Swift Treatment
What is Swift?
Swift is a new technology, developed in the UK, which has been licenced for the treatment of verrucas and warts on the hands.
Swift uses microwave energy which is delivered through a special probe applied to the skin to treat the affected tissue. Multiple verrucas and even warts can be treated at a single session. The treatment is quick, efficient & no anaesthetic or dressings are needed.
What can I expect?
Before your treatment, your nurse may remove some of the overlying hard skin on the verruca. The Swift probe is held in contact with the skin, and the treatment lasts approximately 3- 5 seconds. Pain levels vary from patient to patient, but most people liken the sensation to a pain similar to an injection or scratch lasting 1 – 2 seconds then quickly subsiding. There is no need for an anaesthetic and no need for a dressing.
Microwave energy is widely used in a number of medical fields to elevate tissue temperatures and create precise, localised cell destruction.
Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the surface and can often be difficult to treat using traditional methods, resulting in either untreated tissue or significant damage.
Swift delivers a precise, highly controlled energy dose. As microwaves travel into the tissue, water molecules begin colliding and creating localised heat energy - quickly destroying all infected tissue within a predetermined depth.
In just seconds the treatment is complete, leaving the body to absorb and replace the treated tissue.
How many treatments will I need?
This is dependent on how you respond to treatment – most people need 3 treatments
Multiple verrucas and even warts on hands can be treated at the same session.
In recent research, 83% of the most stubborn verrucas cleared using Swift Microwave therapy. The very best results were obtained with 3 treatments at 4 weekly intervals.
Can anyone receive this treatment?
With a few exceptions, most people with skin lesions would be able to have this treatment. It is suitable for older children and low risk diabetics who have good circulation and sensations. Your podiatrist will carry out an assessment prior to treatment and be able to advise you on this.
Does it hurt?
Like many treatments for skin lesions, some discomfort may be experienced.
Pain levels vary from person to person but most people undergoing swift microwave therapy liken it to to a sudden heat, lasting 1-2 seconds but quickly subsiding.
How much does it cost?
Swift treatment is £150 per treatment, with three treatments recommended in most cases.