Assessment
A full history and a thorough examination of the skin, nails, circulation and, where relevant, your gait. You leave with a working diagnosis you understand and a plan agreed with you, not handed to you.
Verruca Care
Verruca Treatment
Verruca (plantar wart) treatment in Canary Wharf, London from our HCPC-registered podiatrists, home to our London Verruca Clinic, where we confirm the diagnosis first, then match the right option to your verruca: Swift microwave therapy, cryotherapy, needling, Verrutop or medicated acids, across both London clinics.
The short answer
What this treatment is
A verruca is a plantar wart caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV): a rough lesion on the sole, sometimes flecked with tiny black dots. Many clear on their own, so treatment is a choice, not a necessity. We confirm the diagnosis, then talk you through Swift, needling, cryotherapy and topical options.
What does a podiatrist do at your first appointment?
Your initial consultation covers a full history and a thorough examination of the skin, nails, circulation and, where relevant, the way you walk. We explain what we find in plain English and agree a working diagnosis with you.
Where it is safe to do so, treatment starts the same day, and you leave understanding the plan and the options in front of you.
Verruca treatment can help with:
A single, stubborn verruca
A young solitary verruca often responds to cryotherapy or a combination of salicylic acid and silver nitrate. A more established one can need a stronger approach, and we will tell you plainly which is realistic for yours.
Clustered or mosaic verrucae
Verrucae grouped together can be harder to shift than a single lesion. Combination treatments such as Verrutop or needling are often a better fit here than one acid on its own.
Recalcitrant verrucae that resist treatment
Verrucae that have resisted previous treatments may respond to Swift microwave therapy or needling, which work by prompting your own immune system to recognise and attack the virus.
A painful verruca on a weight-bearing area
When a verruca hurts to stand or walk on, gentle debridement of the hard skin over it eases the pressure and helps any treatment reach the lesion underneath.
Deciding whether to treat at all
Many verrucae clear on their own, given time. If yours is not painful or spreading, watchful waiting is a legitimate choice, and we will say so rather than sell you a course of treatment.
Christine is the feet whisperer, she is marvellous! I should have gone to her before I actually did. If you have any issues with your feet, do not hesitate — book an appointment to see her. Highly recommended!
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Had been in pain for many weeks. As soon as I went to Canary Wharf Podiatry I was taken care of excellently and sorted out, by the kindest staff. This was my best ever medical experience. Thank you so much!
Read on Google
Had a great experience with Hinson the podiatrist — extremely patient and thorough in explaining the different treatment options. I really appreciated how professional and reassuring he was throughout the appointment.
Read on Google
Christine was very gentle and took the time to answer all of our questions. She explained everything clearly and educated us with so much patience. We will definitely be coming back.
Read on Google
Verruca treatment fees and insurance
You can self-refer and book online, with no GP referral needed. Many patients claim treatment back through private health insurance: cover varies by policy, and some insurers ask for a GP or consultant referral first, so please check your plan before booking.
- Self-referral: book directly online, no GP letter needed
- Detailed invoices and procedure information provided for insurance claims
- Claimable with insurers such as WPA, Aviva and Vitality, subject to your policy
- One transparent price list across both London clinics
Your journey
with us
Everything starts with an accurate diagnosis. We find what is really causing the problem, treat it, and help you keep it from coming back, so you can stand, walk and train on comfortable feet.
Treatment
The care your foot problem actually needs, from painless skin and nail work to nail surgery under local anaesthetic, using sterile technique. Where a procedure carries real risk, we talk you through it and take consent first.
Advanced care
Where it helps, we draw on on-site MRI and X-ray, custom orthotics made in our own lab, and treatments such as laser and shockwave, so the right tool is matched to the right problem rather than a one-size-fits-all fix.
Maintenance
We address the underlying cause, footwear, pressure or load, so the problem is less likely to return, and offer routine reviews and medical pedicures so your feet are looked after before there is a problem, not only once there is one.
"I wish I had known about you sooner." We hear it constantly. Feet are easy to ignore until they hurt, so we treat podiatry the way a dentist treats teeth: a regular check and a little maintenance keeps small problems from becoming big ones.
- Two London clinics: Canary Wharf, inside LycaHealth at 1 Westferry Circus, and City Dock in Wapping.
- Rated 5.0 on Google, with an HCPC-registered team and evidence-based care led by an Oxford-trained Clinical Director.
- Founded in 2021 and grown almost entirely by word of mouth across two London clinics.
What our podiatrists and chiropodists treat
- Nail surgery for painful, recurrent ingrown toenails
- Skin and nail conditions: verrucae, corns, callus and fungal nails
- Evidence-based fungal nail treatment, including laser
- Biomechanics and custom orthotics made in our own lab
- Musculoskeletal and heel pain, with shockwave therapy
- On-site MRI and X-ray for same-day diagnosis
- Medical pedicures and routine foot-care maintenance
- Prescribing podiatrists: medication started promptly when it is needed
2 Locations
Verruca treatment across our two London clinics
- Canary Wharf 1 Westferry Circus, London E14 4HD View location →
- City Dock 142 Vaughan Way, London E1W 2AF View location →
Written and medically reviewed byChristine Yau, Lead Podiatrist & Clinical Director · HCPC-registered · MSc (Oxon) · Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); Royal College of Podiatry; National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
FAQ
FAQs
Does Swift microwave therapy cure verrucae?
There is no guaranteed cure for verrucae with any treatment. Swift is a newer microwave therapy with promising but still-emerging evidence. It works by prompting your own immune system to clear the virus, usually needs a course of sessions, and helps some people but not all. We set realistic expectations before starting.
Will my verruca go away on its own?
Often, yes. The NHS notes that verrucae usually go away on their own, though it may take months or even years. Because the evidence for treatments is limited and none is reliably curative, watchful waiting is a reasonable choice unless the verruca is painful, spreading, or troubling you.
Does verruca treatment hurt?
It varies by method. Swift causes a brief sharp sensation during each pulse but needs no anaesthetic. Cryotherapy can sting and blister afterwards. Needling is done under local anaesthetic. We discuss comfort and aftercare for each option so you can choose what suits you before any treatment begins.
Can I treat a verruca myself with a chemist's acid plaster?
Many adults can use over-the-counter acid treatments, but they often irritate the skin and do not always work. If you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or reduced sensation, do not self-treat with acids: they can cause serious harm. See one of our podiatrists instead for safe assessment and treatment.
How many Swift sessions will I need?
It depends on the verruca's size, depth, and how long it has been present. Swift is typically delivered as a course of sessions spaced a few weeks apart, with progress reviewed each time. Because response varies between people, we cannot promise a set number; we reassess and adjust at every visit.
What appointment do I need for a verruca?
If you are new to us, book an initial consultation so we can confirm the diagnosis and agree a plan. If you have seen us before, a follow-up appointment is usually right. If you are unsure, message us on WhatsApp with a photo and we will point you to the correct booking.
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Canary Wharf Podiatry • 1 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HD
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