WHY CHOOSE NORTH TAMPA FOOT CARE FOR YOUR WART AND CALLUS TREATMENT?

We are experts in dermatology of the foot and ankle. We have extensive schooling, training, fellowship experience, pathology experience, and clinical and surgical experience in identifying, diagnosing, and treating skin and nail conditions of the foot and ankle that often get missed by other doctors, even other specialists. We are the ONLY medical clinic of ANY KIND in our community that has the training and experience to offer Swift therapy. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET RID OF WARTS AND CALLUSES WITH STANDARD TREATMENT?

While every person is different, the typical expectation is that both warts and calluses take a very, very, very, very long time to remedy. Traditional non-invasive wart treatment takes an average of 12 weeks to achieve significant improvement. During this time, the patient must apply prescription medication twice a day and return to the office for treatment every 2 weeks. Another traditional option for warts is surgery, which is invasive, has the risk of infection, and requires weight-bearing restrictions. Non-invasive callus treatment is typically ongoing for an indefinite amount of time, depending on the specific cause of the callus. Surgery also serves as a traditional form of callus treatment but most often involves breaking and repositioning the nearby bone, risk of infection, and requires significant restrictions to weightbearing, not to mention a very painful post-operative period.

WHAT IS SWIFT THERAPY?

Swift is the pioneering new microwave therapy device for the skin. Plantar warts and calluses have long been a frustrating condition, and finally, there is an answer! Unlike other destructive, invasive, and painful treatment methods, Swift targets the root cause of the wart/verruca, the human papillomavirus (HPV). It targets the deeper layers of the skin where calluses and warts start to thrive. Microwave energy is introduced into the skin, heating cells to between 36 and 43 degrees Celsius. This heat initiates an immune cascade which allows the body to detect and attack the HPV virus, ridding the patient of this painful condition.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WITH SWIFT?

Swift is a quick and clean modern treatment for the skin. Unlike cryotherapy, surgery, salicylic acid and laser, Swift does not break the surface of the skin and eliminates the need for bandages or dressings – leaving you to carry on your day as normal. There is absolutely no downtime after getting your Swift treatment. Walk in – walk out!

IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE?

If you have FSA, Health Savings Accounts (FSA) or a Medical IRA the cost can be covered. However, your insurance may consider this cosmetic (much like Botox) and will not pay for you to get rid of stubborn warts and calluses. They only cover more invasive, higher risk, treatments (like surgery) regardless of how invasive and risky it is. We do encourage you to work directly with your insurance company for approval prior to your appointment. Who knows? Maybe they’ll submit…eventually.

With rising appointment fees and out of pocket co-pays, the cost of the Swift therapy treatments is actually less costly than other, more invasive treatments that are “covered” by insurance.

HOW SAFE IS SWIFT?

Extremely safe! Microwaves are a form of non-ionizing radiation, which means that they can’t cause damage to the DNA of living things. Microwaves sit between radio waves and infrared waves (at any frequency between 300MHz and 300GHz – Swift itself operates at 8GHz) in the electromagnetic spectrum. The Swift system delivers very low energy levels when compared with other electromagnetic energy forms. The Swift microwave treatment is only capable of supplying enough energy to agitate water molecules and cause friction, as opposed to damaging DNA, and deliver less energy into the skin than most laser and electrocautery treatments.

IS SWIFT APPROVED BY THE FDA?

Yes it is!

DOES IT HURT?

Like many treatments for skin lesions, some minor discomfort may be experienced. Pain levels vary from person to person but most people undergoing Swift feel a minor burning sensation lasting 2 to 3 seconds then quickly subsiding. There is no anesthesia/injection needed!

WHAT IS THE OVERALL SATISFACTION REPORTED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SWIFT THERAPY?

Focus groups and research studies show that 98% of patients were able to continue their daily tasks as per normal (unlike with traditional treatments which often require lifestyle and weightbearing restrictions), 70% of patients rated Swift 10/10, and 95% of patients stated that they have or would recommend Swift to a friend.