How should wart/verruca treatments be applied?
• Topical salicylic acid: • Before applying, soften the area by soaking it in warm water for 5–10 minutes. • Peel off any film remaining from the previous application. • Avoid applying the treatment to the surrounding skin. • Debride the surface of the wart/verruca with an emery board once or twice a week, to remove excess hard skin. • Do not apply to the face or areas that are extensively affected because of an increased risk of skin irritation and scarring. • Cryotherapy: • Only practitioners who have been trained in the use of cryotherapy should carry out this treatment. • Before performing cryotherapy, obtain informed consent and document: • When cryotherapy is undertaken. • The thaw times and freeze times used. • A spray is commonly used to apply liquid nitrogen. The spray is applied until a halo of frozen tissue appears around the wart, and is then timed for 5–30 seconds depending on the site and size of the wart. • Cotton buds may be preferable when treating children or for wart
