No one wants to deal with pain and embarrassment of surface-based skin lesions like pesky Plantar warts– a recurring viral infection.
Like all warts, Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus, specifically types 1, 2, 4, 60, and 63. Unlike other types of warts, plantar warts are hard to live with as they’re typically quite painful.
Often, the pressure from walking and standing forces them to grow finger-like roots into the skin of your heel, making them very difficult to treat effectively from the surface.
Thankfully, relief is easier than ever before with Swift, the most modern and effective treatment for warts available, now available at Foot & Ankle Group.
What is Swift?
Swift is a cutting-edge, FDA-approved technology proven to be highly effective in the removal of plantar warts. Low-dose microwave energy targets and treats the underlying HPV virus by stimulating a natural immune response in the body. Unlike other treatments, Swift addresses the root cause of warts; not the symptom.
What to Expect
Swift protocol involves between 3 and 4 treatments, spaced 4 weeks apart; aligning with the body’s natural immune cycle. Each treatment lasts only 5-10 minutes and is what we call a “sock off – sock on” treatment: Limited debridement, no breaking of the skin, no bandages. No home treatment is required between treatments and patients are able to resume daily activities immediately.
How effective is Swift?
Since Swift harnesses the power of the patient’s immune system to target the root cause of the wart (HPV), efficacy is significantly higher compared to other treatment methods.
For more information on Swift and how it compares to traditional methods, visit https://www.warttreatmentinfo.com/
Does it hurt?
While pain is variable and patient/lesion-specific, most patients typically feel some discomfort as the temperature of infected tissue are rapidly elevated in a 2-second dose of energy. However, the pain immediately subsides following cessation of energy delivery and there is very limited post-procedural pain. In fact, some patients report an immediate reduction in pain levels. All patients continue on with day-to-day activities immediately following treatment.
When you should come to see us
It’s important to visit a podiatrist if you suspect or feel that you have a plantar wart and are seeking removal. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more likely the wart is to persist. Here are some common symptoms to look out for:
- You may get the feeling of “painful pebbles” in your shoes.
- You may experience pain when you compress the sides of the wart.
- You may see a circular flat spot on the skin with a depressed area in the middle.
- They may appear “yellowed” with a crust; small black dots can be an easy giveaway.
- The lesion on your foot is painful, bleeding, or has changed color.
- Other treatments do not work and the wart reoccurs or multiplies.
- Discomfort prevents you from doing regular activities.
- Poor sensation in your feet.
- You are unsure if the lesion is a wart.
What to do Next
If you would like to get rid of your warts for good or explore Swift Treatment as an option, please book a consultation with us by calling us at 239-936-5400. One of our specialists will be happy to help.