Human papilloma virus (HPV)-related plantar warts are a prevalent ailment that patients seek treatment for. There are many different treatments available for adults, many of which have unimpressive outcomes, especially in the case of plantar lesions.
Skin blemishes may now be treated using a brand-new portable microwave gadget called Swift. Previous studies have shown that immunostimulatory effects can prevent HPV infection. We describe the use of a brand-new portable medical microwave device, Swift, to cure an enduring plantar wart that has not responded to various forms of therapy. (Lim et al., 2017)
How Do Plantar Warts Occur?
- Verrucas, a form of wart that develops on the bottom part of the foot, are also known as plantar warts. Since they are a type of benign tumor, they might start off extremely tiny and develop over time.
- Unlike other warts, which are raised lumps on the skin, plantar warts penetrate into the dermis of the foot. These warts are easily identifiable, have a slightly round appearance, and occasionally feature black spots on the skin's surface as well as are visible underneath the skin's surface.
- Although walking with a plantar wart on the bottom of the foot may feel uncomfortable, especially as it develops, the wart alone is not pleasant. As a result, when a wart gets bigger or when there are several of them on the bottom of a foot, most individuals desire to have them removed. (Hagon et al., 2023)
Removal Of Warts
- People can utilize a variety of wart removal techniques to get rid of plantar warts. Typically, these include a drug or surgery. The topical use of acid, which comes in a variety of forms, is a common component of treatments.
- Silver nitrate is another popular over-the-counter wart treatment that is effective for many less severe warts. (Gupta et al., 2023)
- A new method of wart treatment called swift microwave treatment is particularly effective for plantar warts. The wart is heated and removed using microwaves that are given through a probe.
- Although it may not seem like much, the gadget itself can transmit microwaves to an average depth of roughly 5 millimeters, which is sufficient to reach the roots of most plantar warts.
- Swift is safe for most patients.
- While using microwaves may cause some discomfort, practically all patients are able to resume their normal activities thereafter and start noticing improvement in the size and shape of their plantar wart. (Bristow et al., 2022)
Swift Microwave Therapy Method
- The probe is positioned over the foot wart, and a brief burst of microwave energy is administered for only several seconds. Although this could seem a little painful at first, several people claim that their pain was reduced right away.
- There are certainly no burns or outward signs of medical intervention. Once every three to four weeks, these procedures are repeated until the plantar wart resolves.
- The average patient sees the wart fully gone in less than 90 days, although the length of time required might vary depending on the extent and intensity of the infection. (Lim et al., 2017)
Swift Microwave Therapy Benefits
Swift microwave therapy offers numerous obvious advantages over traditional wart treatments.
- No dressings or bandages are necessary
- The patient is free to resume all routine activities and even go swimming.
- A small amount of pain almost negligible.
- In contrast to other treatments, no anaesthetic or numbness is required.
- This treatment works swiftly and easily, and it is also quite effective. (Bristow et al., 2022)
Swift Therapy Hurts Or Not?
It may hurt when the wart heats up quickly to 42–45C. This only persists for a short period of time. The temperature range will not result in any serious harm to tissues or scarring because it is only a few degrees hotter than a hot bath. (Gupta et al., 2023)
Precautions
Please let your podiatrist know if you have any of the following conditions:
- Diabetes
- Tingling or numbness in the feet
- Peripheral vascular disease or inadequate blood flow
- History of severe or persistent infections, such as cellulitis
- Any illness that compromises your immune system
- Pregnancy
- Internal defibrillators, pacemakers, and metal implants. (Hagon et al., 2023)
Swift: Is It Safe?
Yes! For the last few decades, microwaves have been employed in various therapeutic applications, including the treatment of cancer. They also appear in daily items like Wi-Fi and wireless Bluetooth earphones as well as kitchen appliances.
Because microwaves are a type of non-ionizing radiation, they cannot harm our DNA. Swift mixes them with minimal energy, concentrating the treatment on a specific area to only impact the wart. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration has given Swift its seal of approval for safe usage. (Gupta et al., 2023)
Conclusion:
Swift microwave treatment is a brand-new, extremely successful, and FDA-approved treatment option offered by Dr. Norshae Robinson and her team at Meridian Podiatry for those with plantar warts. Swift wart treatment eliminates warts swiftly and virtually painlessly, in contrast to certain alternative treatments of plantar warts that can be uncomfortable and may not always be effective.
There are several reasons why a patient would desire to have warts removed, but plantar warts in particular can be aggravating and challenging to manage, particularly if they're chronic. Although wart removal frequently requires several treatments, it's beneficial if the procedure is quick and does not interfere with your daily activities.
References:
Bristow, I., Joshi, S., Williamson, J., & Ardern-Jones, M. (2022). Post marketing surveillance for microwave treatment of plantar and common warts in adults. medRxiv, 2022-02.
Gupta, A. K., Wang, T., Cooper, E. A., Conenello, R. M., & Bristow, I. R. (2023). The treatment of plantar warts using microwave—A review of 85 consecutive cases in the United States. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Bristow, I., Lim, W. C., Lee, A., Holbrook, D., Savelyeva, N., Thomson, P., ... & Ardern-Jones, M. R. (2017). Microwave therapy for cutaneous human papilloma virus infection. European Journal of Dermatology, 27, 511-518.
Hagon, W., Hagon, J., Noble, G., Brenton-Rule, A., Stewart, S., & Bristow, I. (2023). Microwave therapy for the treatment of plantar warts. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 16(1), 1-6.
