Specialist services

Verrucae or warts are viruses that are found on the skin. They are often small, pain-free and go away quite easily within 6 months to a year, particularly in children.

However in some cases they start to spread or multiply, become painful and can cause embarrassment. This is when to seek professional help. There is no quick fix with verrucae. A course of treatment is always required. The cure of a verruca using ANY type of treatment cannot be guaranteed.

Children

We do not usually advise professional intervention with children except in very painful, spreading verrucae. The best advice is to use an over the counter preparation (follow the instructions on the packet) and be very consistent and diligent with your treatment. Don’t forget that most verrucae in children will go away by themselves. We are very happy to meet your child and confirm diagnosis, give an assessment and advise the best way to treat your child’s verruca, please remember though that the best advice may be to do nothing.

Adults

We use the SWIFT ( www.treatverruca.com)  microwave system to treat verrucae in adults. In exceptional cases (which are assessed on an individual basis) we have successfully used SWIFT on children aged 12 and above. This is in exceptional situations and your child must be mature for their age.

The main points about the process are:

1. Microwave energy is applied to the skin via a probe to the affected area.

2. The microwave energy causes a local thermal reaction which in turn stimulates your bodies’ immune system.

3. The treatment is clean, fast and safe.

4. Local anaesthetic is not required.

5. You will be offered an initial course of up to three treatments which will be spaced 4 weeks apart. The cost of the initial course of three treatments is £315.00

6. The initial course of treatment will be followed by a review at 8 or 12 weeks, this will be charged accordingly. If you are discharged because the verruca has resolved there will be no charge. If further treatment with SWIFT is required, a fee of £97 per treatment is applicable, treatment with another regime will be charged at the normal follow up appointment fee of £51.

7. The treatment can be painful depending on your own personal tolerance to pain. Some people describe it as similar to a bee sting, it lasts for a few seconds only (short and sharp).

8. After treatment no dressings are required. Normal activity can be resumed immediately.

9. A few days after treatment your verruca may change colour, go dark and look like a bruise. In the long-term there should be no scarring or marking of the skin.

10. You may not be eligible for SWIFT treatment if: –

• You have metal in your foot or ankle.
• You wear a pacemaker.
• You have poor or limited healing capacity because of neuropathy or poor peripheral circulation.
• You are immuno-suppressed.
• You are pregnant.
• You are a very young child.
• You have a very low pain threshold.

11. Further information can be found at www.treatverruca.com
12. The cure of a verruca using ANY type of treatment cannot be guaranteed.