My daughter swims and, as a result, she is prone to picking up verrucas on a fairly frequent basis. As a result, we always have a supply of Bazuka Extra Strength Gel in the house so that we can start treatment as soon as one of the ugly blighters rears their ugly little head. I have to admit that I usually go for Bazuka Gel because it is the most easily available and because it's the one that always comes to mind because of the catchphrase "Bazuka that Verruka!". I usually pick up a 5g tube of the gel from Boots for around £7.00 - which isn't particularly cheap if you just have a one off verruca, but if there is a recurring problem then the cost isn't so bad.

The gel comes in a small metal tube which is sealed for safety reasons. It comes in a box which also encloses a patient information leaflet and a mini emery board. The patient information leaflet is comprehensive and includes instructions, warnings, side effects etc and the instruction are clear and very easy to follow.

Using the gel is easy. If necessary, you need to file down the verruca with the enclosed emery board.....but you only need to do this is the verruca is very hard. I usually find with my daughter that we don't need to use the emery board and just go straight to the gel application. Using the gel applicator, I apply just a tiny amount to the verruca's head (about a pin head is enough) and then spread it around the verrucas' area. My daughter tells me that the initial sensation is quite refreshing more than anything else. A crust then forms over the verruca which has to stay in place for the next 5 - 7 days. After 5 - 7 days, you need to peel off the crust - and then reapply the gel to the verruca - and let it re-scab again. I usually find that two applications is enough to do the trick.

The side effects appear to be pretty minimal. My daughter complains that occasionally the skin around the verruca can feel a little bit sore, but she rates this soreness as about 2 / 10 - and so really not bad at all.

I do find that Bazuka Extra Strength Gel does work as long as the verruca is is targeted very soon after it appears. I find that the longer it has to take hold, the longer it takes to tackle it. So, as long as the verruca is hit with the Bazuka within a few days, then the effectiveness of this gel is very good and so I recommend it.