We see many children with plantar warts in our Smyrna pediatric podiatrist practice. When these children come in with painful warts on the bottom of their feet, our goal is to resolve the issue without causing them significant discomfort. As such, we often recommend pediatric SWIFT therapy for these young patients.
What Is Swift Pediatric Therapy? ![A child's bare feet]()
Swift is a plantar wart treatment that stimulates your body’s immune system with microwave energy; once activated, you’re able to fight the underlying HPV virus that causes wart formation. Over time, warts resolve due to the power of your own immune system. With SWIFT pediatric therapy, we simply use this technology to treat children plantar warts.
Is Swift Therapy Safe for Children of all Ages?
SWIFT therapy for plantar warts is considered safe for children of all ages. It is a non-invasive treatment option that does not cause damage to any of the soft tissue surrounding the wart, and it can be delivered without the use of needles or incisions, making it a more comfortable approach for many children.
However, the microwave energy can cause mild discomfort during the treatment application. As such, we typically recommend using SWIFT pediatric therapy for children above the age of 8. Children younger than 8 may be good candidates for this treatment, but we will need to make additional considerations before recommending this course of therapy. Specifically, we will need to consider your child’s pain tolerance to ensure they will be calm and comfortable during treatment.
Preparing Your Child for Pediatric SWIFT Therapy
If you decide to treat children's plantar warts with SWIFT, Smyrna pediatric podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans will help you prepare for your appointment. At least one week prior to treatment, you should discontinue any over-the-counter wart treatments. On the day of treatment, avoid applying topical numbing products to the treatment area—they won’t be necessary. Instead, explain to your child what to expect prior to the appointment. Remain calm during the very brief treatment to help them cope with momentary discomfort. Some patients find it helpful to use countdowns when undergoing pediatric SWIFT therapy—the treatment lasts just seconds, and this technique can help them remain calm and comfortable.
SWIFT Efficacy Rates
SWIFT pediatric therapy is highly effective; even in children with recalcitrant warts, the clearance rate with microwave therapy is close to 69%, according to this study. Additionally, many children are more receptive to this treatment option because, compared to traditional plantar wart treatment options, SWIFT is more comfortable and less invasive.
Finding the Best Care for Children with Plantar Warts
When your child’s foot is in pain, and you’re in need of medical support, you want a pediatric podiatrist who prioritizes comfort, compassion, and safety. At Optimum Podiatry, we provide customized treatment plans and detailed explanations of every approach to pediatric foot care. So, if your child has been dealing with painful plantar warts, we’re here to help. Contact our office by calling 770-727-0614 or by following this link to make an appointment. When you come into the office, we’ll provide a SWIFT pediatric therapy consultation to determine if this is your best treatment option.
