Walk with confidence again. At Harley Street Medics in London, we offer fast, effective verruca removal treatments tailored to your skin and lifestyle. Whether you’re dealing with pain, discomfort, or cosmetic concerns, our expert team is here to help – right in the heart of Harley Street.
Verrucas, also known as plantar warts, are a common type of wart that appear on the soles of the feet or around the toes. They’re caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the outer layer of skin through small cuts or abrasions. Because of the pressure from standing and walking, verrucas are often pushed inward, making them feel like a painful pebble under the foot. They may look like small, rough patches of skin with a central black dot (a clotted blood vessel), sometimes covered by a layer of hard skin.
At Harley Street Medics in London, we offer safe, effective verruca removal options to help you walk pain-free again. Whether your verruca is causing discomfort or simply won’t go away with over-the-counter treatments, our medical team can assess the best approach for fast and lasting results.
Verrucas are incredibly common, especially in busy cities like London, where exposure to communal spaces such as gyms, public showers, and swimming pools is frequent. They’re caused by the HPV virus, which thrives in warm, moist environments and is easily spread through skin contact or shared surfaces.
While anyone can get a verruca, they’re particularly frequent in teens, swimmers, and athletes—mainly because they tend to walk barefoot in shared areas where the virus may be present. Most people will experience at least one wart or verruca in their lifetime, and although many resolve on their own, persistent cases can last for months or even years without treatment.
Verrucas are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically strains that infect the skin on the feet. The virus enters through tiny breaks or cuts in the skin—often unnoticed—and thrives in warm, damp environments. Once inside, it triggers an overgrowth of skin cells, leading to the rough, painful wart known as a verruca.
Here are the main causes and risk factors associated with verrucas:
Direct Contact with HPV:
Walking barefoot in communal spaces like swimming pools, gyms, locker rooms, or showers significantly increases your risk. HPV spreads easily through skin contact with contaminated floors or surfaces.
Weakened Immune System:
People with lowered immunity—due to illness, medication, or stress—are more susceptible to developing verrucas and may find them harder to treat.
Age:
Verrucas are especially common in teenagers, whose immune systems are still developing and who often go barefoot in public areas.
Minor Skin Trauma:
Small cuts, scratches, or dry, cracked skin on the soles of the feet create entry points for the virus, making you more vulnerable to infection.
Sharing Footwear or Towels:
Though less common, HPV can be transmitted indirectly through shared socks, shoes, or towels if the virus is present.
When it comes to removing Verrucas, medical professionals use several safe and effective techniques. In the UK, common clinical removal methods include cryotherapy (freezing), Surgical excision (cutting off), and CO₂ Laser Treatment.
How It Works
Cryotherapy involves freezing the verruca using liquid nitrogen at extremely low temperatures (around –196°C). This intense cold destroys the infected skin tissue by forming ice crystals within the cells, disrupting the wart from the inside out. After treatment, the area may blister, scab, and then naturally fall off as healthy skin replaces it. The procedure takes only a few minutes and usually doesn’t require anaesthesia, although numbing cream may be used for more sensitive areas.
Benefits
Cryotherapy is quick and minimally invasive. There’s no cutting involved, so the risk of infection or scarring is low. It’s particularly effective for smaller or newer verrucas and allows for fast recovery—many patients resume their daily routine immediately after treatment. It’s also suitable for adults who prefer a non-surgical approach.
Drawbacks
The freezing can cause a brief stinging or burning sensation during and shortly after the treatment. In some cases, a blister may form, and the area can feel sore for a day or two. Multiple sessions may be needed for thicker or long-standing verrucas. There’s also a slight risk of skin discoloration at the treatment site, especially for those with darker skin tones.
How It Works
CO2 laser treatment uses a precise beam of carbon dioxide laser light to target and vaporise the verruca tissue layer by layer. The laser energy destroys the virus-infected skin while sealing blood vessels at the same time. This technique is particularly effective for deep-rooted or resistant verrucas that haven’t responded to other treatments. The procedure is usually done under local anaesthesia to ensure complete comfort.
Benefits
Laser treatment is ideal for verrucas that are painful, clustered, or located in awkward areas like the heel or ball of the foot. It offers high precision with minimal damage to surrounding tissue, which means faster healing and less scarring. The laser also sterilises the area as it treats, reducing the risk of spreading the virus further.
Drawbacks
Some post-procedure redness or swelling is expected, and the area may feel tender for a few days. Laser treatment may be more costly and is not typically suitable for small, superficial verrucas. In some cases, a follow-up session might be needed for complete removal. Patients will also need to avoid intense physical activity for a few days post-treatment.
How It Works
Surgical excision involves cutting out the verruca using a scalpel under local anaesthesia. This method ensures that the entire wart, including the root, is removed in one session. It’s commonly used when the verruca is large, deeply embedded, or painful, and has resisted other treatment options.
Benefits
Surgical removal is a fast and highly effective way to eliminate stubborn verrucas. It provides immediate results and reduces the risk of recurrence by removing the entire wart. It’s also a good option for patients who want a one-time, definitive solution, especially when comfort and long-term clearance are priorities.
Drawbacks
Because it involves an incision, there’s a higher chance of temporary soreness and a small scar after healing. The recovery period may be slightly longer than with other methods, often requiring the area to be kept dry and clean for up to two weeks. There’s also a small risk of post-procedure infection, which can be minimised with proper aftercare.
The table below provides a comparison of key treatment methods, highlighting how they work, typical pain levels, downtime, and other considerations:
| Method | How It Works | Best For | Pain Level | Recovery Time | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cryotherapy |
Freezes verruca tissue using liquid nitrogen, leading to blistering and natural shedding. |
Smaller, superficial verrucas that haven’t spread. |
Mild stinging or burning; numbing cream may be used for comfort. |
1–2 weeks; minimal downtime; possible blistering or scabbing. |
Quick, non-invasive, low risk of scarring or infection. |
May need multiple sessions; possible pigmentation changes. |
|
CO2 Laser Treatment |
Uses focused CO2 laser to vaporise verruca layer by layer with high precision. |
Stubborn, painful, or clustered verrucas in difficult areas. |
Mild discomfort; performed under local anaesthesia. |
3–7 days; faster healing, particularly in sensitive areas. |
Highly precise, ideal for deep verrucas, minimal damage to nearby skin. |
More expensive; not suitable for small verrucas; requires specialist equipment. |
|
Surgical Excision |
Physically cuts out the verruca and surrounding tissue under local anaesthesia. |
Large, deep, or treatment-resistant verrucas needing full removal. |
Moderate discomfort; local anaesthesia used, with some soreness post-procedure. |
1–2 weeks; longer recovery; requires keeping area clean and dry. |
Immediate and complete removal, high success rate, minimal recurrence. |
Scarring possible; longer downtime; strict aftercare needed to prevent infection. |
At Harley Street Medics, we combine clinical excellence with patient-first care to deliver seamless Verruca removal in London. Here’s why hundreds of patients trust us:
Receive care in a strictly regulated, medically approved environment.
Procedures are performed by trained doctors or clinical staff using best-practice protocols.
Many cases are treated same-day, with minimal discomfort and immediate results.
We assess your skin and recommend the most suitable treatment option for your unique needs.
We understand aesthetics. Our approach ensures minimal scarring, especially in visible or delicate areas.
No hidden charges. We provide complete aftercare instructions and support until you're fully healed.
| Treatments | Price |
|---|---|
| Cryotherapy | From £149 for 1st wart |
| Additional warts | From £59 |
| Laser | From £199 for 1st wart |
| Additional warts | From £99 |
| Excision | From £199 for 1st wart |
| Additional warts | From £99 |
| Specialised Laser/Wart Excision | From £299 for 1st wart |
| Additional warts | From £99 |
| Cluster Wart | From £495 |
| Warts upto 10 | £999 |
Verrucas are a type of wart that appear on the soles of the feet, often with a black dot in the centre, caused by pressure. Regular warts usually appear on hands or other areas.
Yes, verrucas are highly contagious and can spread in moist environments like pools, showers, and gym floors. Wearing flip-flops can help prevent transmission.
Not necessarily. Verrucas are caused by the HPV virus, which can be contracted even with good hygiene, especially in public wet areas.
Keep the area clean, dry, and protected. Avoid walking barefoot in communal areas and follow any aftercare instructions from your clinician to prevent recurrence.
Apply the gel only on the verruca, avoiding surrounding skin. Follow usage instructions carefully—overuse may cause irritation. Always consult a professional before home treatment.
Yes, especially when located on weight-bearing areas of the foot. They can feel like stepping on a stone and worsen with pressure.
Some small verrucas may respond to a single treatment, but larger or stubborn ones often require multiple sessions for full removal.
In some cases, the immune system clears the virus, but this can take months or years. Professional treatment speeds up removal and prevents spread.
Most treatments involve minimal discomfort. We use numbing agents when needed, and most patients tolerate the procedure very well.
The finest dermatological and aesthetic treatments tailored to your specific skin needs are our speciality at Harley Street Medics. Our clinic provides state-of-the-art procedures to help you attain the healthy, radiant skin you deserve, from sophisticated cosmetic solutions to professional skin care.
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