PLANTAR WART TREATMENT

What Is A Verruca?

Verrucae are plantar warts that commonly occur on the soles of the feet or around the toe area. They are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is highly contagious through direct person to person contact. There are various forms of HPV which all relate to various parts of the human body.

What Is SWIFT®?

Swift is a new technology, developed in the UK, which has been licenced for the general treatment of Verruca and skin lesions in Podiatry and Dermatology. Swift uses microwave energy which is delivered through a special probe applied to the skin to treat the affected tissue. Microwaves have been in use for over 30 years, and are employed globally in the effective treatment of cancer. The same fundamental power that powers Swift, is also being used in the treatment of lung, liver, kidney and breast cancer in countries all over the world.

What Can I Expect?

Before your treatment, your podiatrist may remove some of the overlying hard skin on the verruca. The Swift probe is held in contact with the skin, and the treatment lasts approximately 3- 5 seconds. Pain levels vary from patient to patient, but most people liken the sensation to a pain similar to an injection or scratch lasting 2 – 3 seconds then quickly subsiding. There is no need for an anaesthetic and no need for a dressing.

What Happens After The Treatment?

In some cases the area may feel tender, but will not prevent you from undertaking normal daily activities.

How Many Treatments will I Need?

This depends on how you respond to treatment. In some cases, you may need more than three session (these are usually 4 weeks apart depending on the response). Your podiatrist will be able to discuss this with you.

Please Note: NO single treatment for verrucae / verruca warts is 100% effective, and there is no guarantee that the verrucae / verruca warts will not return.