Plantar warts are a type of skin infection on the bottom of your feet, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The infection causes rough bumps to form which may be uncomfortable and painful.
Normal standing and walking tends to force them into the skin, and the pressure causes pain to the affected area. Calluses formed by the body’s attempt to prevent spread of warts can also cause pain when walking. Plantar warts are harmless and may go away, but in many cases, they are too painful to ignore. Plantar warts may also grow together in a cluster, known as mosaic warts.
When the warts do not go away on their own and are painful, it’s time to see our Chiropodist. At BeacHealth, we use an incredibly successful treatment application called “Swift”.
Unlike historically ineffective destructive methods of wart removal (freezing, salicylic acid, surgery, laser, etc.) Swift targets the root cause of the wart, the HPV virus. Microwave energy is introduced into the skin, heating cells to between 42°C and 45°C.
This heat initiates an immune cascade which allows the body to detect and attack the HPV virus, eliminating this painful condition from the body.
Treatment protocol includes an average of 3-4 visits with each treatment lasting just 5-10 minutes. There is no need for local anesthetic, site preparation is minimal and there is no need for post-procedural dressings. Patients are typically back on their feet immediately following the procedure and can continue on with their daily life, making this a preferred and efficient treatment.
Visits are spaced four weeks apart to coincide with the body’s immune cycle, with a follow up appointment scheduled at twelve weeks following the final treatment.
Complete resolution depends on the strength of the patient’s immune response so younger people may experience a faster resolution, where the elderly with more recalcitrant warts may sometimes require additional treatment.
SWIFT™ is Health Canada approved. Cost for treatment is based on the use of this advanced technology and the equipment required to administer it.
Our Chiropodist Lada Milos Lee is here to address any of your concerns.