Avoca Caustic Pencils & Wart Treatment Products

Avoca caustic pencils are topical silver nitrate applicators used to cauterise small areas of skin, most commonly for the treatment of common warts and verrucas under professional guidance. When moistened and applied carefully to the targeted area, the pencil delivers a controlled chemical cauterisation that helps destroy abnormal tissue. Because caustic pencils are powerful, they must be used precisely, following the product instructions and any medical advice you have been given.

What are Avoca caustic pencils?

Avoca caustic pencils are slender sticks containing a mixture of silver nitrate and other caustic salts, set into a solid, pencil-like form. When the tip is moistened with a drop of clean water, the silver nitrate dissolves and can be applied directly to a small area of skin. This produces a localised chemical burn that destroys the surface tissue of the wart or verruca.

These products sit within Welzo’s wider skin health ranges alongside everyday skin care, body skincare and fungal conditions collections, but they are not cosmetic moisturisers. They are powerful cauterising agents that require careful, limited use.

Conditions Avoca caustic pencils may be used for

Caustic pencils are traditionally used by healthcare professionals for small, well-defined lesions such as:

• Common warts on hands and feet.
• Verrucas (plantar warts) on the soles of the feet.
• Small areas of over-granulation or exuberant tissue (when a clinician advises this approach).

Many people with persistent verrucas or warts will also try other self-care treatments and general foot-skin support from our body skincare and fungal conditions categories, or seek podiatry input if lesions are painful or recurrent.

Benefits and features of Avoca caustic pencils

• Focused cauterisation: Allows controlled treatment of a small lesion rather than a large skin area.
• Effective tissue destruction: Silver nitrate chemically cauterises wart tissue, leading it to darken and slough off over time.
• Single-use tip area: The tip can be used for one focused treatment session as directed, reducing the need for large quantities of liquid chemicals.
• Compact and portable: Small pencil format that can be stored in a first-aid kit, alongside other items from our first aid, plasters and antiseptics collections.

Why careful use is essential

Silver nitrate is strongly caustic. While this is what makes Avoca pencils effective on warts and verrucas, it also means that healthy skin can be burned if the product is applied too broadly or for too long. Misuse can lead to pain, ulceration and scarring. For this reason, many people will only use caustic pencils after discussion with a clinician or podiatrist, and only on clearly diagnosed warts or verrucas rather than on unexplained lumps, moles or pigmented lesions.

If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, or if a lesion is changing in size, colour or shape, medical assessment is essential before considering a caustic product. Conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, which are managed with products in our eczema and psoriasis ranges, are not treated with caustic pencils.

How to use Avoca caustic pencils

Always read the package leaflet carefully and follow any specific instructions from your doctor, podiatrist or pharmacist. General principles usually include:

• Protect surrounding healthy skin with a barrier such as petroleum jelly or a carefully cut plaster, leaving only the wart or verruca exposed.
• Moisten the tip of the pencil with a single drop of clean water (do not soak the entire stick).
• Apply the tip precisely to the lesion for the time recommended in the product instructions, avoiding contact with normal skin.
• After treatment, gently blot the area and allow it to dry; do not rub or scrub.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after use and keep the pencil away from children.

The treated area will usually darken over the following days. It may take several carefully spaced applications, or alternative treatments, to fully clear warts or verrucas. You may wish to combine this approach with general foot and skin care from our body skincare and skin care ranges, as directed by a professional.

Who should avoid Avoca caustic pencils?

You should avoid using caustic pencils if:

• You are unsure of the diagnosis or the lesion’s cause.
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding and have not discussed treatment options with a healthcare professional.
• You have very sensitive skin or a history of strong reactions to topical treatments.
• You cannot safely see or reach the area (for example, the sole of the foot) and may struggle to apply the product precisely.

In these situations, a clinician may suggest alternative management or refer you for specialist treatment rather than home cauterisation.

Types of Avoca caustic products

Within this category, you may see:

• Standard Avoca caustic pencils: Classic silver nitrate sticks for precise application to small lesions.
• Single-use or individually packed applicators: Designed for one treatment session to maintain sterility and dose control.

These products are often stored alongside protective dressings, cleansing solutions and after-care items from our first aid, plasters and antiseptics collections to support complete lesion care.

Avoca caustic pencils vs other wart & verruca treatments

Common alternative wart and verruca treatments include salicylic acid paints or gels, cryotherapy (freezing) and, in some cases, prescription therapies. Compared with these:

• Caustic pencils: Provide localised chemical cauterisation, but require very precise application and carry a risk of burns if misused.
• Salicylic acid preparations: Gradually soften and dissolve the thickened skin over several weeks; often used as first-line self-care.
• Cryotherapy: Usually carried out in a clinic using liquid nitrogen or similar agents.

The best choice depends on the lesion’s size, location, your general health and your clinician’s advice. Many people start with simpler options similar to those in our foot and skin and skin care categories before considering caustic cauterisation.

How Welzo selects Avoca caustic products

At Welzo, more specialised products like Avoca caustic pencils are included based on:

• Clear, focused indication: Intended for small, defined lesions such as common warts and verrucas.
• Established clinical use: Silver nitrate cauterisation is an accepted technique in specific, appropriate circumstances.
• Robust safety information: Products must include clear instructions and warnings so users understand the risks and correct application.
• Suitability within wider care: Ability to sit alongside less aggressive treatments and general skin-care support within our skin care and body skincare ranges.

FAQs about Avoca Caustic Pencils

Are Avoca caustic pencils suitable for home use?

They can be supplied for home use, but they are not routine cosmetic products. They should only be used when you are confident about the diagnosis, can apply them precisely and understand the risks. Many people will only use them on the advice of a clinician or podiatrist.

How many treatments will I need?

Some warts or verrucas may respond after one or a few carefully spaced applications, while others can be stubborn and require alternative methods. If there is no improvement, or if lesions worsen, seek medical advice rather than repeatedly re-applying caustic agents.

Can I use a caustic pencil on a child’s verruca?

You should not use a caustic pencil on a child without specific advice from a doctor or specialist. Less aggressive, child-friendly options are usually preferred first.

What should I do if the surrounding skin turns black or sore?

A small amount of darkening on the treated lesion is expected, but burning of surrounding healthy skin indicates the product has spread too far. Rinse gently with plenty of water, avoid further use and seek professional advice if pain, redness or ulceration are significant.

Can I use Avoca caustic pencils on my face?

No. Caustic pencils should not be used on the face, near the eyes or on sensitive genital areas due to the high risk of burns and scarring. Any facial lesion of concern should be assessed by a doctor or dermatologist.

Is this information medical advice?

No. This page provides general information about Avoca caustic pencils and their typical uses. It is not personalised medical advice. Always speak to your GP, pharmacist, podiatrist or dermatologist before treating skin lesions with caustic agents.

Medical disclaimer: Avoca caustic pencils contain caustic agents that can burn skin if misused. They must be used strictly according to the instructions and only on suitable lesions. If you are unsure about the diagnosis or safest treatment, seek professional medical advice before use.