Revolutionary Verucca Treatment - Swift

Swift – The Revolutionary Verucca Treatment

Most of us will have veruccas – also sometimes known as plantar warts – at some time in our lives. Veruccas are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), as are other types of warts. Warts and veruccas can be contagious and love nothing better than damp skin. Veruccas can be uncomfortable and painful, especially when on the soles of the feet. Eventually, the body will fight off the HPV virus and the veruccas will disappear, but this can take months. 

Conventional Verucca Treatments

The problem with a lot of verucca treatments currently on the market is that they’ve been proven to be fairly ineffective. A 2014 American study looked at the three main methods used by doctors and parents to treat warts and veruccas – salicylic acid, duct tape and cryotherapy. Duct tape was found to be no more effective than doing nothing and leaving the veruccas to get better on their own. Cryotherapy – freezing the veruccas off using liquid nitrogen – is effective, but can produce a range of nasty side effects, especially in children. Treatments might have to be repeated several times to get rid of the verucca completely. Salicylic acid is effective when applied directly to the wart, but can take 12 weeks to get rid of veruccas completely and requires compliance from the patient.

How Swift Is Different?

Swift uses a different approach to treating veruccas. Swift uses the same microwave technology which has been used to treat cancer for 40 years or more, but which has only recently been applied to dermatology and podiatry. The microwaves penetrate into the tissue surrounding the verucca, destroying infected tissue quickly, painlessly and without smell or smoke. The technology has been fully tested to ensure that it conforms to the highest safety standards, and approved for use in the UK. Patients don’t need anaesthetic. It would be a lie to say that the treatment is totally painless, but it hurts no more than a quick scratch, and the pain subsides quickly. Each verucca is treated in a matter of seconds. Unlike more conventional treatments, the microwaves are concentrated in the verucca tissue only, and won’t affect the surrounding skin. The technology is safe and proven over several decades. Many patients find that they only need one treatment to see a huge improvement in their foot condition, unlike other treatments which take weeks or even months. 

Is Swift suitable for me?

At Foot Medic we’ve linked up with the makers of Swift to deliver the treatment to our patients. Most people who come to us with problem veruccas can try the Swift treatment to see whether it helps. There are a few groups such as type 1 diabetics or people with cuts on their feet who might not be suitable for the treatment, but come along to the clinic, grab a coffee and we can talk through your treatment options. We’re very excited about the results which our patients are already seeing from the Swift treatment – why not give it a try?

Using Salicylic Acid to treat Veruccae - get the most from your treatment

Application of salicylic acid will leave the site white and macerated

Salicylic applications are widely available from shops and pharmacies. It has been used as a traditional treatment for veruccae for years. The packs which are available to buy are typically about 12% in strength. This includes brands like bazooka etc.

Podiatrists use formulations which are much more potent that this, sometimes more than 5 times stronger. These preparations are not available to buy and can only be given to you by a suitably qualified person such as a podiatrist in this instance.

Before applying any acid or caustic based treatment the podiatrist will remove the thick layer of skin which covers the actual verucca using a scalpel. This is called sharp debridment. It is common for the verucca to bleed during sharp debridment so you shouldn’t be alarmed if this is the case. By debriding the verucca the podiatrist can treat the seat of the growth, at the capillary bed level.

All verucca treatments will, in one way or another, destroy tissue locally. There is no single treatment which has shown to be more effective over another. That's why we will explain each of the available treatments to you and elect the one most suitable for your lifestyle.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your salicylic acid treatment.

• Keep the site dry. If you get the site or the dressing wet you will not get the desired effect from the treatment. Use plastic shower seals if you need to but it is important to keep it dry. 

• Ensure to follow up with your podiatrist if they have asked you to, and if a review appointment has been made for you it is important that you attend. This is because we have applied acid to your foot, it’s important that we check to ensure you are not having any unexpected side effects or burn.
   
• If applying a home treatment on the advice of the podiatrist it is a good idea to review at 2 or 3 weekly intervals to check your progress.
   
• Remember, your veruccae are caused by a virus. Even if the podiatrist can get rid of your verucca this time doesn’t mean that you won’t get another in the future.
   
• If you experience pain associated with your treatment call us for an appointment.
   
• Lastly, remember veruccae are self limiting and harmless. They are annoying but you will not come to any harm as the result of a veruccae. They are not linked to hygiene but can be passed on from one person to another, so it’s a good idea to cover your veruccae with veruccae socks when swimming or using communal facilities.