Plantar warts can start off as small, barely detectable lesions on the bottoms of your feet. But that doesn’t mean you should wait for them to become a bigger problem. You see, these warts develop when human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the skin, often through tiny cuts or weak spots on the bottom of the foot. Over time, they may grow larger, spread and become painful; they can also become more difficult to treat.

At Foot Specialists of Long Island, Dr. Mark Gasparini and Dr. Novneet Chhabra offer SWIFT therapy, an advanced treatment for plantar warts that uses microwave energy to help your immune system recognize and fight the virus responsible for that wart’s formation.

One of the most important things to know about plantar warts is that earlier treatment is generally better. SWIFT treatment is more effective when warts have formed relatively recently, before they have had time to become larger, deeper, or more established. If you notice a suspicious growth on the bottom of your foot, coming in sooner may make treatment simpler and more successful.

Key Takeaways

• Treating plantar warts with SWIFT Therapy provides a non-invasive solution by helping your body recognize and fight the underlying viral infection that causes their formation
• Warts will resolve in a shorter time period if you seek treatment shortly after their formation
• Non-invasive SWIFT therapy does not require any down-time or post-treatment care instructions. You can resume normal activities immediately after your appointment

How Does SWIFT Therapy Treat Plantar Warts?

Traditional wart treatments often focus on destroying or removing the visible wart, also damaging the surrounding healthy tissue in the process. But SWIFT takes a different approach.

The device delivers a controlled dose of microwave energy directly to the affected tissue. This energy creates a localized response designed to alert your body's immune system to the presence of the HPV virus.

Instead of simply removing the wart’s surface, SWIFT encourages your immune system to recognize and respond to the virus that caused it to develop. As such, once we resolve your wart with SWIFT, it’s unlikely to return.

Treatment typically involves a series of three to four sessions, spaced apart by several weeks. The exact number of treatments needed will depend on factors such as the size of the wart, how long it has been present, and how your body responds.

Why Treat Plantar Warts Early?

It can be tempting to ignore a small plantar wart, especially if it’s not yet painful. However, waiting may allow the wart to become more established.

Recently developed warts may respond better to treatment than warts that have been present for a long time. Older plantar warts can sometimes become thicker, spread to surrounding areas, or develop clusters of additional warts.

Getting evaluated early can also help confirm that the growth in question actually is a wart. Corns, calluses, and certain other skin conditions can sometimes resemble plantar warts, so an in-office evaluation is key to getting proper care.

If you think you have developed a wart, it’s worth requesting an appointment in the office, so we can examine you right away instead of waiting to see how large or uncomfortable it becomes.

SWIFT Treatment Requires No Downtime

One of the biggest advantages of SWIFT therapy is how little it interferes with your everyday life.

With this non-invasive treatment, we don’t have to cut away the wart or create an open wound. Because surrounding healthy tissue is not intentionally destroyed, you don’t have to deal with the wound care and activity restrictions associated with some other wart treatments.

There is no downtime following a SWIFT treatment session.

Patients can typically leave the office and immediately return to their normal daily activities following therapy. You can walk on your foot, go back to work or school, and continue with your regular routine.

There are also no complicated bandage changes or extensive at-home wound-care instructions following a typical SWIFT session.

SWIFT vs. Traditional Plantar Wart Treatments

Traditionally, we’ve treated plantar warts using options such as topical medications, freezing, acids, or procedures that remove or destroy wart tissue (as well as the healthy tissue that surrounds it.)

These approaches may be appropriate in certain situations, but stubborn plantar warts can sometimes return after treatment.

SWIFT is different because the goal is not simply to remove what you see on the surface. The treatment is designed to stimulate an immune response against the underlying HPV infection, making it unlikely to return after the completion of therapy.

Another important difference is convenience. Because SWIFT does not create the type of tissue damage associated with some destructive wart treatments, there is no required recovery period after an appointment.

What Happens During SWIFT Treatment?

SWIFT appointments are performed in the office and are generally brief.

We apply the SWIFT applicator directly to the affected area. The device then delivers controlled microwave energy for a very short period of time.

Patients may experience a brief sensation of heat or discomfort while the energy is delivered, but the treatment itself happens quickly.

How Many SWIFT Treatments Will I Need?

Every plantar wart is different.

Typically, SWIFT treatment plans involve approximately three to four sessions, often spaced about four weeks apart. Your podiatrist will recommend a schedule based on the characteristics of your wart and your response to treatment.

Because SWIFT relies in part on your immune response, the wart does not necessarily disappear immediately after a treatment session. Instead, changes may occur gradually as your immune system responds.

The age of the wart can also matter. This is another reason we encourage patients not to wait months or years before seeking treatment. Addressing a newer wart gives treatment a better opportunity to work before the lesion becomes more established.

Is SWIFT Therapy Right for You?

SWIFT therapy is a great option for patients with plantar warts, even those whose warts have persisted despite previous treatment.

However, it is not appropriate for everyone. Patients with certain implanted electronic devices or other medical considerations may require an alternative treatment. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll review your medical history and examine the lesion before recommending SWIFT.

If you’ve noticed a new growth on the bottom of your foot, or if you’ve been struggling with a stubborn plantar wart that won’t go away, schedule an evaluation with our podiatrists in Long Island today. When we see you in our Massapequa office, we can determine if SWIFT therapy is appropriate for you.