Wart and verruca treatment (cryotherapy / curettage)

Category: Minor Procedures, Injections & Pain Relief · All minor procedures, injections & pain relief

What it is

Warts (including verrucae on the soles) are treated with cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen freezing), curettage (scraping), acids, or minor excision. Freezing is the most common clinic treatment and works by destroying the wart tissue so the body can clear the virus.

Why it is done

Treatment is offered for painful verrucae, warts that spread or cause distress, and lesions where the diagnosis is uncertain (when a sample may be taken). Many warts resolve on their own over months to years without treatment.

How to prepare

Assessment confirms the lesion is a wart rather than something else — persistent, odd-looking or bleeding lesions are examined with a dermatoscope or biopsied. Tell the clinician about poor circulation, diabetes, pregnancy (cryotherapy precautions) and immune suppression.

What happens during the procedure

Liquid nitrogen is applied to the wart with a spray or cotton tip for a few seconds per cycle, usually repeated over one to three cycles per visit. A blister forms under the wart over the following day. For curettage, the area is numbed and the wart is scraped off, sometimes with light cautery.

Afterwards — recovery & results

Blisters and soreness settle over one to two weeks; keep the area clean and do not pick at it. Several sessions spaced a few weeks apart are often needed, as warts can be stubborn. Avoid soaking and direct pressure on treated verrucae initially.

Risks & considerations

Risks include pain, blistering, scarring, pigment change, and recurrence — warts can return if the virus persists. Cryotherapy over joints, fingers and in diabetes or poor circulation needs extra care.

Frequently asked questions

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