Verruca Recurrence: Why It Happens and When Surgery May Be the Right Option

Nothing is more infuriating than a verruca that seems to continually come back. Harley Street Nail Specialist Clinic sees patients on a regular basis who've been through cycles of treatment, including freezing, acids, home remedies, yet see the very same verruca show up again..

The fact is, unless the virus is eradicated completely, it tends to smoulder deep down. When that does occur, and several tries have not worked, verruca removal surgery in London might be a more comprehensive choice for treating entrenched or persistent verrucas.

Why Do Verrucas Reappear?

Verrucas are brought about by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the skin. What makes them particularly difficult is the fact that even if the outer layer is shed, the virus can still be active in the underlying tissue. That's what usually causes repeated flare-ups.

● Surface-Level Treatments Aren't Always Enough

Topical solutions such as salicylic acid or everyday filing can lower what is seen, but hardly ever go the entire depth of the infection. That residual viral content is the basis for the verruca to come back.

● Cryotherapy Has Its Limits

Freezing techniques (cryotherapy) may be useful, but how deeply they penetrate is crucial. Without local anaesthesia, the patient will feel pain, so the practitioner will not be able to penetrate to the full depth of the verruca, leaving some behind.

● Immune-Based Therapies Have Mixed Results

Certain treatments, such as needling, attempt to stimulate an immune reaction. In practice, these treatments don't always succeed and are less effective, especially with long-standing or chronic verrucas.

When Does Surgery Make Sense?

Here's the catch: verruca removal surgery in London is not the initial treatment. It's something that we typically reserve after other treatments have not been effective. However, when verrucas persist in recurring, surgery can provide a cleaner and more controlled method.

● Direct Access to the Problem

Surgical excision allows us to go in deep, right into the layers where the virus resides. Whether we cut with a scalpel or laser, the aim is to remove all of the infected tissue, not merely the surface growth.

● Anaesthetic Permits Detail

Local anaesthesia is an important component of this process. It keeps you relaxed while permitting our staff to work to a high standard, particularly for verrucas that reach 6mm or more underneath the skin.

● Higher Success in Resistant Cases

While no treatment is foolproof, surgery offers higher success rates for verrucas that haven’t responded to anything else. Laser techniques, for example, allow for pinpoint accuracy and controlled removal, but it’s worth noting that they do involve a wound and recovery time.

Our Focus: Patient-Centred, Case-by-Case Care

We don't rush to surgery here at Harley Street Nail Specialist Clinic. Each patient is evaluated according to their verruca's history, site, and response to previous treatment. If surgery is in your best interest, we'll guide you step by step through what you can expect.

Post-op care is equally significant as the procedure itself. Since the feet are subjected to constant pressure, friction, and moisture, healing is slower. That's why we give out extensive aftercare instructions to aid proper recovery and minimise the risk of complications.

The Bottom Line

Not everyone with a verruca will require surgery. But if you've tried less complicated treatments and the verruca continues to recur, this could be the solution that finally brings about change.

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Verruca removal surgery in London is a sensible last option, delivering a more thorough, directed treatment than other approaches have.

If you're prepared to discuss your possibilities, our specialists are on hand.