Plantar Wart Treatment That Works

What You Need To Know

Understanding plantar warts and when to see a podiatrist for treatment.

Understanding Plantar Warts

“Plantar” means “of the sole” in Latin. Unlike other types of warts, plantar warts are typically quite painful, as the pressure from walking and standing forces them to grow into your skin. Like all warts, plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically types 1, 2, 4, 60, and 63. Underneath the skin, the wart can have finger-like roots that reach down and grow, making them very difficult to treat effectively from the surface.

It’s important to visit a podiatrist if you suspect or feel that you have a plantar wart and are seeking removal. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more likely the wart is to persist. Common symptoms to look out for include:

The feeling of “painful pebbles” in your shoes. Pain when you compress the sides of the wart. A circular flat spot on the skin with a depressed area in the middle. A “yellowed” appearance with a crust, and small black dots that can be an easy give away. A lesion on your foot that is painful, bleeding, or has changed color. Warts that reoccur or multiply despite treatments you have tried.

You should also come see us if the discomfort prevents you from doing regular activities, if you have poor sensation in your feet, or if you are simply unsure whether the lesion is a wart. At Foot Care Center, our specialists can confirm the diagnosis and start you on a treatment plan tailored to your situation.

Swift Wart Treatment at Foot Care Center

Are you tired of dealing with pesky warts? At Foot Care Center, we offer Swift, an FDA cleared technology that has proven to be highly effective in the removal of plantar warts. It delivers low dose microwave energy through a specialized probe that targets the underlying HPV virus by stimulating a natural immune response in the body. We like to say that we’re addressing the root cause, not the symptom.

The Swift protocol involves between 3 and 4 treatments, spaced 4 weeks apart, aligning with the body’s natural immune cycle. Each treatment lasts only 5 to 10 minutes and is what we call a “sock off, sock on” treatment: limited debridement, no breaking of the skin, and no bandages. No home treatment is required between visits, and patients can resume daily activities immediately after treatment.

Does it hurt? While pain is variable and patient specific, most patients typically feel some level of discomfort as infected tissue temperatures are rapidly elevated over a 2 second dose of energy. The pain immediately subsides following cessation of energy delivery, and there is very limited post procedural pain. In fact, some patients report an immediate reduction in pain levels.

The Swift treatment feels similar to a small scratch or injection, lasting only a few seconds before subsiding. Some may experience soreness after the treatment, but not anything strong enough to impair normal day-to-day activities. If you would like to get rid of your warts or explore Swift treatment, book an appointment with us and one of our specialists will be happy to help.