Post Procedure Care After Verruca Excision: Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Overview of Verruca Excision

Verruca’s are skin viruses caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). They often result from the immune system not detecting them and living on superficial parts of the skin on both hands and feet.

They can spread quite quickly in some people, while others may be immune to them. They are often spread on wet surfaces in gyms and swimming pools. Verruca excision is one of the treatments used when freezing and topical treatments have failed.

The verruca is removed layer by layer using a technique known as hyfrecation, where the tissue is burnt and layer-by-layer excision is performed.

Immediate Aftercare: First 24 to 48 Hours

After verruca removal surgery you should maintain the large dressing that has been applied. This allows the wound to be kept clean and permits oozing of blood, tissue, and serous fluid. You should try to minimise walking, although you can weight bear fully. Limit walking to 10 to 15 minutes an hour.

After 48 Hours

After 48 hours, you should remove the dressing and bathe in salt water daily. You will notice that the wounds will weep every day and start to crust over in 7 to 10 days typically, with less weeping day by day.

Aftercare Tips

The daily salt water bathing will allow the drawing out of any fluid and help them to dry quickly. You should try to maintain a clean dressing on them daily. You can shower but should apply a small dressing on each of the areas until the wounds are dry.

You should avoid picking or scratching the area.

You will see your podiatrist 7 to 10 days or sometimes up to three weeks post-operatively, where they will debride the hard crusty skin off the area to allow it to heal further.

You may need to wear comfortable shoes which have high cushioning.

In some cases, when the balls of your foot are tender because the wounds are healing, you may use a slightly larger dressing with more cushioning.

The main thing to watch out for is signs of infection, lots of inflammation (which can also be a result of infection), or if there’s a lot of discharge and the pain does not settle. In those cases, you may need antibiotic treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long does it take to heal after wound excision?

A. Typically, two to three weeks. In some deeper excisions, it could take four weeks. More minor excisions can heal in about one week’s time.

Q. Can I walk immediately after the procedure?

A. Yes, you can walk immediately, although there might be slight tenderness for a few weeks if the areas are on a weight-bearing surface.

Q. What should I do to reduce swelling and pain after the procedure?

A. There should not be much swelling, but the pain can be helped by using paracetamol for two to three days.

Q. How should I care for the wound after a verruca excision?

A. Care for the wound typically involves very simple treatment with no antibiotics. You will be using salt water bathing daily and retaining your steroid dressing.

Q. Is it normal to experience itching during the healing process?

A. Once the crust dries, some people do experience some itching, but this should not last more than a day or two.