Using Salicylic Acid to treat Veruccae - get the most from your treatment

Application of salicylic acid will leave the site white and macerated

Salicylic applications are widely available from shops and pharmacies. It has been used as a traditional treatment for veruccae for years. The packs which are available to buy are typically about 12% in strength. This includes brands like bazooka etc.

Podiatrists use formulations which are much more potent that this, sometimes more than 5 times stronger. These preparations are not available to buy and can only be given to you by a suitably qualified person such as a podiatrist in this instance.

Before applying any acid or caustic based treatment the podiatrist will remove the thick layer of skin which covers the actual verucca using a scalpel. This is called sharp debridment. It is common for the verucca to bleed during sharp debridment so you shouldn’t be alarmed if this is the case. By debriding the verucca the podiatrist can treat the seat of the growth, at the capillary bed level.

All verucca treatments will, in one way or another, destroy tissue locally. There is no single treatment which has shown to be more effective over another. That's why we will explain each of the available treatments to you and elect the one most suitable for your lifestyle.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your salicylic acid treatment.

• Keep the site dry. If you get the site or the dressing wet you will not get the desired effect from the treatment. Use plastic shower seals if you need to but it is important to keep it dry. 

• Ensure to follow up with your podiatrist if they have asked you to, and if a review appointment has been made for you it is important that you attend. This is because we have applied acid to your foot, it’s important that we check to ensure you are not having any unexpected side effects or burn.
   
• If applying a home treatment on the advice of the podiatrist it is a good idea to review at 2 or 3 weekly intervals to check your progress.
   
• Remember, your veruccae are caused by a virus. Even if the podiatrist can get rid of your verucca this time doesn’t mean that you won’t get another in the future.
   
• If you experience pain associated with your treatment call us for an appointment.
   
• Lastly, remember veruccae are self limiting and harmless. They are annoying but you will not come to any harm as the result of a veruccae. They are not linked to hygiene but can be passed on from one person to another, so it’s a good idea to cover your veruccae with veruccae socks when swimming or using communal facilities.