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Not an emergency service. If you or someone else is seriously unwell — for example chest pain, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or collapse — call 999. For urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Recovery & Aftercare Guide

Verruca & wart treatment

Cryotherapy or other treatment for viral warts and verrucae, usually over several sessions.

Important. Your individual instructions from your treating clinician take precedence over this general information. If anything here differs from what your clinician has told you, follow your clinician’s advice and contact the hospital if you are unsure.

Overview

Warts and verrucae are caused by a virus in the top layer of skin. Treatment works by destroying the affected skin so healthy skin replaces it.

Treatment is offered when lesions are painful, spreading, persistent or in an awkward site.

Most lesions need several treatments, typically 2 to 4 weeks apart. A single session rarely clears a wart completely.

Before your procedure

  • Tell the team if you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation in the feet, as this changes what is safe to use.
  • Mention if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Do not apply wart paints or acid preparations in the 48 hours before treatment unless told to.
  • Filing hard skin over a verruca in the days before can help treatment reach the lesion. Ask first if you have diabetes.
  • Wear footwear that will be comfortable afterwards if a verruca is being treated.

What happens on the day

  1. The lesion is examined and any overlying hard skin may be pared down.
  2. Cryotherapy is applied in short freeze cycles. This causes a sharp, cold, stinging sensation lasting several seconds each time.
  3. The treatment is brief. Local anaesthetic is not usually used.
  4. You can walk out and carry on with your day, though a treated verruca may be tender underfoot.

Aftercare

Pain

Stinging or aching for a few hours is common, and a treated verruca can be tender to stand on for a day or two. Simple over-the-counter pain relief per the packet is usually enough.

Blistering

A blister, sometimes blood-filled, may form within 24 hours. This is an expected part of cryotherapy, not a complication.

Blister care

Do not deliberately burst a blister. If it bursts on its own, keep the area clean and covered until dry.

Bathing

Keep the area clean and dry. Shower rather than soak.

Footwear

Wear cushioned, well-fitting shoes for a few days after verruca treatment.

Swimming and shared floors

Cover the lesion in pools, changing rooms and communal showers to reduce spread to others.

Exercise

Usually unrestricted, though running may be uncomfortable for a day or two after verruca treatment.

Follow-up

Further sessions are usually planned 2 to 4 weeks apart. Attending the full course matters more than any single session.

Typical recovery timeline

Timings are typical and vary between individuals.
WhenWhat to expect
First 24 hoursStinging settles. A blister may form.
Days 2 to 7Blister dries and darkens. Skin begins to lift.
Days 7 to 14Dead skin separates. The lesion may look smaller or unchanged.
2 to 4 weeksNext treatment session if the lesion persists.
Several monthsMany lesions need repeated sessions. Some resolve without full clearance being achieved.

Red flags — when to seek help

These lists are not exhaustive. Trust your judgement and seek advice if you are worried.

Emergency Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department

  • Severe pain, numbness or colour change in a toe or finger after treatment
  • Feeling generally unwell with a high temperature or shivering

Contact us Contact the hospital, or call NHS 111 out of hours

  • Spreading redness around the treated area
  • Pus or offensive discharge
  • A wound that will not heal, particularly if you have diabetes
  • A lesion that changes appearance, bleeds or grows quickly

Tower Bridge Hospital, 97–99 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DT. Telephone 020 7916 0029. If in doubt and the situation is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Frequently asked questions

How many sessions will I need?

Commonly 3 to 6, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, though this varies. Some lesions do not clear completely.

Is it painful?

The freeze itself stings for a few seconds. Aching afterwards is usually mild and short-lived.

Are warts contagious?

Yes. Cover lesions in shared wet areas and avoid sharing towels or footwear.

Can I treat it myself between sessions?

Only if your clinician has advised it. Over-the-counter treatments are not suitable for everyone, particularly those with diabetes.

More information

Clinical reviewer
Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director
Review date
21 July 2026
Review by
21 July 2027
Version
1.0
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