Verruca Needling for Stubborn & Persistent Verrucae

Helping Your Immune System Clear Longstanding Verrucae

A Minor Surgical Procedure For Treatment-Resistant Verrucae

If you've tried everything and your verruca still won't go away, Verruca Needling may be the next step.

Many people have spent months or even years using over-the-counter treatments, acids, freezing products and home remedies without success. Others become frustrated that their verruca keeps returning, spreads to other areas or continues to cause discomfort when walking.

At Callen Olive, Verruca Needling offers an advanced treatment option for stubborn and treatment-resistant verrucae. Rather than simply removing the visible skin lesion, the procedure is designed to stimulate your body's own immune system to recognise and attack the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) responsible for the infection.

For carefully selected patients, it can provide an effective solution for verrucae that have failed to respond to other treatments.

At A Glance

Verruca Needling may be suitable if you have:

• Longstanding verrucae
• Painful verrucae
• Multiple verrucae
• Mosaic verrucae
• Treatment-resistant verrucae
• Previous treatment failures
• Adults and older teenagers
• Verrucae affecting walking, sport or confidence

What Is A Verruca?

A verruca is a viral skin infection caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

They most commonly develop on the soles of the feet and may appear as:

• Rough patches of skin
• Flat or raised lesions
• Painful areas when walking
• Single verrucae
• Multiple verrucae
• Mosaic verrucae
• Areas containing tiny black dots

Whilst some verrucae disappear naturally, many persist for months or even years without treatment.

Why Won't My Verruca Go Away?

Many stubborn verrucae remain because the immune system has not recognised the HPV virus hiding within the skin.

Without a strong immune response, the virus can continue to survive, allowing the verruca to persist or spread.

This is why many people become frustrated after trying:

• Verruca creams
• Acid treatments
• Freezing treatments
• Home remedies
• Over-the-counter products

Many traditional treatments focus on destroying the visible verruca rather than helping the immune system deal with the underlying viral infection.

What Is Verruca Needling?

Verruca Needling is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anaesthetic.

Once the area is completely numb, a sterile needle is used to repeatedly puncture the verruca.

This introduces viral particles deeper into the tissues where the immune system is more likely to recognise them, encouraging your body to mount a stronger immune response against the HPV virus.

The aim is for your own immune system to clear the infection naturally.

Why Is Verruca Needling Different?

Unlike many traditional verruca treatments, Verruca Needling works with your immune system rather than simply treating the skin.

The procedure aims to help your body:

• Recognise the HPV virus
• Attack the underlying infection
• Clear the treated verruca
• Help eliminate nearby satellite verrucae
• Reduce the likelihood of recurrence

Because the immune response develops gradually, improvements often continue for weeks and months after the procedure.

When Is Verruca Needling Recommended?

Verruca Needling may be particularly suitable if:

• Your verruca has been present for a long time.
• Previous treatments haven't worked.
• You have multiple verrucae.
• You have mosaic verrucae.
• You are happy to have a minor procedure under local anaesthetic.
• You don't mind a short recovery period if it's the most appropriate treatment for your type of verruca.

During your consultation, your podiatrist will advise whether Verruca Needling or SWIFT is likely to provide the best outcome.

Verruca Needling Or SWIFT?

Both treatments work by stimulating your immune system, but they're designed for different patients.

If you're unsure which treatment is right for you, don't worry.

We'll recommend the option that's most appropriate for your verruca, lifestyle and treatment goals.

What Difference Can Verruca Needling Make?

Many people simply want to stop thinking about their verruca.

Our aim is to help you:

• Walk more comfortably
• Return to sport
• Enjoy swimming and holidays again
• Feel more confident showing your feet
• Reduce the risk of spreading verrucae
• Stop repeatedly trying unsuccessful treatments
• Improve your confidence and quality of life

Our focus isn't simply removing a verruca.

It's helping you move on from it.

What Happens During Treatment?

The procedure is performed comfortably in clinic under local anaesthetic.

Once the area is numb:

• The verruca is prepared.
• The tissue is carefully needled using a sterile technique.
• A protective dressing is applied.
• You'll receive detailed aftercare advice before going home.

Treatment is usually completed during a single appointment.

Recovery After Verruca Needling

Unlike SWIFT, Verruca Needling requires a short recovery period.

Following treatment:

• Your foot will be dressed.
• The area should initially be kept clean and dry.
• Some soreness is normal once the anaesthetic wears off.
• Walking is usually possible, although activity may need to be reduced for a few days.
• Swimming and high-impact sport should be avoided until advised.
• Healing continues over the following weeks.

Your podiatrist will provide detailed aftercare instructions and support throughout your recovery.

Realistic Expectations

Verruca Needling works by stimulating your body's immune system rather than destroying the verruca immediately.

This means improvement is usually gradual.

Most patients don't notice significant changes straight away. Instead, the immune response develops over several weeks and can continue for months after treatment.

Whilst Verruca Needling has demonstrated an approximate 79% success rate, no treatment can guarantee complete clearance and individual responses vary.

Pricing

Every patient begins with a comprehensive assessment to determine whether Verruca Needling is the most appropriate treatment.

New Patient Verruca Consultation – £100

Verruca Needling Package of Care – £630

What's Included?

• Comprehensive verruca assessment
• Up to two Verruca Needling procedures
• Local anaesthetic
• Up to two review appointments
• Personalised treatment plan
• Post-procedure aftercare guidance
• Ongoing clinical support throughout your treatment journey

If you're unsure which appointment is most appropriate, our Patient Care Team will be happy to help.

Call us on 0333 305 8347.

Why Patients Choose Callen Olive

Your feet deserve more than treatment.

At Callen Olive, we believe exceptional podiatry is about far more than relieving pain.

It's about understanding how your feet affect your comfort, confidence and the way you move through life.

Every person who walks through our doors has different goals, which is why every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, lifestyle and ambitions.

Because no two people — or feet — are the same.

Expert Care. Personally Delivered.

We combine specialist clinical expertise, advanced technology and genuinely personalised care to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

From your first appointment, you'll understand what's causing your symptoms, the treatment options available and how we'll support you every step of the way.

Why Patients Trust Callen Olive

• Specialist podiatry team
• Personalised treatment plans
• Advanced technology
• Evidence-based care
• Award-winning patient experience
• Trusted by thousands of patients every year

More Than A Podiatry Appointment

Exceptional care isn't just about clinical expertise.

It's about feeling listened to, understood and supported from the moment you arrive until long after your treatment has finished.

Because that's what great care should feel like.

We Care.

It's more than our promise.

It's how we listen, how we explain, how we treat and how we support every patient who places their trust in us.

Because helping you move with comfort, confidence and ease is why Callen Olive exists.

Healthy Feet. Healthy Body. Healthy Mind.

Related Conditions

• Verrucae
• Mosaic Verrucae
• Children's Foot Health
• Hyperhidrosis

Related Treatments

• SWIFT Verruca Treatment
• Children's Podiatry
• Routine Podiatry Care

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Verruca Needling?

Verruca Needling is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anaesthetic that stimulates your immune system to recognise and attack the HPV virus causing the verruca.

Is Verruca Needling painful?

No. The area is completely numbed with local anaesthetic before the procedure begins. Some soreness afterwards is normal and usually settles over the following few days.

How many treatments will I need?

Most patients require a single Verruca Needling procedure followed by a review appointment. In some cases, a second procedure may be recommended.

What is the success rate?

Published studies and clinical experience report an approximate 79% success rate, although no treatment can guarantee complete clearance.

Is Verruca Needling better for multiple verrucae?

It can be. Verruca Needling is often particularly effective for patients with multiple verrucae, mosaic verrucae or large areas of infection because of the wider immune response it stimulates.

Can I walk after treatment?

Yes. Most people can walk after the procedure, although some temporary discomfort is normal once the anaesthetic wears off.

Is aftercare required?

Yes. Unlike SWIFT, Verruca Needling requires dressings and a short period of aftercare while the treated area heals.

Can children have Verruca Needling?

It may be appropriate for older teenagers. For younger children, SWIFT is often the preferred treatment as it doesn't require local anaesthetic or a surgical procedure.

Which is better: SWIFT or Verruca Needling?

Both are excellent treatments. SWIFT offers minimal disruption with no downtime, whilst Verruca Needling may be particularly beneficial for multiple, mosaic or longstanding verrucae. Your podiatrist will recommend the treatment that's most appropriate for you.

Take The Next Step Towards Verruca-Free Feet

If you've been living with a stubborn verruca that simply won't respond to treatment, Verruca Needling may provide the solution you've been looking for.

Book your consultation today and let our experienced clinicians help you choose the treatment that's right for you.