You glance down at your feet and notice a small, rough bump on the sole of your foot. At first, you think it's just a callus. But then you realize—it's a wart. Plantar warts are a common foot problem, but that doesn't make them any less frustrating or embarrassing to deal with. Over-the-counter and at-home treatments often provide lackluster results, and it can take months or even years for the wart to finally disappear on its own.
If you're tired of dealing with unsightly and sometimes painful plantar warts, it's time to discover a revolutionary treatment option: Swift therapy. This cutting-edge technology is now available at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists. Dr. Craig H. Thomajan and his expert team of Austin podiatrists are excited to offer this state-of-the-art wart removal treatment to help patients get back on their feet.
Keep reading to learn more about the science behind Swift treatment and how it works to quickly and effectively eliminate plantar warts.
What Causes Plantar Warts?
Before we dive into the specifics of Swift treatment, it's important to understand what causes plantar warts in the first place. Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus enters the body through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin on the bottom of the feet.
The HPV strain that causes plantar warts thrives in warm, moist environments. That's why you have a higher risk of contracting the virus if you walk barefoot around swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers. If you have a cut or scrape on the bottom of your foot, it makes it that much easier for HPV to infiltrate the outer layer of skin.
Once HPV enters the skin, it triggers the rapid growth of skin cells on the outer layer of skin. This results in the grainy, rough bumps we recognize as warts. Plantar warts most commonly develop on the weight-bearing parts of the foot, such as the heels and balls of the feet. In some cases, tiny black dots appear in the center of the wart. These are actually small, clotted blood vessels.
Plantar warts can occur at any age, but they are especially common in children, teenagers, and young adults. People with weakened immune systems also have a higher risk of developing plantar warts. It's important to note that plantar warts are contagious and can spread through direct contact or by touching surfaces contaminated with HPV.
How Does Swift Treatment Work?
Swift is a cutting-edge, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved technology that uses microwave energy to treat plantar warts. Microwave therapy has been used for decades in other areas of medicine, including cardiology, oncology, and dermatology. Now, this trusted technology is being applied to podiatry with excellent results.
Here's how Swift treatment works its magic:
- Precise Energy Delivery: During a Swift treatment, your Austin podiatrist uses a handheld device to deliver low-dose microwave energy to the wart. The device never actually touches your skin. Instead, it hovers slightly above the wart's surface to precisely target the affected tissue without impacting the surrounding healthy skin.
- Generated Heat: As the microwave energy penetrates the skin, it generates heat and friction. Swift treatment heats the wart to between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius. This heat is sustained for two seconds before dissipating.
- Activating the Immune Response: The heat created by microwave energy tricks your body into thinking that the wart is a real threat, similar to an infection or foreign invader. This triggers your immune system to target the wart and attack the HPV virus. By enlisting the help of your body's natural defense mechanisms, Swift treatment empowers you to eliminate the wart from the inside out.
- Quick and Easy Treatment: The beauty of Swift procedure is that it can be performed right in your podiatrist's office. The whole appointment takes only 10-15 minutes, and the actual Swift treatment lasts just seconds. Patients often describe a slight heating sensation during the treatment, but it is generally well-tolerated by both children and adults.
- Destroying the Virus: While other wart removal treatments only treat the wart on a surface level, Swift treatment attacks the root cause—HPV. By harnessing your immune response and targeting the virus, Swift helps to prevent warts from recurring in the future. Most patients need just three to four Swift treatments spaced about four weeks apart to fully eradicate their plantar warts.
The Science-Backed Benefits of Swift Treatment
So why choose Swift treatment over traditional wart treatment options like cryotherapy, acid treatments, or laser therapy? The answer lies in the unique science and technology behind Swift:
- Backed by Clinical Studies: Swift treatment isn't just another fad or gimmick. It has been clinically proven to be an effective solution for plantar warts. A recent study found that Swift therapy resulted in a 75.9% clearance rate in patients with plantar warts.
- Harnesses the Power of the Immune System: One of the most impressive aspects of Swift treatment is its ability to activate the body's immune response. This means that Swift doesn't just treat the symptoms of the wart—it actually attacks the underlying virus. By stimulating the immune system, Swift treatment helps patients develop long-term immunity against HPV and reduces the risk of warts returning.
- Safe for Both Adults and Children: Swift treatment delivers such a low dose of microwave energy that it is completely safe for both adult and pediatric patients. The microwaves only penetrate about 3 millimeters into the skin, so there is no risk of damaging deeper tissues. The treatment itself feels similar to a small scratch or injection, so it is easily tolerated by most patients.
- No Downtime Required: Other wart removal treatments often require extensive recovery periods. Patients may need to stay off their feet while the skin heals. With Swift treatment, you can get back to your normal activities immediately. There is no wound or scar tissue after treatment.
- Covered by Most Insurance Plans: Not only is Swift treatment backed by science—it is also backed by most insurance companies. Insurance plans often cover the cost of Swift wart removal, making this an accessible option for many patients. Of course, checking with your individual plan is always best to understand your benefits.
Swift Treatment at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists
At Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists, we are proud to be at the forefront of podiatric medicine. Dr. Craig H. Thomajan has over 20 years of experience as a foot and ankle specialist. He leads a skilled team of Austin podiatrists committed to providing patients with the most advanced, evidence-based treatments available, including Swift therapy for plantar warts.
If you are struggling with painful or embarrassing plantar warts, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at our Austin podiatry practice. Dr. Thomajan will carefully examine your warts and review your medical history to determine if Swift treatment is right for you. In most cases, he can perform your first Swift treatment the very same day.
