At my beauty salon in Maghull, warts on hands are one of the things women feel most awkward about. They curl their fingers into a fist when they pay at the till. They hide their hands under the table in a restaurant. So when a client finally shows me, she has usually been living with it for a long time.
I have looked after women’s skin since I qualified at Hugh Baird College in 1999. In this guide I’ll explain how I treat hand warts with the Cryopen, what it feels like and what happens afterwards. I’ll also be honest about when a wart is a job for your GP instead of me.
Why Warts on Hands Bother Women So Much
Hands are always on show. You hold a cup of tea at a friend’s house, hand over change in the Central Square shops, or show off a new ring. Because of that, a small rough bump on a knuckle can feel far bigger than it really is.
Many of my clients tell me the worst moment is when someone glances down. For example, a teacher sees a child staring at her hand while she points at the board. A nurse on a ward at Aintree notices a patient looking. Neither is in pain, yet both feel self-conscious every single day.
Common hand warts are usually harmless. That said, harmless does not mean you have to put up with them. Also, if a wart sits where it catches on clothes or a bag strap, it can become sore and annoying.
What Happens When I Freeze a Wart
The Cryopen fires a fine jet of nitrous oxide at high pressure. As a result, I can aim it very precisely at the wart and leave the skin around it alone. I hold the tip close to the wart, and the area freezes within seconds.
Then the area thaws. I usually repeat the freeze and thaw, because that repeat is part of how the treatment works. The whole process is quick, and most women are surprised by how little fuss it involves.
What Cryopen Treatment Feels Like
Most clients describe the feeling as like nettle stings. It is sharp for a moment, but it passes quickly. In practice, the nerves tend to be worse than the freeze itself.
I talk you through each step before I start. So you always know when the cold is coming. If you need a breather between freezes, just say so. Nobody is rushed in my treatment room.
Why I Never Promise One Session
I would love to tell you that one visit clears every wart. However, I can’t promise that, and nobody honest should. Warts on hands vary in size, depth and how long they have been there. Some respond well after one treatment, while others need to be treated again.
So at your first appointment I look closely at each wart. Then I explain what I think is realistic for you. If a second session is likely, I’ll tell you at the start rather than surprise you later.
Warts Near or Around the Nails
Warts often turn up on the fingers close to the nail, especially in women who bite their nails or pick at their cuticles. These need extra care. The skin there is thin, and the area is fiddly to reach.
I look at these carefully before deciding whether to freeze. Sometimes I’m happy to go ahead. Other times, especially if the wart seems to run under the nail, I’ll suggest you see your GP first. Meanwhile, please try to stop picking, because picking can spread warts to other fingers.
Cryopen Aftercare at Home
One of the nice things about this treatment is that you don’t need to come back for aftercare. Instead, I’ll explain exactly what to expect before you leave. After treatment, a wart often darkens and forms a crust. Over the following days, that crust usually lifts away gradually on its own.
Keep the area clean and dry, and pat it gently after washing. Don’t pick at the crust, even when it looks ready. If you’d like a fuller picture, I’ve written a guide to Cryopen aftercare week by week that explains how treated areas tend to heal.
Hands are busy, of course. Rubber gloves for the washing up help, and so does a little care with hand sanitiser on the treated spot. Most women carry on with work and the school run as normal.
When Warts on Hands Need a GP First
This part matters most. I won’t freeze any mark that has changed shape, bled or itched. If anything about a growth worries me, I’ll ask you to have it checked by a doctor first.
Please see your GP rather than me if a wart is on your face or genitals. The same applies if you have a weakened immune system, for example because of medication or treatment for another condition. Also see your GP if a wart is very painful, spreading quickly or keeps coming back. The NHS page on warts and verrucas explains when to get medical advice.
Being turned away for a week or two can feel frustrating. However, a quick check is always worth it. Once you have the all-clear, I’m happy to help.
Other Marks I Can Treat at the Same Visit
Many women who come in for warts on hands also mention a skin tag or an age spot. I can treat several marks in one session, so we can often deal with them together. Age spots fade over a course, so I’ll explain that plan separately. You can read more about every mark I treat on my Cryopen treatment Liverpool page.
Booking Your Cryopen Visit in Maghull
I’m the only therapist at the salon, so you’ll see me every time. That means I know exactly which warts I froze and how they looked before. Clients come to me from Lydiate, Aintree, Ormskirk and Formby, and the salon is at 3 Treeview Court.
If warts on hands have made you hide your fingers for too long, let’s take a look together. Call me on 0151 909 6116 or contact us, and I’ll find a time that suits you.
