Hyperthermia treatment is a treatment for warts that uses heat to kill warts and reduce discomfort. Therapeutic hyperthermia is used frequently on plantar warts, those found on the bottom of the feet that make walking or standing uncomfortable or even painful.
Hyperthermia treatment can range from a high-tech infrared skin wart treatment conducted by physicians, to soaking your warts in hot water.
While some warts go away on their own within a year or two, others hang on no matter what kind of skin wart treatment you try. Hyperthermia treatment for warts has been shown to be moderately effective, although no treatment for warts is 100 percent effective.
In a recent study published in the Journal of InfectiousDiseases (2010), Chinese scientists reported on the success of an infrared heat-producing device in hyperthermia treatment. Treatment for warts with this device, which can heat warts to 111 degrees Fahrenheit without touching surrounding skin, removed plantar warts in 54 percent of patients and reduced walking pain in 80 percent of those suffering from plantar warts. Researchers say this therapeutic hyperthermia technique may be widely available by 2013.
Other methods of hyperthermia treatment include:
A hot water soak is perhaps the most common method of using heat as a skin wart treatment, especially for plantar warts. Since 113 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended temperature, the trick is keeping the water that hot for 30 to 90 minutes of soaking time. Experts recommend using two containers, soaking your warts in one while bringing the other to the right temperature and switching as the water cools.
For best results, soak your warts daily or every other day.
Water that is hot enough to be an effective skin wart treatment can also be dangerous. Stop soaking immediately if you feel any pain or burning. Because of the potential for serious burns and other problems, therapeutic hyperthermia is NOT recommended for the following people:
Although hyperthermia treatment has been used as a treatment for warts for generations, scientists aren't exactly sure how it works. Some current theories regarding why heat is an effective skin wart treatment include these:
Hendry, J. (2010). Heat treatment found effective for plantar warts. Retrieved June 16, 2010, from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_96647.html.
Jpurfield. (2008). How to remove plantar warts. Retrieved June 16, 2010, from: http://www.content4reprint.com/health/alternative-medicine/how-to-remove-plantar-warts-three-low-cost-methods-to-help-you-get-rid-of-plantar-warts.htm.
Lambe, M. (2009). How does hyperthermia remove plantars warts? Retrieved June 16, 2010, from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/28006-hyperthermia-remove-plantars-warts/.
Newsmaxhealth.com. (2010). Heat treats plantar warts. Retrieved June 16, 2010, from: http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/health_stories/heat_plantar_warts/2010/03/29/313978.html.
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