26/05/2026
WHY WON’T MY WART GO AWAY?
Understanding Faulkner’s Needling for Persistent Plantar Warts
Plantar warts (also known as verrucae) can be one of the most frustrating foot conditions to treat. Many patients come into Bondi Podiatry after spending months — and sometimes years — trying multiple treatment methods with little success.
By the time we see them, many have already attempted:
• Over-the-counter acids and home remedies
• Cryotherapy (freezing treatments)
• Laser or acid treatments
• Swift microwave therapy
• Picking, filing, or covering the wart themselves
While these treatments can work well for some patients, certain warts become resistant, deeply embedded, or continue to recur despite repeated treatment.
This is where Faulkner’s Needling may be considered.
WHAT IS A PLANTAR WART?
Plantar warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which infects the outer layer of skin through tiny breaks or microtrauma. They are commonly picked up in shared barefoot environments such as:
• Gyms
• Change rooms
• Public showers
• Pools
• Yoga and pilates studios
• Beaches and communal areas
In active suburbs like Bondi, where many people regularly train barefoot, surf, swim, or exercise in shared environments, we frequently see persistent plantar warts in both adults and children.
Warts can present as:
• Thickened callused lesions on the sole of the foot
• Pain when walking or standing
• Small black dots (thrombosed capillaries)
• Clustered “mosaic” warts
• Tender lesions that feel like stepping on a stone
One of the biggest reasons plantar warts persist is because the virus can evade the body’s immune system. Surface treatments may remove layers of tissue, but sometimes fail to trigger a strong enough immune response to eliminate the virus completely.
This often explains why patients experience:
🚩Temporary improvement
🚩Recurrent lesions
🚩 Pain returning months later
🚩 Spread of the wart to surrounding areas
Some patients also have warts buried under thick skin or pressure areas, making them harder to treat with conventional methods alone.
Faulkner’s Needling is a minor surgical procedure designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to recognise and attack the HPV virus causing the wart.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, meaning the area is numb and comfortable throughout treatment.
During the procedure:
👉The overlying hard skin is reduced
👉A sterile needle repeatedly punctures the wart tissue
👉This pushes viral particles deeper into the tissue
👉The immune system is stimulated to identify the virus and mount a response
Unlike treatments that simply destroy surface tissue, needling aims to address the underlying viral infection itself.
WHO IS IT SUITABLE FOR?
Faulkner’s Needling may be considered for patients with:
✔️ Persistent plantar warts
✔️ Warts resistant to cryotherapy or Swift treatment
✔️ Painful lesions affecting walking or exercise
✔️ Mosaic or clustered verrucae
✔️ Long-standing recurrent warts
✔️ Difficulty tolerating repeated surface treatments
At Bondi Podiatry, we commonly discuss needling for patients who are tired of repeated failed treatments and are looking for an alternative approach.
WHAT IS RECOVERY LIKE?
After the procedure, some tenderness and mild discomfort are expected for a few days as the immune response begins. Patients are generally able to return to normal daily activities relatively quickly, although high-impact activity may need to be modified temporarily depending on the size and location of the wart.
Follow-up appointments are important to monitor healing and assess the wart’s response over time.
WHY PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT MATTERS
Not every lesion on the foot is actually a wart. Corns, calluses, foreign body reactions, and other skin lesions can sometimes look very similar.
A proper assessment allows us to:
✅Confirm the diagnosis
✅Determine the depth and severity of the lesion
✅ Discuss all treatment options
✅Decide whether needling is appropriate
✅ Create an individualised treatment plan
At Bondi Podiatry, we tailor wart treatment to the individual patient, their activity levels, previous treatment history, and lifestyle goals.
If you’ve been struggling with a wart that simply won’t resolve despite cryotherapy, Swift treatment, or home remedies, Faulkner’s Needling may be an option worth discussing.
Book an assessment with our team to explore the most appropriate treatment pathway for you. Head to our website to book an appointment today. www.bondipodiatry.com.au
📍 Bondi Podiatry
SUITE 304/251 Oxford St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
📞 (02) 8971 1682