Swift Microwave Therapy for Verrucas

What is Swift?

Swift is a specialist treatment used for verrucas (plantar warts). Verrucas are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can sometimes persist despite the body's natural immune response or previous treatments.

Swift delivers a carefully controlled dose of microwave energy directly into the affected skin through a small applicator placed over the verruca.

Unlike treatments that rely primarily on freezing, acids or physically removing the verruca, Swift creates controlled heating within the affected tissue. This is thought to cause local changes within the verruca and stimulate an immune response to the HPV-infected tissue.

Why has Swift been recommended?

Swift may be recommended for verrucas that are painful, persistent, spreading, troublesome or have not responded adequately to previous treatment.

One of its advantages is that treatment does not usually create an open wound and normally requires no local anaesthetic, dressings or prolonged recovery period.

Your podiatrist will have considered the appearance, location and extent of your verruca or verrucas, your previous treatment and your general health when recommending Swift.

What happens during treatment?

At your appointment, the verruca will be reviewed and any overlying hard skin may be gently reduced where appropriate.

A small Swift applicator is then placed directly onto the verruca and delivers microwave energy in a series of very short applications.

Where you have several verrucas, all appropriate lesions can be treated during the same appointment.

Local anaesthetic is not normally required.

What does Swift feel like?

Swift produces a brief, intense sensation of heat or discomfort while the energy is being delivered. Each application lasts only a short time and the sensation usually stops very quickly once the applicator is removed.

The intensity can be adjusted by your podiatrist according to the treatment area and your individual tolerance.

Some patients find treatment uncomfortable, particularly when treating sensitive areas of the foot, but the discomfort is generally brief.

How many treatments will I need?

Most patients are recommended a course of approximately 3–4 treatments, usually around four weeks apart.

Some verrucas may respond sooner, while persistent or longstanding verrucas may require additional treatment. Your podiatrist will review the response throughout your treatment course and advise whether further treatment is appropriate.

Clinical studies have reported encouraging outcomes with Swift, including for persistent verrucas that have not responded to previous treatments. Published clearance rates vary considerably between studies and populations, with figures of approximately 60–85% reported depending on how treatment outcomes and follow-up are measured.

As with every verruca treatment, complete clearance cannot be guaranteed. Verrucas can be particularly persistent because treatment ultimately depends partly upon the individual's immune response to the virus.

What happens after treatment?

One of the advantages of Swift is that there is usually very little aftercare.

• no dressing is required
• there is no open wound
• you can normally walk immediately afterwards
• you can usually return to normal daily activities straight away
• no local anaesthetic is required

The treated area may occasionally feel tender, sore or bruised afterwards. This is usually temporary.

Your podiatrist will provide individual advice if anything different is required.

What are the possible side effects and risks?

Swift is generally well tolerated, but all treatments have potential side effects and risks.

During treatment, you should expect a brief heat or painful sensation as the microwave energy is applied.

After treatment, some patients may experience temporary tenderness, soreness, redness, bruising or changes in the appearance of the treated verruca.

Less commonly, blistering, superficial skin damage or delayed healing may occur.

Treatment may also fail to completely clear the verruca, the verruca may recur, or further treatment may be required.

Your podiatrist will assess your individual circumstances and adjust or discontinue treatment if there are concerns about how your skin is responding.

Is Swift suitable for everyone?

Swift is not suitable for every patient or every verruca.

Your podiatrist will consider your medical history, circulation, sensation, immune health, medications, pregnancy status, the condition of the surrounding skin and any relevant implants or medical devices when assessing suitability.

Treatment in children and young people is considered individually, taking into account their age, medical history, the location of the verruca and their ability to comfortably tolerate the treatment.

If your health, medication or the condition of your foot changes during your treatment course, please tell your podiatrist before your next treatment.

What are the alternatives?

There are several approaches to managing verrucas and no single treatment is appropriate for everyone.

• monitoring the verruca without active treatment
• topical treatments
• Verrutop
• cryotherapy
• Class IV laser therapy
• verruca needling (Falknor's needling)

Your podiatrist can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these options with you if required.

How much does Swift treatment cost?

Individual Swift treatment: £125

Course of 3 treatments: £350

Your podiatrist will advise you on the treatment course recommended for you. Additional treatment beyond a course is charged separately where required.

When should I contact the clinic?

Please contact us if you experience an unexpected or concerning reaction following treatment, particularly significant blistering, increasing redness, swelling, discharge, worsening pain or another change that concerns you.

We would also like you to contact us if there has been a significant change in your health or medication before your next treatment.

Your next step

If you have already booked your Swift treatment

There is normally nothing further you need to do. Please keep this information for reference and attend your appointment as arranged.

If you have any questions or concerns about the treatment, please discuss them with your podiatrist before treatment begins.

If Swift has been recommended but you have not yet booked

You can book your Swift Microwave Verruca Treatment – Follow-Up appointment when you are ready to proceed.

£125 per treatment | Course of 3 treatments £350

Important information

This information sheet is intended to support the discussion you have had with your podiatrist and help you make an informed decision about treatment. It does not replace individual clinical advice.

Treatment outcomes vary between patients and complete clearance cannot be guaranteed.

Before treatment, your podiatrist will confirm that Swift remains appropriate for you and you will have the opportunity to ask questions or discuss any concerns before deciding whether to proceed.

The Podiatry Clinic