SWIFT Plantar Wart Treatment
Brunswick & Sandringham

Brunswick and Sandringham Foot Clinics offers SWIFT Plantar Wart treatment to residents of and visitors to greater Melbourne and beyond.

What is SWIFT?

SWIFT is new technology for the general treatment of skin lesions in podiatry and dermatology. SWIFT was developed in the UK and has been approved for use in the USA, the EU, Canada and in Australia. SWIFT therapy treatment uses microwave energy which is delivered through a probe applied to the skin to treat the affected tissue.

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The microwaves generated by the SWIFT machine excite the water molecules and cause friction. This friction heats up the skin cells to 42-45 C° which puts the virally infected cells of the wart into a state of stress. The stressed cells release “danger signaling” heat shock proteins which induces maturation of Langerhans cells and enhances their migration to the lymph nodes. Cytotoxic T cells migrate to the epidermis and begin to destroy all virally infected cells (Ardern-Jones, M., et al. (2016)).

Click To See Photos Of SWIFT microwave thermotherapy

Click on the images for more detail.

1. Dexter VP pre-debridement — 1. VP pre-debridement

2. Dexter VP during debridement — 2. VP during debridement

Dexter VP post-debridement — 3. VP post-debridement

4. Dexter preparing SWIFT for use — 4. Preparing SWIFT for use

5. Dexter VP administering SWIFT — 5. VP administering SWIFT

7. VPs post-debridement - sometimes they just take a very long time to be resolved — 7. VPs post-debridement – sometimes they just take a very long time to be resolved

9. Four VPs and a single site of blanching after the initial application of SWIFT — 8. Four VPs and a single site of blanching after the initial application of SWIFT

8. Four VPs and 4 sites of blanching after the final application of SWIFT — 9. Four VPs and 4 sites of blanching after the final application of SWIFT

How does it feel?

When you present for treatment with SWIFT, the overlying thick skin (callus) will be reduced (debrided) using a scalpel. A photograph will sometimes be taken using a digital microscope to help track the progress of the treatment. Treatment is administered in 3 to five, 2 second bursts at each treatment site. Like many treatments for skin lesions, some discomfort may be experienced. Whilst pain levels vary from person to person, most people undergoing SWIFT liken it to the pain of a small but hot needle, lasting for no more than 3 seconds.

The pain then quickly subsides. Whilst the skin will not suffer burns at 45 C deg, because your body senses danger it will quickly trigger a pain response. This is why the pain disappears so quickly. It is unusual for there to be any more than a slight redness and warmth at the site of treatment. Only in rare cases is there any prolonged pain. A post-procedural dressing is rarely necessary.

How many treatments are required?

Typically, treatment is over three months with each treatment 4 weeks apart. Like the first visit, the wart will be debrided, and treated with SWIFT each time if required. Compared with traditional treatments such as chemicals, acids or freezing, the risk of adverse events such as blistering, bruising and post treatment pain are significantly reduced using SWIFT. It is however noteworthy that these reactions may occur in some patients, but this is rare. Unlike some traditional treatments, SWIFT wart treatments are safe to use on breastfeeding patients.

Where and when can I book for SWIFT microwave thermotherapy?

SWIFT is available every business day at the Brunswick Foot Clinic but is currently only available every 4th Saturday at the Sandringham Foot Clinic.

If you would like more information on how to treat plantar warts, please call our Brunswick Foot Clinic on (03) 9387 8555 or Sandringham Foot Clinic (03) 9555 6555 or click below to book online.