Smyrna podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans offers multiple forms of plantar wart treatment options. Many patients choosing between SWIFT vs laser wart removal struggle to choose their best plantar wart treatment? To help make that choice, we break down each treatment’s efficacy rate, comfort level, treatment time and recovery differences.

SWIFT vs Laser Wart Removal: Efficacy Rates A laser treating the foot

Studies reveal that SWIFT therapy for plantar warts has a success rate of up to 86%, even when treating stubborn or recalcitrant lesions. Similarly, laser wart removal has a clearance rate of between 70 and 90%, depending on the type of laser involved in treatment.

Relative Comfort Level

Many patients worry that SWIFT therapy will be painful. Now, during SWIFT therapy sessions, you may experience mild discomfort. However, it should resolve shortly after your session is complete. Your podiatrist can also reduce the energy level during your session to make treatment more comfortable. Laser wart removal can also cause mild discomfort during treatment—patients often report a stinging or burning sensation. But, like SWIFT therapy, the discomfort resolves shortly after treatment and is fairly mild in nature.

Treatment Timeline

When choosing between SWIFT vs laser wart removal, the best plantar wart treatment for you may be the one that clears your lesions quickly. Most patients will need three to four SWIFT sessions to resolve their warts, and each session will be spaced apart by about four weeks. As such, it may take three or four months for you to see complete wart clearance with SWIFT. Laser wart removal also requires three to four treatment sessions, however they may require less spacing between sessions, leading to a shorter timeline to recovery.

SWIFT vs Laser Wart Removal: Aftercare, Side Effects and Recurrence Rates

SWIFT therapy does not create any wounds. You don’t have to follow any post-treatment aftercare instructions, and you can resume normal activities immediately. There are no known side-effects or associated risks. And, for patients who achieve complete wart clearance with SWIFT, the recurrence rate is less than 1%. In contrast, laser wart treatment can create wounds that blister or bleed. You’ll need to apply antibacterial cream to the treatment site, and you may need to clean and cover the wound, changing the dressing once a day. (Or more often, if showering.) There is a risk of changes in skin color, infection or scarring with laser wart removal. And the recurrence rate following laser treatment for plantar warts varies by laser type, ranging from 3% to 30%.

Choosing Your Best Plantar Wart Treatment

At Optimum Podiatry, we prefer SWIFT vs laser wart removal because of its superior safety profile and lower recurrence rate. While this treatment may not be ideal for every patient, most people with plantar warts—even children—can enjoy wart clearance with SWIFT. To learn more, just contact our office at 770-727-0614 or follow this link to request an appointment.

Get Your Feet Looking Good and Feeling Good, Too at Optimum Podiatry in Powder Springs, GA

Visit Dr. Alvin Cowans at Optimum Podiatry located in the community of Lost Mountain in Powder Springs, GA.  Dr. Alvin Cowans is a foot and ankle expert and board certified foot surgeon. As part of his skin and nail care podiatric services, Dr. Cowans treats a variety of skin and nail conditions in patients of all ages and abilities in his Powder Springs office, including, toenail fungus, warts, ingrown toenails, dry and cracked skin, and athlete's foot. Optimum Podiatry also serves patients throughout Cobb County and Paulding County, including Marietta, Smyrna, Mableton, Kennesaw, Austell, Dallas, Hiram, Acworth, and Lithia Springs.

Call 770-727-0614 to schedule your appointment or contact us to get started.