Verruca Needling
Verruca needling, often referred to as Falknor’s Needling, is an effective technique for treating verrucas and warts, particularly when other options have not worked. Unlike cryotherapy or topical treatments, this method typically only requires a single session to successfully remove the verruca, making it a great option for those with hectic lifestyles.
What is a Verruca Needling?
Verruca needling (also known as Falknor’s Needling) is a proven method to treat verrucas and warts, especially when other treatments have failed. Unlike cryosurgery or topical treatments, verruca needling usually requires just one session to effectively eliminate the verruca, making it an excellent choice for people with busy schedules.
This technique works by using a sterile needle to puncture the verruca, causing a small amount of bleeding that activates your body’s immune system. As a result, the immune system begins to fight the infection, breaking down the diseased tissue and healing the verruca naturally. By pushing the virus into deeper layers of the skin, verruca needlingstimulates a response from your body’s defenses, which helps to clear the infection.
Why Choose verruca Needling?
Not all verrucas are the same. Identifying the specific type is crucial for determining the most effective treatment. At the Yorkshire Foot Clinic, we specialize in diagnosing and treating both types with customized solutions that prioritize comfort and long-term recovery.
Single Treatment
One of the biggest advantages of verruca needling is that it often only requires one treatment to achieve effective results, unlike other treatments that might require multiple sessions.
Stimulates an Immune Response
This technique activates your immune system to identify and eradicate the verr virus, making it an extremely effective treatment for stubborn verrucas.
Minimal Impact on healthy skin
Verruca needling targets only the verruca, preserving surrounding skin, in contrast to other treatments that might harm healthy tissue.
Quick Recovery
Typically, after verruca needling, you can return to normal activities within a few days, experiencing only slight soreness for a couple of days following the treatment.
Treatment Steps
1. Local Anesthesia
Prior to the procedure, a local anesthetic is administered to the area surrounding the verruca, effectively numbing the treatment site to ensure your comfort throughout the process.
2. Puncturing the Verruca
Once the area is numbed, a hypodermic needle is employed to puncture the verruca several times. This action pushes the virus deeper into the skin layers, enabling your immune system to identify and target it, ultimately leading to the destruction of the infected tissue.
3. Dressing and Aftercare
Following the verruca needling, a dry dressing is placed over the treated area. It is crucial to keep this dressing dry for the first 24 hours, and you should refrain from walking or driving while the anesthesia is still in effect. Although the anesthetic typically wears off within 2 to 3 hours, it may occasionally last longer, depending on the individual. After 48 hours, you can shower and resume normal activities, though some mild soreness may persist for a few days.
What to Expect After Verruca Needling Treatment
Following verruca needling, here’s what you can expect:
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Mild Soreness: Expect moderate discomfort or soreness for the first 2 to 3 days after treatment. This is a normal part of the healing process and should fade quickly.
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No Immediate Results: Full results can take 3-6 months to appear, so don’t be concerned if you don’t see immediate changes. The verruca may start to show gradual improvement over time, with full resolution usually occurring within 4 months.
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Follow-up Treatments: In most cases, just one or two treatments of verruca needling will suffice to completely eliminate the verruca. However, depending on the severity, additional treatments may be necessary.
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Long-Term Healing: While initial results may be visible within a few weeks, complete healing may take up to 4 months, so patience is key.
Like any treatment, there’s no guarantee that a verruca won’t return, but verruca needling has a high success rate, and many patients experience full eradication after one or two treatments.
Success Rates
Recent research on Falknor’s Needling, the technique used for verruca needling, indicates promising success rates. In a study involving 46 cases, the findings were as follows:
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69% of patients (31 individuals) achieved complete resolution of their verrucas.
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3 patients reported a reduction in size and pain, indicating improvement.
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11 patients showed no improvement, which is typical for any treatment, as no method is 100% effective.
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There were no instances of post-operative infections or scarring, and any symptoms like bruising or discomfort were mild and temporary.
These results emphasize that verruca needling is a safe and effective treatment for most patients, with a high success rate and minimal side effects.
Is Verruca Needling right for you?
Before deciding on verruca needling, here are a few things to consider:
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Health Conditions: Your general health and medical history can impact the outcome of the procedure. Be sure to discuss any conditions with your podiatrist before undergoing verruca needling.
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Multiple Verrucas: If you have multiple verrucas, only the main verruca needs to be treated. The body’s immune system will respond to it, which can also help treat other verrucas present.
At Flawless Feet, we offer consultations to determine if verruca needlingis the right solution for you. Our experienced podiatrists and chiropodists in London will carefully evaluate your condition and explain the procedure in detail, ensuring you are fully informed before proceeding.