More often than we’d like to admit, our feet receive far less love than they deserve. Throughout our lives, they carry us where we need to go at whichever pace we want! We get so used to our mobility that we take our feet for granted, and only notice how comfortable they make us when some sort of discomfort arrives… enter plantar warts. Yikes!
What are plantar warts?
Plantar warts are noncancerous skin growths that appear on the soles of the feet, usually on the weight-bearing areas such as the heels or balls of the feet. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through small cuts or abrasions on the bottom of the foot.
These warts can be painful, especially when pressure is applied to them, such as when standing or walking. As such, they can very much limit our mobility and cause significant discomfort—even while you’re sitting still! They often have a rough and grainy appearance, and may even have tiny black dots in the center. These are clotted blood vessels. Given its viral nature, plantar warts can spread to other parts of the foot or to other people through contact with the virus. This is why it’s important to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to alleviate the pain and avoid spreading.
Symptoms and Treatments for Stubborn Plantar Warts
Some of the most common symptoms of plantar warts include:
- a small, rough growth on the sole of your foot
- a grainy or rough texture
- tiny black dots on the surface of the wart
- pain or discomfort when standing or walking
- affected area may feel tender when squeezed
Treatment options for plantar warts often include over-the-counter salicylic acid patches or freezing gels. Prescription medications and procedures such as cryotherapy, laser therapy, or surgical removal are also available. Stubborn plantar warts in particular might not even respond to OTC remedies and at times, doing these treatments yourself may cause more harm than good.
The SWIFT Treatment
In order to grasp the revolutionary nature of Swift treatment in comparison to other methods—(OTC or prescription ones), it is necessary to understand the challenging characteristics of plantar warts that make them difficult to treat. These warts are caused by a viral infection, typically fought off by our immune system. However, the specific strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) responsible for the development of plantar warts reside in the upper layers of the skin, where they evade our usually effective immune defenses. This allows the virus to thrive and cause stubborn warts.
Traditional treatments for plantar warts work externally by removing the affected skin. SWIFT Treatment, on the other hand, takes a different approach by stimulating the body’s internal defenses to attack the warts. Think of it as a mechanical push to our natural and built-in shields.
The SWIFT device employs low levels of microwave energy directed into the wart, generating heat and causing friction within the cells. As a result, the cells respond by emitting signals that alert the immune system of the presence of HPV infection. This then prompts the body’s defenses to take action! Our immune system will then actively seek out all areas in which HPV is present, resulting in the elimination of warts—even those that have not been identified yet.
This unique approach means that all warts in a patient’s foot can be treated with a single application. The effectiveness of SWIFT treatment has been remarkable, with studies showing success rates of 77-85% in treating plantar warts, including cases where other treatments had previously failed. Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you experience relief from SWIFT treatments.