SWIFT Microwave Therapy for Verrucae
SWIFT Microwave Therapy for Verrucae is a new technology, developed in the UK, which has been licensed for the general treatment of skin lesions in Podiatry and Dermatology. Swift uses microwave energy which is delivered through a specialist probe to treat the affected tissue.
SWIFT Microwave Therapy for Verrucae treatment details...
Consultation Length
Up to 30 minutes
Treatment Package Cost
£445.00 (£160.00 additional) 3 treatments, plus a 12 week follow up
How does it work?
Step 1
Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the surface and can often be difficult to treat using traditional methods, resulting in either untreated tissue or significant damage.
Step 2
Swift delivers a precise, highly controlled energy dose. As microwaves travel into the tissue, water molecules begin colliding and creating localised heat energy – quickly destroying all infected tissue within a predetermined depth.
Step 3
In just seconds the treatment is complete and the healing cascade begins immediately. Treated tissue is quickly replaced, repaired and regenerated.
What is a Verruca?
A verruca is a type of wart that occurs on the sole of the foot. Verrucae are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and produce small, raised lesions on the skin which can often be extremely painful to walk on particularly when in weight bearing areas.
How did I get a verruca?
Verrucae are transmitted from person to person, HPV prefers damp or wet environments and surfaces, so they are often transmitted in changing rooms, wet rooms or swimming pools. They can also be transmitted by contaminated objects such as files, footwear, socks and towels. When the skin is damaged or damp the host is more susceptible to picking up the virus.
It is imperative during your treatment that you isolate any methods of filing to yourself and DO NOT share with others.
What do they feel and look like?
Many of our patients describe verrucae as extremely painful but also as “embarrassing” and “a nuisance”. Verrucae can spread from host to host causing significant pain and irritation so it is important to get it treated as soon as you notice one.
Verrucae may exist as a single lesion but can also occur in multiple sites or in a mosaic like manner affecting large areas of the foot. They are often raised dots with small black dots throughout the lesion or on some occasion have small arm like projections.
How did I get a verruca?
In some cases, verrucae may go away on their own. When seen in the adult population, it is often more difficult to shift them due the immune system not being as active or respondent as that in a child.
In some cases, we advocate occlusive therapy or self-treatment using files particularly in children. However, when the lesions are very painful, treatment will often be advised.
Does it hurt?
It is not uncommon for patients to feel a sharp sensation, similar to an injection. Unlike most treatments for verruca, pain felt during the treatment quickly subsides, and only in rare cases is there any prolonged pain.
What can I do after treatment?
In some cases the treated area may feel sore but will not prevent you undertaking normal daily activities. One of the huge benefits of Swift is that dressings are not required following treatment and no Local Anaesthetic. Occasionally, we may apply some temporary padding to offload lesions that have very heavy callus and were painful to weight bear on before the treatment started.
Can anyone receive this treatment?
With a few exceptions, most people with skin lesions would be able to have this treatment. Your Podiatrist will carry out an Initial assessment prior to treatment and be able to advise you on this.
Not advised for the following people/patients:
Those deemed high risk, poor controlled diabetes, poor peripheral circulation, loss of sensation, generally unwell patients.
Metal implants in the area of treatment as it could heat up the implant.
Very young children, those under the age of 8 – more for pain reasons
Pregnant or breastfeeding, more for litigation/ethical reasons
How many treatments will I need?
This is dependent on how you respond to treatment. In most cases, you will need more than one treatment which are spaced 1 month apart. The vast majority of cases will require 3 treatments and so we deliver our SWIFT package of care as x 3 applications and x 1 follow-up appointment at 12 weeks. Your Podiatrist will be able to discuss this with you. In some cases, additional treatments may be required in cases of particularly stubborn lesions. There have been cases that have gone up to as many as 10 treatments. But the average is 3-4 treatments.
Your first appointment will need to be an Initial Consultation:
Initial Core Routine Podiatry/Chiropody Consultation
Are you currently suffering with callus (hard skin) corns and/or problematic toenails? If so you may need to see a Podiatrist for one of our Core Podiatry/Chiropody assessments and treatment.
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