Verrucae can be surprisingly stubborn. You may have tried pharmacy treatments, salicylic acid, home remedies or other approaches, only to find that the verruca is still there. For some people, the problem is more than cosmetic: a verruca on a weight-bearing part of the foot can become uncomfortable or painful, particularly when walking or exercising.
Verrucae are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can enter the skin through tiny breaks or abrasions. The body’s immune system does not always recognise the virus as something it needs to fight, which is one reason some verrucae can persist despite repeated treatment.
If conventional approaches haven’t worked, it may be worth discussing alternative options with a podiatrist. At Park Road Podiatry in Coventry, one treatment we offer for persistent verrucae is Swift microwave therapy.
How Is Swift Microwave Therapy Different?
Unlike treatments that work by chemically breaking down wart tissue or freezing the surface, Swift uses a carefully controlled dose of microwave energy to target the affected tissue beneath the skin.
The aim isn’t simply to remove the visible verruca. Instead, the treatment stimulates an immune response, helping your body recognise the HPV infection and begin clearing it naturally. Over the following days and weeks, the immune system can continue working against the infection while the skin gradually returns to normal.
Swift treatment itself only takes a few minutes and does not involve cutting, freezing or breaking the skin. Some patients experience a brief sensation of discomfort during treatment, but this normally lasts only a few seconds. There is also no need for dressings or a period of downtime, so you can generally carry on with your day afterwards.
You can learn more about how verrucae are treated at Park Road Podiatry and the different options available if you’re unsure which approach is suitable for you.
Could Swift Be Right for Your Verruca?
Swift Microwave Therapy can be particularly useful to consider when a verruca has proved difficult to treat or has continued to return. A typical course involves several short treatments, usually spaced a few weeks apart, allowing time for the body’s immune response to work between appointments.
Results vary from person to person, depending on factors such as the size and location of the verruca and how your body responds to treatment. Your podiatrist can assess the verruca and discuss whether Swift is appropriate for you before treatment begins.
If you’ve been dealing with the same painful or persistent verruca for months, you don’t necessarily have to keep repeating treatments that haven’t worked. A different approach may be worth considering.
At Park Road Podiatry, our HCPC-registered podiatrists provide Swift microwave therapy for verrucae at our Coventry clinic. Find out more about Swift microwave therapy or get in touch with the team to arrange an assessment and discuss your treatment options.