Preparing for your Swift Microwave Therapy Appointment: What you need to know
If you're struggling with a stubborn verruca (plantar wart) that just won’t go away, Swift Microwave Therapy could be the solution you've been waiting for. At LR Podiatry, we are proud to offer this innovative, non-invasive treatment that uses microwave energy to target and treat verrucas at their source. However, to ensure the best possible results and a smooth treatment experience, it’s important to prepare properly before your Swift Microwave Therapy appointment.
Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for your treatment:
1. Don’t Treat Your Verruca with Other Products Before Treatment
One of the most important things to remember before your Swift Microwave Therapy appointment is not to treat your verruca with any over-the-counter products or home remedies in the days leading up to your appointment. While it might be tempting to apply topical treatments, such as salicylic acid, cryotherapy (freezing sprays), or other verruca treatments, these can interfere with the effectiveness of the microwave therapy.
These treatments work by either softening the skin or freezing the verruca, but when used in conjunction with microwave therapy, they can potentially reduce the impact of the treatment. In some cases, these products can also cause irritation to the area, making the skin more sensitive and uncomfortable during treatment.
2. Foot Hygiene is Key
Before your appointment, make sure your feet are clean and free from any lotions, creams, or oils. Washing your feet thoroughly with soap and water on the day of your treatment ensures the area is clean and ready for the Swift treatment. Don’t worry too much if you forget or don’t have time before your appointment, we can do this step before treatment!
3. Wear Comfortable Footwear
Since the Swift Microwave Therapy treatment involves targeting the verruca on your foot, it’s important to wear comfortable shoes to your appointment. Depending on where the verruca is located, the area may be a little sensitive following the treatment. Afterward, you’ll be able to return to normal activities basically straight away, but comfortable footwear will make the healing process smoother.
4. Understand the Treatment Process
It’s important to know what to expect during your Swift Microwave Therapy session. Here’s a brief rundown of the process:
- Preparation: Your podiatrist will examine the verruca to assess its size, location, and the best way to target it with the microwave therapy. The verruca will then most likely be debrided (we will scalpel the top layer of hard skin from the verruca so that we are able to fully target the affected tissue).
- Microwave Application: The Swift treatment uses targeted microwave energy to heat the verruca tissue, stimulating the body’s immune response to fight the viral infection. This process typically lasts between 2 to 5 minutes for each verruca. You may feel a warm sensation during the treatment, which is completely normal.
- Aftercare: Most patients experience minimal discomfort after the treatment. You might feel a bit of tenderness or mild discomfort in the treated area, but this usually subsides within a few hours. Your podiatrist will give you aftercare instructions, which might include recommendations for managing any discomfort or swelling.
5. Plan for a Follow-Up Appointment
For the best results, it’s often necessary to schedule multiple Swift Microwave Therapy sessions. Many verrucas require 3 to 4 treatments to be fully eradicated, with sessions spaced about 4 weeks apart. During each session, the body’s immune system is stimulated, and over time, this helps the body target and eliminate the virus causing the verruca.
Your podiatrist will give you a clear timeline of when to return for your follow-up appointments, and it’s important to stick to this schedule to ensure the best outcome.
6. Avoid any anti-inflammatories after treatment
The aim of the treatment is to initiate an immune response so anything that will potentially hinder that will negatively impact the treatments success rate. Avoid any over the counter anti inflammatories throughout the whole treatment journey. If you are struggling with any pain, try and stick to paracetamol!
7. Don’t Pick or Scratch the Verruca
After the treatment, you may notice some peeling, scabbing, or hard skin development. It’s essential not to pick or scratch the treated area, as this can introduce infection, disrupt the healing process, or even spread the virus onto other areas. Let the body’s natural healing mechanisms work without interference. There is also no need to treat the verruca/s with any other over the counter products in between appointments. Essentially, forget that your verrucas exist and let your body do the work to get rid of them!
If you have concerns about the healing process or notice anything unusual after your treatment, contact your podiatrist right away.
Conclusion: Your Path to Verruca-Free Feet
Swift Microwave Therapy is a game-changer for treating verrucas, offering a fast, effective, and minimally invasive option to tackle stubborn warts on your feet. By properly preparing for your appointment, you can ensure that the treatment is as effective and comfortable as possible.
At LR Podiatry, we are dedicated to providing you with the latest and most effective treatments for foot care. If you have any questions or concerns about preparing for your Swift Microwave Therapy appointment, or if you’re ready to take the next step in treating your verruca, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you take a step ahead toward healthier, pain-free feet!