Plantar Warts

plantar wart removal

Plantar wart removal and treatment

Plantar warts exist in the outer skin layers on the foot and 3 strains of Human Papillomavirus can cause them. The virus can spread within the affected person or to others, and for this reason, many choose wart removal as their first line of treatment.

Plantar warts are one of the most common viral infections of the skin. The virus survives in warm, moist environments and is believed to be transported via water molecules and transmitted to others through tiny cuts and breaks in the skins surface. Walking barefoot in public amenities, locker rooms and swimming in public swimming pools are among the more common explanations for people coming in contact with the virus.

They are often painful and feel like a rock under the foot when walking. Their appearance can be unpleasant, with a cauliflower appearance and tiny pigmentations or blood vessels throughout. The full extent of a plantar wart extends deep below the skin’s outer layer, which is thicker on the foot than most of the body and this is why these lesions are more difficult to treat than a wart that appears on the hand.

Plantar warts are often mistaken for corns and callouses and so it is very important to have your podiatrist provide a correct diagnosis.

Performance Podiatry has a variety of treatment protocols for plantar wart removal, which can include:

  • Chemical Cauterisation using high strength acids such as Salicylic Acid or Nitric Acid
  • Boosting the Immune System: Since warts are a virus it may be recommended to boost the immune system and leaving them to heal spontaneously. However since they are painful and may spread, it is often recommended to keep a close eye on them and seek help if they become unmanageable.
  • Over the counter medications: There are many wart remedies on the market, most of which aren’t strong enough to be of great benefit. They may, however, be advised in conjunction with your treatment at Performance Podiatry.
  • Leave them be: If your wart is not spreading or causing any harm then you may choose not to undergo treatment. However, if your wart is painful to walk on or you notice that it is spreading, a consultation is advisable. Your podiatrist will be able to assist you with simple ways to make life more comfortable such as incorporating padding onto your shoe insole to offload the area and help you walk pain free.
  • SWIFT Microwave Therapy

What is SWIFT plantar wart removal?

SWIFT is a medical microwave therapy that is highly effective at treating plantar warts or verrucae. A focused microwave signal pulses into the wart and travels to a pre-determined depth. This ensures that we treat the wart without harming deeper layers of the skin. A process called ‘Heat Shock’ occurs within the wart, which releases specific proteins into the circulation. This signals to the immune system to begin fighting the virus.

What does the SWIFT plantar wart removal process feel like?

We expose your wart to a rapid heat of 42-45 degrees Celcius, which is a similar temperature to a hot bath. Due to the heat, you may feel some brief discomfort, but this will only last a second. It will not cause any serious tissue damage or scarring.

How safe is SWIFT plantar wart removal?

As microwaves are a form of non-ionising radiation, they cannot cause damage to the DNA of living organisms. SWIFT wart removal uses very low energy that is only able to vibrate water molecules within skin cells. SWIFT ]requires no anaesthetic or pain relief and there is no need for any after care.

How many treatments will I need?

The average is 3 treatments for complete wart removal, but keep in mind that this varies from patient to patient. Your podiatrist will be able to guide your expectations and adjust your treatment based on your results.


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Make a podiatrist appointment for plantar wart removal and treatment.

Our highly qualified and experienced podiatrists are experts in biomechanics and it’s our philosophy that the finest foot care requires an entirely bespoke experience. That’s why we are dedicated to providing entirely tailor-made diagnosis and treatment services that are the best in Australia.

Our dynamic practice has a holistic approach to resolving foot complaints.

From assessment and diagnosis to extraordinary treatment, every step of your journey with us will deliver you the ultimate podiatric experience, resulting in healthier and happier feet.

Have your walking and running assessed on our state-of-the-art Zebris pressure and force analysis treadmill. Using this, your podiatrist will capture and relay information about the way that you walk and run in a matter of minutes, giving us invaluable information to help get you better faster.

Book a consultation with our podiatrists in Sydney (Macquarie St)Darlinghurst and Randwick to discuss your condition and we’ll get you pain-free and back to full function as smoothly and quickly as possible, so you can return to the activities and life you love.

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