How microwaves can banish warts

ZAPPING warts with microwaves may be an effective treatment. Doctors from the University of Southampton, writing in the journal Case Reports in Dermatology, used a new, hand-held device to treat warts on a patient’s feet.

The microwave treatment was delivered without anaesthetic through a probe applied directly to the surface of the wart and, afterwards, no dressing was needed. Two weeks after treatment, the wart had gone.

Researchers say because microwaves travel in straight lines, there is minimal risk to surrounding healthy tissue — unlike freezing. The microwaves are thought to destroy the wart tissue and virus responsible.