Plantar Warts Treatment

Causes

Plantar warts are caused by direct contact with the human papilloma virus (HPV). This is the same virus that causes warts on other areas of the body.
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Diagnosis & Treatment

To diagnose a plantar wart, the foot and ankle surgeon will examine the patient’s foot and look for signs and symptoms of a wart.

Although plantar warts may eventually clear up on their own, most patients desire faster relief. The goal of treatment is to completely remove the wart.

The foot and ankle surgeon may use topical or oral treatments, laser therapy, cryotherapy (freezing), acid treatments, or surgery to remove the wart.

Regardless of the treatment approaches undertaken, it is important that the patient follow the surgeon’s instructions, including all home care and medication that has been prescribed, as well as follow-up visits with the surgeon. Warts may return, requiring further treatment.

If there is no response to treatment, further diagnostic evaluation may be necessary. In such cases, the surgeon can perform a biopsy to rule out other potential causes for the growth.

Although many home remedies for warts exist, patients should be aware that these remain unproven and may be dangerous. Patients should never try to remove warts themselves. This can do more harm than good.

Microwave Treatment of Plantar Warts

Doctor Pero has extensive training in the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of viral infections such as those that cause plantar warts. He is also well-trained in laser treatment for warts and other conditions, and is one of very few podiatry physicians and surgeons in Palm Beach County who is trained in the use of multiple types of laser, radiofrequency, and other devices for medical, surgical, aesthetic, and cosmetic procedures.

Doctor Pero uses two types of lasers in the office and in the outpatient ambulatory surgery setting. He uses a YAG 1064nm laser in his Jupiter Integrative Foot & Ankle office and a CO2 laser in the outpatient Palm Beach Gardens Regional Surgery Center for minimally-invasive removal of warts.

Integrative Footand Ankle Centers now offers a new, non-invasive treatment for warts that is growing popularity across the globe because of its’ non-invasive technology and does not require any chemicals, destruction of the tissue or skin that harbors the virus.

Swift Technology for Treatment of Plantar Warts

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

Frequently asked questions by patients considering treatment using Swift microwave therapy.

WHAT IS SWIFT®?

Swift is a new technology, developed in the UK, which has been licenced for the general treatment of skin lesions in Podiatry and Dermatology. Swift uses microwave energy which is delivered through a special probe applied to the skin to treat the affected tissue.

DOES IT HURT?

Like many treatments for skin lesions, some minor discomfort may be experienced. Before treatment your podiatrist or dermatologist may decide to reduce the lesion with a blade. Pain levels vary from person to person but most people undergoing Swift liken it to a pain similar to an injection or a scratch, lasting 2 – 3 seconds then quickly subsiding.

WHAT CAN I DO AFTER TREATMENT?

In some cases the treated area may feel sore but will not prevent you undertaking normal daily activities.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

This is dependent on how you respond to treatment. In some cases, you may need more than one treatment (these can be from 14 days to over a month apart depending on the response). Your Podiatrist or Dermatologist will be able to discuss this with you.

CAN ANYONE RECEIVE THIS TREATMENT? 

With a few exceptions, most people with skin lesions would be able to have this treatment. Your Podiatrist or Dermatologist will carry out an assessment prior to treatment and be able to advise you on this. Call now for a consultation 561-293-3439.