Wart Excision Procedure

Wart excision is a minor surgical procedure that removes a wart completely using a small blade, typically under local anaesthetic. It is a direct and reliable option for stubborn warts that have not responded to topical treatments, freezing, or other conservative methods.

This page explains how the procedure works, how it compares to cryotherapy, and what healing involves.

What Is a Wart Excision?

A wart excision physically removes the wart and its underlying root rather than treating it from the surface. Your podiatrist numbs the area, excises the wart tissue, and may seal the base by cauterising or using a chemical to reduce the chance of regrowth.

How the Procedure Works

The procedure is quick, precise, and performed under local anaesthetic:

The procedure typically takes around 15–20 minutes, and you can return to most normal activities the same day.

How It Compares to Cryotherapy

Excision and cryotherapy both treat warts, but they work very differently:

Feature

Wart Excision

Cryotherapy (Freezing)

Approach

Physical removal with a blade under local anaesthetic

Freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen

Anaesthetic

Local anaesthetic required

None or light numbing

Number of sessions

Usually one definitive procedure

Often multiple repeated treatments

Result

Immediate removal of the wart

Wart falls off as it freezes and sheds

Recovery

A dressing for a short period; some tenderness

Blisters and peeling over a week or two

Suitability

Stubborn, thick, or deeply rooted warts

Smaller, more superficial warts

How It Compares to Cryotherapy

Excision and cryotherapy both treat warts, but they work very differently:

What Healing Looks Like

Expect some tenderness and a small wound for a few days, with a dressing to be changed as advised. Over one to two weeks the site settles and new skin forms. The follow-up is brief and simply confirms that the wart has been fully cleared and that healing is on track.

Let Your Wound Truly Heal

We perform sharp, wound, and nail debridement in-clinic using sterile techniques tailored to the tissue involved. Each session includes an assessment of the underlying cause, so we pair debridement with a plan to prevent recurrence.