Verruca
Safe, Professional Verruca Removal Using Advanced Electrolysis
If every step feels like you’re walking on a small stone in your shoe, a verruca could be the cause.
Verrucas are one of the most stubborn skin conditions we treat at Jems Health & Beauty. They can become painful, frustrating and often remain for months or even years despite repeated attempts with over-the-counter treatments.
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Many of our clients come to us after trying acids, freeze sprays and countless home remedies without success.
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At Jems Health & Beauty in Whitefield, Manchester, we provide professional verruca removal using Advanced Electrolysis. Every treatment begins with a thorough consultation to confirm the diagnosis, explain how the treatment works and discuss whether Advanced Electrolysis is the right treatment for you.
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Whether you’re visiting us from Whitefield, Bury, Prestwich, Bolton, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire or elsewhere across Greater Manchester, you’ll receive honest advice, realistic expectations and a personalised treatment plan.
What Is a Verruca?
A verruca is a wart that develops on the sole of the foot. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the outer layer of the skin.
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Because verrucas develop on weight-bearing areas, the pressure of walking often pushes them deeper into the skin, making them uncomfortable or painful.
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Unlike corns, verrucas are contagious and can spread to other areas of your feet or to other people.
What Causes Verrucas?
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Verrucas develop when HPV enters the skin through tiny breaks or cracks.
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You may be more likely to develop a verruca if:
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You walk barefoot in communal changing rooms or around swimming pools.
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You have small cuts or abrasions on your feet.
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Your immune system hasn’t recognised the virus.
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You’ve had verrucas before.
Not everyone exposed to HPV develops a verruca, as every immune system responds differently.
Verruca or Corn?
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Many people confuse a verruca with a corn.
Verruca​
Caused by HPV (a virus)
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Contagious
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Often has tiny black dots​​
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Interrupts the natural skin lines
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May spread
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Can be treated with Advanced Electrolysis
Corn
Caused by pressure and friction​
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Not contagious
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Usually no black dots
Skin lines usually continue through the lesion​​​
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Will not spread
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We would usually recommend seeing a podiatrist or chiropodist
If you’re unsure which you have, we’ll be happy to assess it during your consultation.
Why Won’t My Verruca Go Away?
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One of the reasons verrucas can remain for months or even years is because the HPV virus hides within the upper layers of the skin, making it difficult for your immune system to recognise it.
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Advanced Electrolysis destroys the infected tissue while also creating a local healing response. This may encourage your immune system to recognise the virus and begin clearing it.
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Occasionally, clients even notice that untreated verrucas elsewhere on the foot begin to disappear as their immune system responds.
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Why Haven’t Chemist Treatments Worked?
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This is something we hear regularly. Most over-the-counter treatments work by removing the surface layers of hard skin.
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The problem is that verrucas on the soles of the feet often sit beneath thick callused skin, making it difficult for creams, acids and freeze treatments to reach the infected tissue effectively.
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Advanced Electrolysis works differently by treating the affected tissue directly rather than simply removing the skin above it.
How Does Advanced Electrolysis Treat a Verruca?
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A very fine sterile probe is inserted into the verruca and a carefully controlled electrical current is applied to destroy the infected tissue.
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Unlike many home treatments, Advanced Electrolysis treats the verruca from within rather than simply working on the surface.
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Every verruca is different, so we’ll explain exactly what to expect during your consultation.
What Happens During My Consultation?​​
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We’ll carefully examine your foot to confirm that the lesion is a verruca and not another condition, such as a corn.
We’ll explain:
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How the treatment works.
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What results you can realistically expect.
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How many treatments you may need.
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Healing and aftercare.
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Any possible risks or side effects.
You’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.
Does Verruca Treatment Hurt?
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I’ll always be honest with my clients, this is probably one of the more uncomfortable Advanced Electrolysis treatments we offer.
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The skin on the sole of the foot is thicker and contains lots of nerve endings, so most clients describe the sensation as a brief burst of heat or a sharp stinging pinch.
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The good news is that each application lasts only a second or two. Then just one longer one.
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If you’re feeling anxious or you’re having several verrucas treated, we can discuss using a topical numbing cream beforehand to make treatment much more comfortable.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
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Every verruca responds differently. Some clients only require one treatment, while others need additional sessions.
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The treatment destroys the infected tissue, but your immune system also needs time to recognise and clear the virus.
Patience is often the key to successful treatment.
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Will My Verruca Come Back?
Once a verruca has been successfully destroyed, that particular lesion is unlikely to return.
However, because verrucas are caused by HPV, it is still possible to develop a new verruca in the future if you become infected again.
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What Will It Look Like Afterwards?
The treated area will gradually dry and form a protective crust. This is completely normal and forms part of the healing process. The crust should be allowed to fall away naturally.
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We’ll explain exactly what to expect before you leave the clinic.
Are Verrucas Contagious?
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Yes. Verrucas are caused by HPV and can spread through direct skin contact or contaminated wet surfaces.
To reduce the risk of spreading the virus:
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Avoid sharing towels, socks or footwear.
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Don’t pick the verruca.
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Wear flip-flops in communal changing rooms and around swimming pools.
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Keep the area covered where appropriate.
Aftercare Recommendations​​
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Following your treatment we recommend:
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Keeping the area clean and dry for the first 24–48 hours.
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Keeping the area covered if advised.
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Avoiding picking or scratching the treated area.
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Avoiding long walks, running and high-impact exercise until the area has settled.
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Wearing comfortable footwear while it heals.
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Following all aftercare advice provided during your appointment.
Reducing pressure on the foot during the early stages of healing helps minimise irritation and gives the area the best opportunity to recover.
Can Children Have Verruca Treatment?
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Children are very welcome to attend for a consultation so we can assess the verruca and discuss the available treatment options.
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Advanced Electrolysis can be uncomfortable, particularly on the sole of the foot, so it isn’t always the most appropriate choice for younger children.
Whether treatment is suitable depends on your child’s age, the size and location of the verruca and, most importantly, how well they are likely to tolerate the procedure.
If we don’t feel this is the right treatment, we’ll always explain why and discuss alternative options.
Common Myths about Cherry Angiomas​​​
Myth:
Verrucas have roots.
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Fact:
Verrucas don’t have roots. They grow within the upper layers of the skin.
Myth:
The black dots are dirt or roots.
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Fact:
The tiny black dots are small blood vessels that have clotted. They are one of the features that help us identify a verruca.
Myth:
If I keep cutting or picking it, it will disappear.​
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Fact:
Picking and cutting often irritates the skin and may spread the virus.
Myth:
Swimming pools cause verrucas.
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Fact:
The virus causes verrucas. Wet communal floors simply make it easier for the virus to spread.
Why Choose Jems Health & Beauty?​​
​​​​Every skin lesion deserves careful assessment before treatment.
When you choose Jems you’ll receive:
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A professional consultation.
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Honest advice.
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Advanced Electrolysis performed with precision.
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Personalised aftercare advice.
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Treatment in an experienced, inclusive clinic established in 2008.
If we’re ever unsure about a lesion, we may recommend our Map My Mole service or advise you to see your GP before any cosmetic treatment is considered.
Questions Clients Ask Every Day​​
Can I Go Swimming?
We recommend keeping the area dry for the first 24–48 hours. Once a firm protective crust has formed, swimming is usually fine provided the area is covered with a waterproof plaster or verruca sock until healing is complete. This also helps reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.
Can I Exercise?
Light day-to-day activities are usually fine. However, we recommend avoiding running, long walks and high-impact exercise until the treated area has settled, as repeated pressure may slow the healing process.
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Why do verrucas have black dots?
The black dots are tiny blood vessels that have clotted. They are not dirt or roots and are one of the classic signs of a verruca.
Can I catch a verruca from someone else?
Yes. Verrucas are contagious and can spread through direct skin contact or contaminated wet surfaces.
Can I drive afterwards?
Yes. However, if the verruca is on a weight-bearing area, your foot may feel tender afterwards, so make sure you’re comfortable before driving.
Should I wait for it to disappear naturally?
Some verrucas resolve on their own, but many remain for months or even years. Early professional advice may help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Jodie’s Advice​​
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“One of the biggest mistakes I see is people spending months picking, cutting and trying different treatments on their verruca before asking for professional advice. My advice is always to have it assessed early. The sooner we start treatment, the sooner we can begin encouraging your body’s healing response and reduce the risk of it spreading to other areas of your feet or to members of your household.
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People often ask me, ‘When will it be gone?’ The honest answer is that every immune system is different. I can treat two clients with exactly the same type of verruca and one person’s body clears the virus within weeks while another takes several months. Patience really is the key.”
Still Not Sure?​​
Not sure whether you have a verruca, a corn or another type of skin lesion?
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Don’t worry.
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We’ll examine the area during your consultation, explain exactly what it is and advise you on the most appropriate treatment. If we don’t believe Advanced Electrolysis is the right option for you, we’ll always tell you honestly and recommend the most suitable alternative.
Ready to Remove Your Verruca?
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If you’d like professional advice about verruca removal, we’d be delighted to help.
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Book a consultation with Jems Health & Beauty in Whitefield, Manchester, where we’ll assess your skin, answer your questions and recommend the safest and most appropriate treatment for you.
