SWIFT microwave therapy is a new treatment option for plantar warts that provides effective and lasting relief by empowering your body’s own immune system. In this post, we explain how SWIFT works by breaking down the technology that powers this plantar wart treatment option.
What is SWIFT Microwave Therapy? ![before and after swift microwave therapy]()
For years, podiatrists had a limited number of treatment options when it came to plantar warts. They could use salicylic acid, (cryotherapy) or high-energy laser therapy to get rid of those pesky lesions that develop due to a form of HPV infection on the soles of your feet. Recently, however, studies revealed that microwave therapy could offer a more effective solution to plantar warts.
Why is that the case? According to the research, “Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic non-ionising radiation between 300 MHz-300 GHz.” When you apply that microwave to your skin, that increases the tissue temperature “to a hyperthermic range (41°-44°), which renders tissue less capable of dissipating heat.” In turn, it causes enough just enough damage to skin and cells that it stimulates your immune response. Furthermore, when the cells infected by the HPV virus that causes warts are heated, they help your immune system identify the invader, helping prevent future wart development.
How Safe is Microwave Therapy?
While we say that SWIFT is a newer treatment option for plantar warts, microwave energy has been used safely and effectively in clinical settings for at least 30 years. SWIFT microwaves operate at a maximum of 8GHz, a safe frequency range that can not damage your DNA. It delivers less energy to your skin than laser therapy; it only provides enough energy to heat up the water molecules in your skin in order to kickstart your body’s natural immune response. That is why SWIFT is an FDA-approved plantar wart treatment option now available at Optimum Podiatry in Powder Springs, Georgia.
How SWIFT Works Compared to Traditional Wart Treatments
SWIFT therapy for plantar warts has several key advantages when compared to other treatment options. First, microwaves travel in straight lines, allowing podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans to provide more targeted Smyrna plantar wart treatment. In fact, wart resolution rates with SWIFT hover around 83%, compared to just 45% with cryotherapy and 13% with salicylic acid. Plus, the treatment is delivered with minimal discomfort; it doesn’t break the skin, so you don’t have to worry about dressings or scarring risks afterward—in fact, SWIFT eliminates the risks of bleeding, ulceration and secondary infections associated with other plantar wart treatments. Best of all, unlike laser therapy, SWIFT microwave therapy doesn’t produce smoke or vapors during the treatment process. As such, you don’t have to worry about sending HPV-infected particles into the air, increasing your risk for viral spread and the development of additional warts.
How SWIFT Works for You
SWIFT microwave therapy can be delivered directly to the site of your wart using a single-use applicator tip that eliminates the risk of cross-contamination between patients. The wattage of energy use can be controlled so that treatment can be tailored to suit your comfort level. Many patients report discomfort during the treatment process, but it resolves once the application is complete. Most patients will need three SWIFT treatments, spaced by at least one month, in order to completely resolve their warts. But the timing and number of treatments will be determined on a case- by-case basis.
What are the Side Effects of SWIFT Microwave Therapy?
Side effects associated with this treatment are minimal. But you may notice redness or blistering following treatment. Additionally, you may experience pain during treatment that typically resolves as soon as your session is complete.
Who Can Choose this Plantar Wart Treatment?
SWIFT microwave therapy is a good choice for patients with painful plantar warts that have not responded to other treatment options. It is also a good choice for diabetic patients for whom other treatment options may not be safe. Children and young adults can choose SWIFT, but it is not recommended for patients with pacemakers, since the microwave energy can interfere with the device’s functioning.
Choosing the Best Smyrna Plantar Wart Treatment
Located in Powder Springs, Dr. Alvin Cowans provides quality foot care to patients in Smyrna, Marietta, Mableton, Kennesaw, Dallas, Hiram, Acworth and Lithia Springs. When it comes to resolving stubborn plantar warts, earlier intervention will help resolve your lesions at a faster rate. Contact our office by calling 770-727-0614 or by following this link to request an appointment. When you come into the office we can review your candidacy for SWIFT microwave therapy and provide an appropriate treatment plan to safely and effectively resolve your pesky plantar warts.
