City Dermatology Clinic provides specialist assessment and removal of warts at our City of London and Harley Street clinics. Warts are caused by strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can appear on the hands, feet, face, or body. Our dermatologists and surgeons treat all wart types, including plantar warts, common warts, flat warts, and facial warts, using techniques such as surgical excision and electrocautery. Each case is assessed individually to ensure effective removal, reduced recurrence risk, and minimal scarring.
Most small warts eventually settle or respond to over-the-counter acids and freezing kits, but stubborn, painful, or long-standing warts often need proper medical care. Warts that keep returning, spread to other areas, or interfere with daily activities usually respond better to professional removal carried out by a dermatologist or surgeon.
The wart is removed using curettage (a precise scraping technique), followed by electrocautery to destroy any remaining wart tissue. It’s performed under local anaesthetic, usually in a single session, with a low risk of recurrence and quick recovery.
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy wart tissue. It works well for many common and plantar warts. It causes brief discomfort as a blister forms and lifts the wart away from the skin. Several treatments may be needed for thicker or older warts, and downtime is minimal.
Laser treatment is available in specific cases where heat-based removal is preferred, but it is not the first-line option for most warts. Surgical excision, electrocautery, and cryotherapy tend to provide more reliable clearance and lower recurrence rates.
| Step | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | A dermatologist or plastic surgeon examines the wart(s), confirms the type (e.g., common, plantar, flat, filiform, facial, or genital), and rules out other skin conditions. Your doctor will also check for signs of spreading or infection. |
| Clinical Assessment | The specialist evaluates the size, depth, and location of each wart using dermoscopy where needed. This helps determine the most effective treatment and whether multiple sessions are likely. |
| Selecting the Treatment Method | Your doctor will recommend cryotherapy, electrosurgery, or surgical excision based on the wart type, thickness, location, and previous treatments. The aim is complete removal with minimal discomfort and the lowest risk of recurrence or scarring. |
| Treatment Session (often on same-day) | Most procedures take 10–30 minutes and are performed under local anaesthetic for comfort. Depending on the technique, the wart is frozen, cauterised, or surgically removed. Plantar and stubborn warts may require more than one session. |
| Post-Procedure Care | You’ll receive clear instructions on wound care, dressing changes, washing the area, and activity restrictions. Mild redness or blistering is common after cryotherapy. Excision sites may require a small dressing for several days. |
| Aftercare Support (free) | Our team is available for any concerns during healing. If histology is required (e.g., for uncertain or atypical lesions), results will be shared promptly with guidance on next steps. |
| Follow-Up Visits | A review may be booked to assess healing or perform additional treatments if the wart is deep, recurrent, or plantar. Your doctor will advise on reducing reinfection or spread, especially for HPV-related warts. |
These rough, raised bumps appear most often on the hands and fingers. They are caused by common strains of HPV and may contain tiny black dots (thrombosed capillaries). While harmless, they can spread through direct contact.
Found on the soles of the feet, plantar warts grow inward due to pressure from walking. They often feel like standing on a stone and may show the classic black “wart seeds.” They are frequently mistaken for corns or calluses but require different treatment.
These small, smooth, slightly raised lesions appear in clusters on the face, neck, or back of the hands. They spread easily through shaving, scratching, or friction and are more common in children and young adults.
Characterised by long, narrow, thread-like projections, filiform warts appear around the mouth, eyes, and nose. Because of their location and rapid growth, they can be especially distressing and require careful removal to minimise scarring.
These warts grow around the nails and can distort nail shape over time. They often start as small, rough bumps and can become painful or difficult to treat if left untreated.
Caused by specific strains of HPV, these warts appear in the genital or anal area and may form small, raised bumps or larger cauliflower-like clusters. They require specialist assessment and are treated with methods suitable for delicate skin.
Warts on or near the eyelids require removal by a specialist to avoid damaging the surrounding tissue. Treatment is typically performed by an ophthalmology-trained surgeon or dermatologist with experience in periocular lesions.
Warts are small, rough skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They often appear on the hands, feet, face and other high-contact areas. While harmless in most cases, warts can be uncomfortable, persistent, and easily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or shared surfaces.
• A rough, grainy or raised surface
• Small black dots inside the wart (tiny clotted blood vessels)
• Pain or discomfort when pressure is applied, especially with plantar warts
• Rapid growth or spreading to nearby areas
• Cosmetic concerns when located on the face, eyelids, or hands
Different HPV strains cause different wart types, which is why plantar, facial, filiform and genital warts behave differently.
• Direct skin contact
• Shared floors in gyms, pools or changing rooms
• Sharing towels, razors or personal items
• Picking or shaving over affected skin
Warts can multiply, spread to other areas of your body and pass to others. Touching, scratching or shaving over a wart increases the risk of spreading. Plantar warts can grow deeper into the skin, while filiform warts can grow quickly on the face.
• A wart is painful, bleeding, or changing in appearance
• It spreads rapidly or new warts appear
• A wart is on the face, eyelid, lips or genital area
• You’re unsure whether the growth is a wart or something else
• At-home treatments have failed
Our wart removal service is delivered by doctors who specialise in medical and surgical dermatology. Each case is assessed individually, with treatment chosen based on the type of wart, its location, depth, and likelihood of recurrence. Our consultants routinely treat all wart types, including stubborn plantar warts, facial warts, filiform warts, genital and anal warts, and eyelid lesions, using safe, clinically validated methods.
All procedures are carried out under local anaesthetic in a controlled medical environment. Surgical approaches such as curettage, excision, and electrocautery are performed with precision to minimise recurrence and reduce scarring, while cryotherapy is used for suitable superficial warts. Where needed, dermoscopy is used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out lesions that may require biopsy or further investigation.
Because warts can be persistent and viral in nature, we also provide structured follow-up and aftercare. This allows your doctor to monitor healing, confirm that the wart has been fully eradicated, and plan further treatment if required.
Our goal is to provide safe, effective removal with the highest level of medical oversight, ensuring both the cosmetic and clinical aspects of your care are properly managed.
Receive specialist care from our team of dermatologists and minor-surgery doctors, experienced in diagnosing and treating all types of warts on the hands, feet, face, and body. Every case is assessed individually, and your procedure is carried out using safe, evidence-based techniques with a focus on precision, comfort, and minimal scarring.
Receive specialist care from our team of dermatologists and minor-surgery doctors, experienced in diagnosing and treating all types of warts on the hands, feet, face, and body. Every case is assessed individually, and your procedure is carried out using safe, evidence-based techniques with a focus on precision, comfort, and minimal scarring.
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MD, PhD
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MBBS, MD, MRCP
MB ChB FRCS
MBBS, MSc, FRCS
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MBBS, MSc, FRCS
MA MBBS FRCS
MD, PhD, CCT
MD, MSc, FRCS, FEBOPRAS
BSc, MBChB, FRCS
MBBS, FRCS
Wart Removal consultation with Doctor £100. We allocate enough time should you wish to have the procedure done straight after the consultation. Please note that all prices are subject to a consultation.
Yes. Warts spread through direct skin contact or by touching surfaces contaminated with HPV. The virus thrives in warm, moist environments such as gyms, changing rooms, and swimming pools. Small cuts, eczema, or damaged skin increase susceptibility. Good hygiene and early treatment help reduce transmission.
You should seek medical assessment if:
– the wart is painful, fast-growing, or bleeding
– a plantar wart makes standing or walking uncomfortable
– the wart is on the face
– the lesion is uncertain in appearance
– home treatments have failed
– you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system
A specialist can confirm the diagnosis and recommend the safest and most effective treatment.
Our clinic prioritises patient comfort and safety during wart removal procedures. Performed by experienced dermatologists, we utilise local anesthesia to numb the treatment area, ensuring a painless experience. Post-procedure, we offer free aftercare on managing any discomfort to ensure a smooth recovery.
At City Dermatology Clinic, we offer a variety of wart removal techniques tailored to the size, location, and type of wart. These can include cryotherapy, excision, electrocautery, and chemical treatments. Procedures typically last between 30 to 60 minutes. Depending on the method used and your specific circumstances, it may be possible to undergo treatment on the same day as your consultation.
Wart removal can generally be performed safely during pregnancy, particularly for treatments that are topical and minimally invasive. It’s crucial to inform your dermatologist about your pregnancy when booking your appointment, as this allows us to tailor the treatment plan to ensure both your safety and that of your unborn child. City Dermatology Clinic has extensive experience treating pregnant patients, providing them with the utmost care.
Yes, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Avoid picking or scratching the wart, keep it covered if it’s exposed, and don’t share towels, socks, or footwear. If you have a verruca, wear flip-flops or protective footwear in communal areas such as gym showers or swimming pools. Treating the wart early also helps reduce the risk of further spread.
The healing process varies depending on the removal method used, but typically, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks for the skin to heal completely. We provide detailed aftercare instructions to promote healing and prevent infection. Additionally, a complimentary follow-up appointment is scheduled to monitor your recovery and address any concerns.
Following wart removal, it’s common to experience some mild discomfort and redness around the treated area, which should subside quickly. In the complimentary follow-up, we’ll assess the healing process and discuss any concerns you may have. Our goal is to ensure your skin heals smoothly and satisfactorily.
Most warts and verrucae are harmless and often resolve on their own over time. However, they can become painful, particularly on weight-bearing areas like the feet, or if they grow in sensitive locations. Some people also seek treatment for cosmetic reasons or due to embarrassment. If a lesion changes in appearance or bleeds, it should be assessed by a medical professional to rule out other causes.
Warts are a widespread condition, affecting individuals of all ages, but they’re particularly prevalent among children and teenagers due to their active lifestyle and developing immune systems. The incubation period for warts, from HPV exposure to visible growths, ranges from 2 to 6 months. While anyone can develop warts, people with weakened immune systems or those who frequently use communal showers and pools may be at higher risk.
Yes, not all skin growths are warts. Similar-looking lesions could include skin tags, corns, calluses, seborrhoeic keratoses, or, less commonly, skin cancers. This is why a proper clinical diagnosis is important. At City Dermatology Clinic, all skin lesions are assessed carefully by a qualified dermatologist or surgeon before treatment is recommended.
