Wart Removal Brisbane and Cryotherapy Brisbane
At Mint Foot Care, we diagnose plantar warts by performing a physical examination. Based on past history and treatment of warts, lifestyle, health, quantity and size of warts, a treatment plan, of either chemical cautery, multiple punctate therapy, or cryotherapy in Brisbane, will be prescribed.
We are able to offer the following treatment options and based on the findings a combination of wart removal Brisbane treatment options may be prescribed, including ingrown plantar wart removal or wart on knee removal. The plantar wart removal cost will also depend on the prescribed treatment options.
Chemical Cautery
Chemical cautery removes warts by using specific chemicals in conjunction with debridement in an effort to break down the wart tissue. The use of chemicals cause chemical burns to the skin in order for the wart to die. The chemicals Mint Foot Care has available are potassium hydroxide, salicylic acid and silver nitrate solutions. The wart is treated first by having the overlying callus debrided followed by application of the chemical agent. The wart is then dressed with an occlusive dressing and deflective padding. We usually require the patient to return in 7 days for debridement of the wart followed by application of the chemical agent. Single warts typically require between 6 to 8 treatments and multiple, persistent warts may take longer to remove.
Cryotherapy Brisbane
Cryotherapy for warts involves freezing a wart using a very cold substance. We use liquid nitrogen which rapidly freezes the tissues to -196 degrees.
The wart will be first debrided of overlying callus before applying the liquid nitrogen. The total liquid nitrogen application usually takes less than a minute. Cryotherapy can be uncomfortable but usually does not require a local anaesthetic.
Pain following cryotherapy can last up to 3 days. Healing is generally quick (7 to 14 days) with little or no scarring.
Most warts require 2 to 3 treatments, with 2 weeks between each treatment. Please feel free to reach out to us regarding any enquiry about our Cryotherapy Brisbane services.
Multiple Punctate Therapy
This technique initiates an immune response. This wart removal Brisbane treatment involves an injection of a local anaesthetic and then once ‘numb’, a syringe needle is used to puncture the wart 100-200 times. This pushes the virus particles into the body inoculating the host to produce an immune reaction. Whilst the injection is a little unpleasant the needling is pain-free. The surrounding skin will sometimes become red, swollen and be sore for a few days or so. It is similar to a mild burn. Occasionally a blister may form. This therapy involves usually only one treatment session and a follow up 2 weeks later. The good news is that if you have multiple warts, we only need to needle the primary “mother” wart not all of them.
Surgical Removal
When all conservative treatment options have failed we can perform a wart curettage. The foot wart surgery or plantar wart surgery is performed in our clinic in a sterile environment without hospitalisation. Warts only grow in the epidermis layer of skin. Therefore, the curettage procedure involves an incision into the epidermis to the level where it meets the dermis. It is cut out with an instrument called a curette which scoops underneath the wart to capture all remains of the wart tissue.
This wart removal procedure is performed under a local anaesthetic usually a tibial nerve block to numb the sole of the foot. Another injection of local anaesthetic combined with adrenaline is injected surrounding the wart which helps reduce bleeding and improve post-surgical analgesia. Once the wart is curetted, phenol is applied to burn any remaining wart and to cauterise blood vessels to stop bleeding. A thick compression bandage is applied to the skin and a post-operative shoe is supplied. No stitches are required.
When all conservative treatment options have failed we can perform a wart curettage. The foot wart surgery or plantar wart surgery is performed in our clinic in a sterile environment without hospitalisation. Warts only grow in the epidermis layer of skin. Therefore, the curettage procedure involves an incision into the epidermis to the level where it meets the dermis. It is cut out with an instrument called a curette which scoops underneath the wart to capture all remains of the wart tissue.
This wart removal procedure is performed under a local anaesthetic usually a tibial nerve block to numb the sole of the foot. Another injection of local anaesthetic combined with adrenaline is injected surrounding the wart which helps reduce bleeding and improve post-surgical analgesia. Once the wart is curetted, phenol is applied to burn any remaining wart and to cauterise blood vessels to stop bleeding. A thick compression bandage is applied to the skin and a post-operative shoe is supplied. No stitches are required.
After the procedure you will be able to walk immediately,although you will be advised and expected to rest for 72 hours following the procedure to reduce the incidence and risk of bleeding.
A review is required 3 days after surgery. Healing takes up to 4-6 weeks.
Common Adverse Effects of Wart Removal Surgery
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scar tissue
- Recurrence of verruca
After Care
- We recommend having a responsible adult drive you home after the injection
- A sterile dressing will be applied to the wound. It will be required to be changed by the podiatrist in 3 days following the surgery.
- Time off work will be required for 72 hours. A surgical shoe must be worn for 72 hours.
- Reduce weightbearing and rest 72 hours. Avoid strenuous activity during this time frame. Keep walking to a minimum.
- Pain medication such as panadeine forte can be prescribed.
- Dressings will be supplied. The wound will be required to be dressing for a minimum of 2 weeks.
- Healing usually occurs 2 to 4 weeks after the surgery and during this time restricted activities, including time off work may be required depending on the location of the verruca.
