Warts
& Verrucas
Nearly
every child gets a wart or a verruca- a wart on the foot- at some time.
They are caused by a virus. After a number of years, the body fights them
off by developing an immunity to them.
If
you are impatient, and can’t wait for that to happen, there are a number
of treatments you can try, though there is no one treatment that works for
everybody, first time.
You
could:-
·
buy
!
an
emery board,
!
300ml.
of 3% formalin solution (if a
verruca)- beware, it’s POISONOUS.
**Lifts the glaze from
saucers- use an old aluminium foil dish from the take-away. **It’s
reusable- pour it carefully back into the bottle for tomorrow night after
soaking.
!
some
salicylic acid wart paint BPC
at
the chemist.
·
Every
night,
·
Gently
rub off the top of the wart (or verruca) with the emery board,
·
If
it’s a verruca on your foot, after rubbing off the top with the emery
board, soak the verruca for 20 minutes in the 3% formalin,
·
put
the salicylic acid paint onto the wart.
·
cover
it with a non-medicated plaster.
Repeat
this every night for at least six weeks. Six out of ten warts are cured with this.
or
·
let us
repeatedly hurt you by trying to scrape, burn or freeze it off- it may
mean several treatments, and has little more chance of a cure than above. Most people need at least
five treatments. It may scar. If you want us to try this, read the section
below on Cryosurgery, then make an appointment at Reception for a minor
op- single appointment, unless extensive. Bring
the slip at the bottom with you, duly signed. If you are under
16yr., you must attend with a
parent.
or
·
put a steak on
the wart, then bury the steak in the garden at full moon- possibly equally
effective!!
If
it’s swimming or showers that worries you, no problem, you can use
verruca slippers in the pool and showers, though they’re probably not
really necessary. In time,
your body’s own defences will fight off warts & verrucas.
CRYOSURGERY
- Freezing
Freezing
Warts and Verrucas
Cryosurgery,
or using a very cold probe, produces a ‘cold burn’ of the skin.
The idea is that this destroys the wart or verucca, which may then
form a blister (not necessarily) and lifts off.
You
may notice some slight discomfort and stinging while the wart is being
frozen- it is often worse 3 minutes afterwards.
During
the next 24 hours there MAY be some redness around the area.
Three to seven days later, the area may form a blister which may
fill up with a blood coloured fluid.
If this occurs, do not burst the blister unless it knocks itself
off and drains. Just keep it
as dry as is reasonably practical. Hopefully,
in about ten days time, the wart will lift off.
Often, the body is stimulated to fight the infection after
cryotherapy and other warts on the body can change in the next
few weeks, often for the better.
There
is only a small chance of curing a verruca or wart with each single
application, and so it may be necessary to repeat
it several times for some people.
If it has not changed in 2- 4 months, we could re-freeze the wart.
Ask the reception team to put your name down for our next freezing
session.
If
you feel discomfort tonight, you could use paracetamol.
If the foot or hand is throbbing, elevate it as high as is
reasonably practical.
If
you are concerned about the wart, please do not hesitate to come back to
the next surgery.
There
is a small chance that the area may produce a slightly paler area of scarring. Warts and verrucas tend to recur.
If
you really want us to tackle your wart or verrucca, why not print this
consent form off, sign it, and bring it with you when you make a double
appointment
We
would be grateful if you could sign the form below.
................................................................................................................................................................
I
have read the above sheet and I understand the problems associated with
freezing of warts and verrucas.
Signed
...............................................................................................
Date
...............................
For
patients aged under 16, parents should sign.
