SWIFT Verruca Treatment
Verrucae are a type of wart that can occur on any foot area; however, they are more frequently found on the soles and around the toes.
Verrucae often resemble a small cauliflower head with tiny black dots. Although harmless, they can be painful when present on a weight-bearing part of the foot. In addition, a callus can form over the top of the verruca, increasing the discomfort in this area.
Verrucae are very contagious and can spread from person to person by direct skin contact, affecting members of a whole family at once. You can contract it by simply walking across the same floor area as someone who already has a verruca.
The most common places to catch verrucae are swimming pools, changing room floors and communal shower areas, as the virus thrives in moist, damp environments.
If you or your family are affected by verrucae, we highly advise you to consult a podiatrist to avoid spreading the infection to other foot areas. Although there are a number of ointments and gels you can use to treat the virus, it may take months for verrucae to disappear. Professional help will ensure a much speedier recovery.
SWIFT® Verruca Microwave Therapy
Like with most skin viruses, the most effective way to treat verruca is by triggering your body’s immune system and allowing its natural healing process to clear the infected tissue.
SWIFT® Verruca Microwave Therapy uses electromagnetic waves to penetrate deep into the affected tissue not just to destroy it but also to alert the immune system of the verruca virus, activating its self-healing response.
How does SWIFT® Verruca Microwave Therapy work?
Once the verruca has been cleaned (you may have developed a layer of hard skin on top of it that will have to be removed), your podiatrist will place a handheld probe over it and target it with a dose of microwave energy. This process creates a heat shock reaction, meaning it elevates the temperature of the infected tissue. The heat not only attacks the viral cells (Langerhans cells) but activates a response of your immune system, enabling your body to recognise the verruca virus and start its own healing process to get rid of it.
The application of SWIFT® microwave therapy is straightforward. In most instances, we do a minimum of four zaps per verruca.
Most people find the treatment quite bearable and describe the feeling of the energy beam as a tolerable sting that compares to a quick needle shot. As a result, it doesn’t need local anaesthesia or dressing.
A minimum of three sessions is recommended with an interval of four weeks in between them to banish verruca. In most cases, it depends on how your body responds to the treatment.
Is SWIFT® Verruca Treatment Safe?
In terms of safety, SWIFT® verruca treatment is considered to be relatively safe, with few reported adverse effects. However, as with any medical procedure, there is always a small risk of complications.
Does SWIFT® Verruca Treatment Work?
There is some evidence to suggest that SWIFT®verruca treatment is effective, with success rates reported to be around 75% after just one treatment. However, it is important to note that the success of the treatment can vary depending on the size and location of the verruca, as well as the individual’s immune system. In general, SWIFT® verruca microwave treatment offers an 86% success rate over other most traditional verruca treatments, with no aftercare needed or unwanted side effects.
Does SWIFT® Verruca Treatment Hurt?
As for pain and discomfort, some patients report feeling a mild to moderate discomfort during the procedure, but the pain is typically short-lived and subsides quickly. Most patients are able to resume their daily activities immediately after the treatment.
When Is SWIFT® Verruca Microwave Therapy Not Suitable?
Although SWIFT® is suitable for almost anyone who suffers from verrucae, the treatment is not recommended if you have:
- Any metal pins, plates or replacement joints in your foot or ankle
- Heart problems and wear a pacemaker
- Neuropathy (nerve damage) in the feet
- Very poor circulation
- Your body doesn’t heal very well
- Diabetes but only when you have poor circulation and sensation in your feet. If you are a low risk diabetic, it is safe to proceed.
- Immunosuppressive drugs, from cancer treatment or rheumatoid arthritis because they lower the immunity
- Children under the age of 6
- Pregnant or breastfeeding as your immune system heightens and lowers during this time to protect both mother and fetus. SWIFT® might be safe, but the results might not be as successful as your body may not promote its own repair.
