Plantar Wart Treatment
Plantar Wart Microwave Treatment
What is Plantar Wart Microwave Treatment?
Microwave wart treatment is a dermatological and podiatric treatment approach to clear and heal plantar warts. The microwave approach uses FDA-approved microwave technology to precisely and effectively trigger an immune system response that addresses the underlying human papillomavirus (HPV) which leads to plantar warts. By generating the body’s natural immune response to eradicate the HPV present, this treatment approach targets the root cause of the plantar to more effectively treat and prevent a recurrence.
The microwave plantar wart medical technology is delivered using a two-part medical device system: the microwave generator and the microwave applicator. The microwave energy is produced in the compact generator device. This generator device is then connected to the applicator which is used directly on the patient’s skin to deliver the microwave energy dose. Each microwave applicator is designed with a cable release connector, an activation button, and a status indicator light to ensure that safe, targeted microwave energy is being delivered where and when attended.
How Does Microwave Wart Treatment Work?
The microwave plantar wart treatment for warts process usually requires three to four rounds of treatment, each occurring two to four weeks apart. This spacing of treatments allows your body’s natural immune response to run its course to maximize the effectiveness of addressing the underlying human papillomavirus with microwave energy. Each treatment lasts only a matter of seconds. Many people notice a reduction in plantar wart size and appearance within days of their first treatment session.
No scraping, cutting, freezing, or medical burning of the skin is required for treatment. Instead, the physician will apply the microwave applicator to deliver microwave energy in a concentrated location. This energy can penetrate the skin deep enough to disrupt water molecules surrounding the wart and virus. This disruption generates heat within the skin tissue that has been infected by HPV. The heat generated by the microwave energy kills the infected skin cells and initiates the healing response to replace them with healthy tissue. One microwave wart removal treatment session will likely last a total of 5 to 10 minutes.
As described above, this treatment is then repeated three to four times total, approximately every two to four weeks. The exact frequency and duration of treatments will be discussed with and determined by your physician based on your unique patient needs.
Is Plantar Wart Microwave Treatment Painful?
Patients who undergo microwave therapy for plantar warts describe feeling discomfort similar to a needle prick or scratch lasting a few seconds while undergoing the microwave therapy. Some people report mild discomfort or soreness for the few days following their treatment, but this discomfort did not interrupt their usual daily activities.
Microwave treatment is still relatively new, so finding a provider trained in the technique matters. Chat with us to find a podiatrist offering it near you.
What is a Plantar Wart?
Plantar warts are callus growths on the bottom surface of the foot caused by a viral infection (HPV) in the skin. These warts typically develop on weight-bearing areas of the foot, such as the base of the toes, balls of the feet, or heels of the feet. The pressure placed on these areas of the foot may encourage the wart to grow inward underneath the skin rather than appearing as a raised bump. Sometimes multiple plantar warts may grow in a cluster, known as a mosaic. Approximately 10% of people have one or more plantar warts.
What are the Symptoms and Causes of Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts are most often recognized for their physical appearance and location.
Common signs and symptoms of plantar warts include:
- Rough, raised growths on the bottom of the foot
- Growths within the usual lines or ridges in the bottom of your foot
- Thickened, callus spots where a wart is growing underneath the skin
- Skin discoloration possibly appearing dark pink, gray, yellow, purple, or brown in color
- Black spot of discolored skin where the wart is growing, usually due to clotted blood vessels
- Wart growth area may be lighter in color than healthy skin on darker skin complexions
- Pain or discomfort with walking, standing, or any other pressure on the affected foot
Plantar warts are caused by HPV which may enter the body through cuts or skin breaks in the bottom of the foot. Like most viral infections, plantar warts are contagious and are often transmitted through barefoot contact with infected pools, recreational or public showers, or home shower surfaces. It may take two to six months for plantar warts to become visible after being exposed to HPV. Plantar warts more commonly occur in children, adults older than 65 years old, or people with compromised immune systems.
Plantar warts are not considered serious and sometimes resolve themselves without treatment. However, because of their size and location, they can be very uncomfortable or painful when walking, and people often choose to seek treatment sooner rather than later.
When Should I See a Podiatrist?
Consider contacting your doctor if your symptoms are ongoing, or if you notice or are experiencing any of the following changes in plantar wart presentation or severity:
- Bleeding or changes to the wart
- Warts that are recurring or non-healing
- People with diabetes or decreased sensation in their feet
- People with immune disorders or immunocompromising conditions
- Noticing any of the signs and symptoms of plantar wart
- Symptoms are impacting your daily life
If you are noticing any other issues, or are simply unsure if you have a plantar wart, speak with your provider about your questions and concerns.
What Are the Benefits of Microwave Plantar Wart Therapy?
There are many potential benefits of undergoing microwave wart therapy treatment. This plantar wart treatment is a safe, noninvasive option for treating your plantar warts at the source rather than the symptoms.
Other benefits to consider when choosing the microwave plantar wart removal treatment approach include:
- Thorough removal of plantar warts
- Treatment or resolution of the root cause of a plantar wart to prevent a recurrence
- Reduced or eliminated symptoms associated with plantar warts
- No scraping, cutting, freezing, or medical burning of the skin is required
- Preservation of healthy skin and isolated targeting of the infected tissue
- Greater comfort with minimal to no pain noted during or after the procedure
- Reduced time for recovery with no aftercare required
The microwave energy technology used in microwave wart therapy is considered extremely safe. We encounter microwaves daily in our kitchen appliances, cell phones, Bluetooth and WiFi technology, and much more. It has even been used in medical treatments for over 30 years with many versatile applications. Additionally, therapeutic microwave energy is used at much lower levels than other energy-related treatment approaches (e.g., lasers or electrocautery approaches).
With decades of safe practical and medical applications, this microwave technology is a well-studied approach to plantar wart treatment.
What are the Risks and Side Effects of Microwave Plantar Wart Treatment?
This is a very low-risk plantar wart intervention with no scraping, cutting, freezing, or medical burning of the skin required. Pain and discomfort is sometimes reported after microwave wart removal treatment. Occasionally, patients may develop a small blister at the microwave application site.
However, there are some diagnoses or other health conditions that may not be appropriate for microwave wart therapy.
Patient groups who may not be a candidate or should carefully consider this treatment with their medical provider include persons who:
- Have metal plates or implants
- Have a pacemaker
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have decreased healing capabilities including immunocompromising conditions, diabetic neuropathy, or poor peripheral circulation
- Young children under 10 years old
While risks are very low, contact your physician to discuss any specific concerns or personal risk factors regarding microwave wart treatment.
What Does Recovery from Wart Treatment Look Like?
Recovery from microwave plantar wart removal is most often very straightforward and simple. Often, patients report little to no disruption to their daily lives immediately following a treatment session. No bandaging or home care between treatment sessions is usually required. Typically, patients are even able to put their original sock and shoe back onto their foot and walk out of the office after the treatment session. As mentioned above, one or two days of soreness or a small blister may occur. In these cases, discuss options for managing this short-term discomfort with your physician.
Ultimately, each patient must select a plantar wart treatment that best suits their individual wants and needs for care. Discuss the microwave plantar wart treatment option with your physician to determine if this approach is right for you.