Verruca & Wart Treatment in Manchester
Fast, Affordable Verruca Treatment for the Whole Family
Professional cryotherapy for verrucas and warts from just £30 for under-18s. Pharmacist-led. Walk-ins welcome when our pharmacist is on site. Across our Manchester branches.
GPhC-regulated · NHS-registered · Manchester-based since 2009
The Affordable Alternative to Podiatrist Prices
If you’ve ever tried to sort a verruca for your child, you’ll know the drill. Over-the-counter gels that drag on for months. Pharmacy plasters that fall off in the bath. And when you finally give up and go private, podiatrist prices land somewhere between £50 and £100 per treatment — for a single verruca.
We think that’s far too much for something that used to cost £20 a decade ago. So we’re fixing it.
At Everest Pharmacy, we’re offering professional verruca treatment in Manchester for just £30 for under-18s, with follow-up sessions at only £10 if needed. Same cryotherapy technology. Same clinical standards. A fraction of the price.
It’s part of how we think about the wider community we serve — supporting families through all the ups and downs of life, from travel jabs before a holiday to quick, affordable treatment when something crops up that you just want sorted.
Our Family-Friendly Pricing
Under 18s
£30
Initial verruca or wart treatment for children and teenagers
Follow-up
£10
Any follow-up sessions needed for the same verruca or wart
Compare this to £50–£100 per session at a typical Manchester podiatrist. Our pricing is designed to make professional treatment accessible for local families.
What Is a Verruca and Why Do Children Get Them?
A verruca is a wart that appears on the sole of the foot. Both verrucas and warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through tiny cuts or softened skin.
They’re particularly common in children because of the places kids spend time: swimming pools, school changing rooms, PE lessons, gym floors. The virus thrives in warm, damp environments — and children’s feet are often in exactly those conditions.
You can usually spot a verruca by:
- A small rough growth on the sole of the foot, often with a hard ring of skin around it
- Tiny black dots in the centre (these are small, clotted blood vessels)
- Pain or discomfort when walking, especially on weight-bearing areas
- Flat appearance rather than raised, because pressure from walking pushes it inward
Warts on the hands and fingers look similar but tend to be raised rather than flat. Both respond well to cryotherapy.
Why Cryotherapy Works Better Than Shop-Bought Treatments
Most parents try over-the-counter options first. Salicylic acid gels, Scholl plasters, freeze sprays from the chemist. These can work — but they often need weeks or months of daily application, and the success rate is inconsistent, particularly for stubborn or deep-rooted verrucas.
Professional cryotherapy for verrucas uses liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide applied with millimetre precision by a trained pharmacist. The extreme cold destroys the infected tissue while leaving the surrounding healthy skin untouched. The treated verruca then naturally blisters and lifts away over the following days.
It’s the same method used by podiatrists and dermatologists. The difference is the price — and the fact you can walk into your local Manchester pharmacy to get it done.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
The whole appointment takes up to 15 minutes. Here’s how it goes:
2 mins
Assessment
Our pharmacist checks the area to confirm it’s a verruca or wart and that cryotherapy is suitable.
A few seconds
Treatment
The pharmacist applies the cryotherapy device directly to the verruca. You’ll feel an intense cold sensation that may sting briefly — most children describe it as a cold pinch.
5 mins
Aftercare advice
We’ll talk you through exactly how to look after the treated area over the following days so healing goes smoothly.
If needed · £10
Follow-up
Larger or stubborn verrucas sometimes need a second or third session, typically spaced 4 weeks apart. Just £10 each.
Who Is This Treatment Suitable For?
Our cryotherapy service is suitable for:
- Children aged 4 and over
- Teenagers
- Adults looking for an affordable alternative to podiatry
- Both verrucas (on the feet) and warts (on the hands, fingers or elsewhere on the body, excluding sensitive areas)
When we might not treat
For your child’s safety, our pharmacist may advise against cryotherapy or recommend you see your GP first if any of the following apply. Please mention these when you book or arrive:
- Taking antihistamines (for hayfever, allergies or similar). These reduce the body’s natural healing response and need to be stopped for 48 hours before and after treatment
- Diabetes or a compromised immune system
- Poor circulation, Raynaud’s, cold urticaria or cold intolerance
- The lesion looks unusual, has changed recently, or you’re not sure whether it’s a wart/verruca — we’ll refer you to your GP for diagnosis first
- The lesion is in a sensitive area (near the eye, genitals, or on the lips)
- Your child has recently had an infection, flu or cold — healing may be affected
Your pharmacist will always complete a brief assessment at the start of the appointment. If cryotherapy isn’t suitable, we’ll explain why and guide you to the next best step. Your safety always comes first.
Aftercare: What Happens After Treatment
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Cryotherapy aftercare is straightforward, but knowing what to expect helps — especially with a child. Here’s what’s normal.
In the first few hours
- Redness around the treated area is normal — it’s part of the inflammatory healing response
- Itching within minutes of treatment, usually lasting up to 30 minutes. Caused by histamine release — completely normal
- A small blister may form. This can happen to anyone and doesn’t affect the treatment outcome. Don’t pop it — it’ll settle on its own
Over the next few days
- A small dry scab may form. Don’t pick it or pull it off — let it come away naturally
- You may see tiny black spots appear in the treated verruca or wart. This is actually a good sign — it means the lesion is dying and will come away in the coming weeks
- If a blister does burst, clean it gently with an alcohol-free wipe and apply a smear of antiseptic cream. Cover with a plaster if needed
The full healing timeline
Most healing takes place over 4 to 6 weeks. Skin varies from person to person, so some children’s skin will regenerate faster than others. If the treated area hasn’t healed after 6 weeks, book in for a GP review.
General aftercare guidance
- Don’t scratch or pick the treated area — this will slow healing and may damage the skin
- Avoid scrubs on the area while it heals
- Your child can shower, bathe and wash as normal. Pat the area dry afterwards rather than rubbing
- Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes to reduce pressure on treated verrucas
- For the first 2 weeks, avoid communal swimming pools and don’t share towels, socks or footwear
- If treating a visible area (hands, face), use SPF 50 sun cream once healed to prevent pigmentation changes
If the treated area becomes increasingly painful, hot to the touch, or the area is still weeping after 2 weeks, contact your pharmacist or GP for advice.
Possible Side Effects
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Cryotherapy is a well-established, low-risk treatment. We want you to know exactly what you’re consenting to, so here are the possible side effects your pharmacist will walk you through at the appointment:
- Blistering is common and can happen with any cryotherapy treatment
- Temporary pigmentation changes (lighter or darker skin in the treated area) — usually fade over a few months but can occasionally last longer
- Headaches if treating near the forehead, scalp or temples — can last up to 2 hours
- Temporary nerve irritation (rare) when treating warts on fingers, wrists or behind the ears — usually resolves within a few months
- If treating over an area with hair, permanent hair loss in that small spot is possible
These are the same considerations any clinic providing cryotherapy would discuss with you. Your pharmacist will explain everything and ask you to sign a short consent form before treatment goes ahead.
What to Bring & What to Expect on the Day
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- A parent or guardian must accompany any patient under 16 and will sign a short consent form before treatment
- If your child takes antihistamines, please mention this when you book — they’ll need to stop these 48 hours before and after treatment
- Tell us about any medical conditions, medications or recent illnesses — it helps us make sure treatment is safe
- If the verruca is on the foot, wear easy-to-remove footwear (trainers, sandals)
- The appointment takes up to 15 minutes, including the assessment and aftercare advice
Where to Book: Our Manchester Cryotherapy Branches
This offer is available at every Everest Pharmacy branch that provides cryotherapy. Walk-ins are welcome when our pharmacist is on site, or book ahead online to guarantee your slot.
Find your nearest Everest Pharmacy branch offering cryotherapy, or call our head office on 0161 227 8106 and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Book Your Verruca Treatment Today
Skip the overpriced podiatrist. Skip the months of painting gel on something that won’t shift. Book your cryotherapy appointment below, or call us on 0161 227 8106.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is verruca treatment for my child?
The initial treatment for under-18s is £30. Any follow-up sessions needed for the same verruca or wart are just £10. This is significantly cheaper than a typical Manchester podiatrist, where prices start at £50 and often go up to £100 per session.
How old does my child need to be?
Our cryotherapy service is suitable for children aged 4 and over. Your pharmacist will always assess suitability at the start of the appointment.
Does the £30 price cover warts too, or just verrucas?
Yes — the £30 under-18s price applies to both verrucas (on the feet) and warts (on hands, fingers and other areas). Both are caused by HPV and respond well to cryotherapy.
How long does the appointment take?
Appointments take up to 15 minutes, including the assessment, treatment and aftercare advice.
Does it hurt?
There’s a brief stinging cold sensation when the treatment is applied. Most children describe it as a cold pinch. It’s short-lived and manageable — far less painful than leaving a verruca untreated long-term, in most cases.
How many sessions will my child need?
Many verrucas clear after a single treatment. Larger or stubborn verrucas may need 2–3 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart. Our £10 follow-up pricing is designed to make this affordable.
Do I need to book in advance, or can we walk in?
Walk-ins are welcome when our pharmacist is on site. To guarantee a slot — particularly if you’re travelling to us — we recommend booking ahead online.
Which branches offer this service?
All Everest Pharmacy branches that provide cryotherapy offer this price. See our branch list or call 0161 227 8106 and we’ll direct you to your nearest clinic.
Is this available on the NHS?
Verruca and wart removal is not typically funded by the NHS unless the lesion is causing significant medical concern. Our private service exists precisely because families are often left to pay £50–£100 at a podiatrist — which is why we’ve priced ours at £30 for under-18s.
Can I come with my child to the appointment?
Yes — a parent or guardian must accompany any patient under 16.