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Hand Warts

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Hand warts (clinically known as Verruca Vulgaris) are extremely common and benign lesions that appear on the hand and fingers. Similar to plantar warts, they are spread through skin to skin contact and through places like the gym.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be spread through direct contact or shared surfaces (Showers, public spaces).

Presentation: Small, firm bumps with a rough texture on the skin surface

A hard, grainy, or rough growth on the hands

A thickened patch of skin (may look like a callus)

Black dots (small clotted blood vessels, sometimes called wart “seeds”)

If unsure, come visit us today!

Causes / Why It Happens

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus with over 100 different strains. It infects the top layer of your skin, usually through tiny cuts or breaks, and causes skin cells to grow rapidly, forming a wart.

You don’t need to come into contact with someone who has a visible wart. HPV can live on surfaces and spread through:

Touching shared equipment (weights at the gym, rails, etc)
Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a wart
Sharing personal items like towels, razors
Touching your own wart and then another part of your body (auto-inoculation)

Why Choose Head2Toe?

At Head2Toe Physiotherapy and Podiatry, we are committed to providing advanced, evidence-based solutions for the effective treatment of common and plantar warts. Our clinic is proud to offer SWIFT Microwave Therapy, a leading-edge technology that targets the underlying cause of warts with precision and efficiency.

Our podiatrists are highly trained in the assessment and treatment of warts across all age groups. With extensive experience and clinical knowledge, we tailor each treatment plan to the individual, ensuring optimal care and outcomes.

How We Treat It

1. Initial Assessment

Confirm wart diagnosis through clinical examination
Rule out other conditions (e.g. corns, calluses)
Check for contraindications (e.g. pacemaker, pregnancy, immunosuppression)

2. Treatment Planning

Educate patient on how SWIFT works (immune stimulation, not surface destruction)
Explain number of sessions (typically 3–4, spaced 4 weeks apart)
Discuss possible sensations (brief heat, mild soreness)
Obtain informed consent

3. SWIFT Treatment Sessions

Clean and prepare the skin; debride if needed
Deliver 3–5 bursts of microwave energy (2-second pulses)
Each session lasts about 5–10 minutes
No dressings or aftercare needed

4. Follow-Up Treatments

Repeat every 4 weeks for 3 months
Monitor for size reduction, pain improvement, and immune response
Adjust plan based on progress

5. Resolution and Discharge

Discharge once wart is resolved (usually by 3rd or 4th session)
Provide advice on hygiene and prevention
Rare booster session if required
Reinforce immune memory helps prevent recurrence

What to Expect in Your Appointment

A podiatrist performs a thorough clinical examination to confirm the lesion is a wart (caused by HPV), not a corn or another skin condition.

Skin is cleaned, and any overlying callus is debrided if needed.

The SWIFT applicator is applied to the wart, delivering 3–5 bursts of microwave energy (usually at 10W for 2 seconds per application, depending on protocol).

The heat penetrates ~8–10mm into the tissue, stimulating a heat-shock protein response and activating local immune cells.

Patient will be informed on a follow up session, usually after 4 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of warts can be treated with SWIFT?

SWIFT is suitable for most common warts (hands) and plantar warts (feet), including long-standing or treatment-resistant cases.

Is the treatment painful?

During the treatment, you may experience a brief pain. Although there shouldn’t be any pain post treatment.

How many sessions will I need?

Typically, 3 to 4 sessions are required, spaced 3–4 weeks apart. This allows time for the immune system to respond between treatments.

Is there any downtime after treatment?

No. You can work and exercise as normal immediately after the session. There is no need for dressings or wound care.

Can I treat multiple warts at once?

Yes, depending on the number and location, multiple warts can often be treated in a single session.

Is SWIFT suitable for children?

SWIFT is safe for most people, including children. However, it is not recommended for:

Individuals with pacemakers or implanted defibrillators
Pregnant women
People with immunosuppressive conditions

Your podiatrist will determine if you are a suitable candidate during your initial consultation.

Will my wart come back after treatment?

SWIFT stimulates the body’s own immune response, which often leads to long-term immunity against the specific strain of HPV causing the wart. This reduces the risk of recurrence compared to destructive methods.

Is SWIFT covered by private health insurance?

Some private health funds may cover a portion of the treatment under podiatry services. We recommend checking with your insurer. Our team can provide a detailed receipt for claiming purposes.