It is impossible to predict who this will apply to unfortunately.
Freezing treatment - Hydrozid
This clinic uses Hydrozid, which is a combination of traditional cryotherapy and cryosurgery with modern aerosol technology.
It contains the same propellant used in several asthma inhalers (norflurane).
The design of the spray head and tube’s material makes it easier to target the tissue to be treated so mitigating the risk of damaging the surrounding healthy skin. The tip has a conical inner shape that also prevents condensation and dripping during treatment.
Video of part of a treatment
There are multiple cycles of freezing and thawing
Diathermy (electrolysis) treatment
The alternative method of treating is diathermy/electrolysis which involves putting heat through a small needle into the wart.
The following are reasons which will prevent diathermy treatments
- Cochlear implants (written evidence from manufacturer)
- Haemophilia
- Keloid scarring
- Pacemakers (written evidence from manufacturer)
The following are potential contra-indicatons which restrict diathermy treatments (some will not apply to verrucar):
- AIDS/HIV
- Asthma
- Bacterial infections
- Blood thinning medication (e.g. warfarin or aspirin)
- Cancer
- Circulatory disorders
- Dermabrasion (wait a minimum of 1 month)
- Dermographic skin conditionsDiabetes
- Dysmorphia (Body dysmorphic disorder or BDD)
- Emphysema
- Epilepsy
- Fitzpatrick skin types IV, V, VI
- Heart conditions/circulatory disorders
- Hepatitis
- High blood pressure
- Laser treatment (wait a minimum of 2 weeks)
- Minor (under 16) withou insurance/parental approval
- Nervous client
- Phlebitis/thrombosis (if in area to be treated)
- Recent scar tissue (if in area to be treated)
- Rosacea (if in area to be treated)
- Skin diseases and disorders
- Sunburned skin (if in area to be treated)
- Swelling/oedema