Wart needling, also known simply as needling, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat stubborn and persistent verrucae or common warts. This technique involves the use of a sterile needle to puncture and disrupt the wart, stimulating the body’s immune response and promoting healing.
During the procedure, a podiatrist of Sydney’s Bio Allied Health will first numb the area around the verruca with a local anaesthetic. Then they use a fine needle to puncture the verruca multiple times, creating microscopic channels in the affected tissue.
Purposes and benefits – This process serves two main purposes:
1) It physically disrupts the wart, breaking down the viral particles and exposing them to the body’s immune system.
2) It stimulates a controlled inflammatory response, promoting the release of growth factors and immune cells that aid in the destruction of the wart.
Wart needling is particularly beneficial for stubborn warts that have not responded to other treatments, such as topical medications or cryotherapy. By directly targeting the wart and promoting the body’s natural healing mechanisms, needling offers a higher success rate compared to conservative treatments.
It is a relatively quick procedure, typically taking only a few minutes to complete, and usually requires minimal post-operative care. Some patients may experience mild discomfort or soreness following the procedure, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Recovery – After the wart needling procedure, it is important to follow our instructions for wound care and hygiene. The punctured verruca may form a small scab or blister, which should be left undisturbed to allow for proper healing.
Over the course of a few weeks, the body’s immune system will gradually eliminate the wart and repair the affected skin. In some cases, multiple needling sessions may be required to completely eradicate the wart.
If you are considering wart needling, it is important to consult with one of our podiatrists to assess your specific condition and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
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