SWIFT® TECHNOLOGY · MEDICAL MICROWAVES · ALICANTE

Treatment of Plantar Warts with Swift®

No cuts. No scars. No needles. Normal life from minute one.

Have you been struggling with a plantar wart that won't go away for months or even years? Have you tried cryotherapy, salicylic acid patches, and home remedies without success? Swift® technology uses precision medical microwaves that activate your own immune system to eliminate the human papillomavirus (HPV) at its source. Backed by a randomized clinical trial (RCT 2025) and more than 85 documented cases in the U.S. with an 86% complete resolution rate.

⭐ 4.8/5 (190 reviews) · 🏅 Cert. MIS23BE03 · 🇪🇺 5 languages

Treatment of Plantar Warts with Swift Microwave Therapy — San Román Clinic

Backed by 45 years of experience

45+ years old

Family clinic founded in 1979

4.8 ★

190 reviews on Google

MIS 🏅

First in Europe to offer an MIS subspecialty (Cert. MIS23BE03)

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Languages: ES · EN · DE · FR · NL

What is a plantar wart, and why is it so hard to get rid of?

A plantar wart (also called a plantar papilloma) is a benign skin lesion caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), primarily types 1, 2, 4, 27, and 57. It appears as a round, hard lesion with central black dots (thrombosed capillaries) and is painful when walking, as if you were stepping on a small pebble.

The problem with plantar warts is that HPV hides within the cells of the epidermis, where the immune system has difficulty detecting it. That is why traditional destructive treatments (cryotherapy, salicylic acid, curettage) can remove the visible lesion but do not trigger an immune response against the virus, which explains the high recurrence rates: up to 55% with cryotherapy and over 40% with salicylic acid.

This is where Swift® technology comes in: instead of destroying the tissue, it triggers a local immune response that allows the body to recognize and eliminate HPV.

Plantar wart with blackheads — diagnosis at Clínica San Román

How does Swift® work?

The most advanced technology for treating stubborn plantar warts, backed by randomized clinical trials.

Swift® is a certified medical device that emits controlled microwaves in the 8 GHz range directly onto the wart. In just 5 seconds per treatment site, it generates localized heating at 42–45°C, which produces two key effects:

Release of heat shock proteins (HSPs): HPV-infected cells release these proteins, which act as an "alarm signal" for the immune system.
Activation of the adaptive immune response: Dendritic cells recognize HSPs bound to viral antigens and trigger a specific immune response against HPV.

The result: your body learns to recognize and eliminate the virus, not just the visible lesion. This explains why Swift® can also treat satellite warts that were not treated directly.

Step-by-Step Treatment Protocol

Dermatoscope examination: We confirm that it is a wart (not a callus) and assess the size, depth, and number of lesions.
Debridement: We gently remove the keratin layer covering the wart to allow the microwave energy to penetrate more effectively.
Swift application: The device is applied for about 5 seconds per spot. You may feel a sharp, "bee sting"-like prick that goes away when the probe is removed.
End of the session: You walk out, without bandages, without restrictions. You can resume your normal life right away.
Follow-up: another session in 4 weeks. Standard protocol: 3–4 sessions in total.

Application of Swift microwave technology to plantar warts

Swift® vs. Other Treatments for Plantar Warts

*Los resultados pueden variar según cada paciente y el estado de la verruga.*
Treatment	Pain during	Sessions	Recovery	Effectiveness
Swift® Microwave	Mild to moderate (5 sec)	3–4 sessions (every 4 weeks)	None. Normal life	Discharge (86% per protocol)
Cryotherapy	Intense and poignant	Multiple times, every 2–3 weeks	Painful blister	Moderate (~45%)
Salicylic acid	Painless	Daily for several weeks	Wetness restriction	Deep dives
Surgical curettage	Under local anesthesia	1 session	Healing time (weeks)	High, but with relapses
Intralesional bleomycin	Moderate	Variable	Hemorrhagic blisters	Variable

Why choose Swift® over other treatments?

No wounds or scars

Swift does not cut, burn, or damage healthy tissue. The skin remains intact after each session. No bandages, no dressings, no risk of secondary infection.

Without anesthesia

No anesthetic injection is required. The procedure takes only 5 seconds, and any discomfort disappears as soon as the catheter is removed. Suitable for children and patients with a fear of needles.

It acts on the virus

Unlike destructive treatments, Swift activates your immune system to fight HPV. That’s why it has a lower recurrence rate and can resolve untreated satellite lesions.

Back to normal right away

You can go for a walk, take a shower, work out, or go to the pool. No sick leave, no restrictions. It's the only wart treatment that doesn't limit your activities.

Suitable for diabetics

Because it does not cause open wounds or pose a risk of infection, Swift is one of the few safe options for diabetic and immunocompromised patients.

Scientific evidence

Supported by a randomized clinical trial (Haase et al., 2025) and retrospective studies involving more than 150 documented warts, with resolution rates of 83–86%.

Podiatrist Appointment at Clínica San Román in Alicante

Your first appointment with us

The initial consultation is free and requires no obligation. In just one visit, we can confirm whether your lesion is a wart and recommend the most effective treatment:

Dermatoscope diagnosis: We distinguish between a wart and a callus, heloma, or foreign body.
Personalized assessment: We evaluate size, number, location, and previous treatments.
Treatment plan: We’ll explain the Swift protocol, the estimated number of sessions, and the cost.

📞 +34 965 921 156 · ✉️ info@clinicasanroman.com

Frequently Asked Questions About the Treatment of Plantar Warts

🌊 About Swift®

How long does a session last, and does it hurt?

The entire session lasts between 5 and 15 minutes (including preparation). The microwave application lasts only 5 seconds per point. The sensation is described as a sharp, "bee sting"-like prick. Once the application stops, the pain goes away and you can walk normally.

How many sessions will I need?

The standard treatment plan consists of 3–4 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart. Some small warts clear up in just 2 sessions; larger or more stubborn ones may require more. During your first visit, we’ll provide you with a personalized estimate.

Does Swift work on stubborn warts?

Yes, that is precisely its primary indication. The 2025 randomized clinical trial (Haase et al.) was conducted specifically on warts resistant to previous treatments, showing a 27.3% complete remission rate (compared to 0% with placebo). Retrospective studies with long-term follow-up report rates of up to 83–86%.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, Swift is suitable for children of a certain age, provided they can tolerate the brief discomfort. For very young or fearful children, we usually start with gentler treatments and reserve Swift for stubborn cases. Pediatric studies show a 70% resolution rate, which is higher than that of cryotherapy (34%) and salicylic acid (31%).

📋 About warts

How do I know if I have a wart or a callus?

Plantar warts have central black dots (thrombosed capillaries), disrupt the normal skin lines (patterns), and are painful when pinched from the side (Dellaporta’s sign). Calluses are smooth, have no black dots, preserve the skin’s natural lines, and are painful when direct pressure is applied. During the consultation, we can confirm the diagnosis using a dermatoscope.

Are they contagious?

Yes. HPV is spread through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, especially in swimming pools, locker rooms, and communal showers. Tips: wear flip-flops in common areas, don’t share towels or shoes, keep your feet dry, and cover the wart when swimming.

Do plantar warts go away on their own?

In children, up to 65% of HPV-1 warts can clear up on their own within 2 years. In adults, this rate is much lower (<7% within 2 years for HPV2/27/57). If the wart is painful, grows, or new ones appear, it is recommended to treat it without delay.

❌ Myths

Should you burn the wart until it bleeds?

False. Modern treatments like Swift remove warts without causing open wounds or bleeding. Aggressive methods have a higher rate of complications and scarring.

If I remove the wart, will the virus go away?

False. HPV can remain in the body even after the visible lesion has disappeared. That is why treatments like Swift aim to activate the body’s own immune response to eliminate the virus, rather than simply removing the lesion.

📚 Scientific bibliography and references

Swift® Technology (microwave) for plantar warts:
- Haase O, Barkawi A, Mrowka P, Krengel S. Microwave therapy for the treatment of resistant plantar warts: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Arch Dermatol Res. 2025;317(1):208. [PubMed — RCT 2025]
- Gupta AK, Wang T, Cooper EA, et al. The treatment of plantar warts using microwave — A review of 85 consecutive cases in the United States. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(10):2729-2736. [PubMed]
- Hagon W, et al. Microwave therapy for the treatment of plantar warts. J Foot Ankle Res. 2023;16(1):37. [PubMed]
- Bristow IR, Webb C, Ardern-Jones MR. The Successful Use of a Novel Microwave Device in the Treatment of a Plantar Wart. Case Rep Dermatol. 2017;9(2):102-107. [PubMed]

Comparative studies and clinical guidelines:
- García-Oreja S, et al. Efficacy of cryotherapy for plantar warts: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Dermatol Ther. 2022;35(6):e15480. [PubMed]
- Xu Y, et al. Topical antimitotic treatments for plantar warts are more beneficial: A Bayesian network meta-analysis of RCTs. J Evid Based Med. 2024;17(1):37-53. [PubMed]
- Sterling JC, et al. BAD guidelines for the management of cutaneous warts 2014. Br J Dermatol. 2014;171(4):696-712. [PubMed]

Request your free consultation at Clínica San Román Alicante

Say goodbye to plantar warts. Start your treatment today.

We have the technology, the experience, and the procedures. The initial consultation is free and requires no obligation. In just one visit, we'll determine whether Swift is right for you and how many sessions you'll need.

📞 +34 965 921 156
✉️ info@clinicasanroman.com
📍 Av. del Dr. Ramón y Cajal 1, 03001 Alicante