Warts / SWIFT Therapy

What are Warts / SWIFT Therapy?

Warts can appear anywhere on the body. When they are on the bottom of your foot, they are called plantar warts because they occur on the sole of your foot.

Because the bottom of the foot has a lot of pressure, the warts grow inward into the tissue of your foot. Sometimes they are covered by a callus that you can see on the surface of the skin.

Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus which enters the body through a break in the skin. This virus is very contagious and can be picked up in public areas such as swimming pools, showers and locker rooms. Teenagers and children are prone to getting this virus as are those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of Warts

  • A rough, grainy growth on the bottom of the foot
  • A callus that may have covered the war
  • Black pinpoints on the surface of the wart
  • Pain or tenderness when walking or standing

How can I prevent Warts?

Preventing warts, particularly plantar warts on the feet, involves several practical measures to avoid contact with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

  • Keep your feet clean and dry.
  • Change socks and shoes daily.
  • Always cover feet with shower shoes or flip-flops in public areas.
  • Don’t touch any warts that you have as they can spread.

SWIFT Treatment for Warts

The Swift therapy for plantar warts and verruca has a different approach. Unlike conventional therapies, Swift is not destructive to the wart tissue. It encourages your immune system to resolve the wart. Because Swift triggers the immune system, there is less than a 1% chance of the wart reoccurring. That makes Swift is an effective treatment that is a cure for plantar warts.

Swift uses a directed low-powered microwave energy. This energy is applied directly to the wart and penetrates 3 mm. The session itself is only a few seconds. The microwave energy targets and heats the water molecules within the wart. This reaction uncloaks the proteins of the virus and exposes them to your immune system. Then it’s left up to your own immune system to fight the virus.

Activating the immune system is what makes Swift stand out. And it’s what makes it so effective. Normally, your immune system ignores the wart tissue. With the Swift treatment, your immune system is able to recognize the human papillomavirus causing the wart. It builds up an immunity to the HPV virus, which cures the virus. Consider it a permanent removal of the wart. 

Some people report minor discomfort during the 2-3 seconds of each pulse of energy. Swift provides no lingering pain afterwards. No wounds, no blisters, no dressings, no aftercare at all. You can resume your regular activity immediately after being treated with Swift, even with the bottom of the foot being a sensitive location.

  • Consistent – Swift provides a controlled burst of low-powered microwave energy. It’s the same with every treatment and very precise.
  • Clean – Swift uses a new applicator tip for every treatment. No sterilization is required. The tip is used one time and then discarded.
  • Confident – Swift is FDA approved. There is significant research backing up the efficacy. It has been used in Europe for years and was brought to the US in 2019.
  • No Dressings Needed – Swift does not leave a wound. There is no break in the skin. No blisters form after the treatment. There is no lingering pain after you are treated.
  • No Anesthetics Needed – Some people report mild discomfort for 2-3 seconds with the Swift. Anesthesia is never needed. This is in contrast to conventional wart treatments which can be very painful.
  • No Medicine or Acid Necessary – Swift stands on it’s own. We rarely need to use anything else to treat your warts.
  • No Contraindications – Swift is safe for everyone, including kids!

The protocol for Swift involves a series of up to three treatment. These treatments are separated by one month. You can expect each treatment to last for 5-10 minutes. There is minimal paring of the wart that needs to be done in the office. There are no bandages necessary after the treatment. There is also no home care that needs to be done. That means no application of medication between treatments.

The best time to come in to see is at the first sign of a plantar wart. The earlier you come in, the quicker we can start treatment with Swift to cure your plantar warts.

Common symptoms of plantar warts include:

  • A lesion on the bottom of your foot that makes you feel like you’re walking on a rock
  • Pain when you squeeze the wart from the sides
  • Small, black dots in the middle of the skin lesion
  • Over-the-counter treatments have not worked. Or they might have caused the wart to spread
  • The lesion is painful or has started to bleed
  • Discomfort when you walk on your foot warts

Warts are a common yet treatable skin condition caused by the human papillomavirus, and while they can be persistent and bothersome, innovative treatments like SWIFT therapy offer new hope for quick and effective resolution. This cutting-edge technology, with its precision and minimal invasiveness, is changing the landscape of wart treatment, providing patients with a faster, safer, and often more effective alternative to traditional methods. If you’re struggling with warts, particularly stubborn plantar warts, schedule an appointment to discuss SWIFT therapy. With the right treatment and preventive measures, you can achieve clear, healthy skin and get back to your everyday activities without discomfort or embarrassment.