Due to the thick dermis on the feet, verrucae resemble warts but have a flatter appearance. Verrucae warts are caused by the HPV virus that attacks the skin on the bottom of the feet. The virus flourishes in warm and moist environments like changing rooms and swimming pools. Little puddles on the surface of pool tiles are a breeding ground for HPV.
More commonly known as verrucae, plantar warts can be incredibly painful, especially if they are large. Pain or tenderness in your foot while walking may be one of the first symptoms you notice if you have this condition.
Your skin will become circular, with a depressed area in the middle once the wart has formed. There is a possibility that the wart will be yellowed, crusted, or even have a black spot in the middle.
Plantar warts are also caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, just like the common verruca vulgaris warts (HPV). They’re more difficult to treat because of the thicker hyperkeratotic layer that forms on the bottom of the feet. This makes it more challenging to treat because the virus causing the problem is much deeper in the body.
One week before your appointment, soak the affected area daily for 5 minutes and then file or exfoliate as this helps to soften the dermis ready for treating with the Cryopen.
The “slow-freeze” technology used in commercial wart and verrucae removal products like Wartner and Bazuka allows the cells to protect themselves and destroy the lesion slowly, if at all.
With Cryopen, fast freezing (-40 degrees Celsius in 10 seconds) destroys the nucleus, removing the lesion because it hasn’t had time to defend itself. According to researchers, this helps the immune system recognize the virus, making it less likely for patients to get a verruca again.
The CryoPen is arguably the best treatment for plantar warts because of its unique temperature profile and thermodynamic freezing characteristics. In contrast, other forms of cryosurgery are either not cold enough or result in too many side effects.
Dependent on the size of the verruca, the Cryopen sprays N2O with precision onto the affected area for 45 to 60 seconds until the cells become crystallised and frozen. We then allow the treated area to thaw for a few seconds before we apply a second Cryopen treatment of the nitrous oxide which kills the cell carrying the virus.
As a precautionary measure, follow these guidelines:
Using the CryoPen, verrucas and warts can be removed quickly, effectively, and safely. Using high-pressure nitrogen oxide, it can achieve millimetre-level precision. This method can effectively treat small verrucas and warts whilst healthy skin is not harmed in the process.
Slow-growing verrucae are designed to avoid detection by the body’s immune system. Two-thirds of the time, one treatment works. The exposed lesion above the skin surface, primarily dead debris, makes it difficult to get to the active infection site. As a result, freezing the infected cells below the surface is difficult. Commonly, the lesion is debulked with over-the-counter wart treatments for a month. Next, use the CryoPen to freeze for 45-60 * seconds at a time. Permit the lesion to heal for 3 to 4 weeks, and then follow up. Re-freeze and re-check the lesion until you are confident that it is not re-growing again. However, if the condition returns, you should return as soon as possible to get the best results possible. In order to successfully treat a common wart, patient expectations and compliance are essential.
Cryosonic invites you to contact us today! We can get to know you better, understand what you hope to accomplish, and determine whether or not you are a good candidate for Cryopen treatment.