Warts are non-inflammatory skin conditions. They look like small tumors that are 1 mm to 1 cm or more in size. The appearance of warts is caused by viruses (they are caused by the activation of the human papillomavirus). This article explains how to get rid of warts.
Etiology
Why do warts appear on the body? As noted, these formations appear on the skin due to infection with the papillomavirus. Infection occurs when the skin is minimally damaged (with various cuts and scrapes, as well as in direct contact with an infected person or when sharing contaminated objects). The following factors are favorable for the activation of papillomavirus:
- reduced immunity;
- constant stress;
- frequent contact with virus carriers;
- insanitary;
- visit the swimming pool or sauna;
- tight and low-quality shoes;
- increased sweating of the feet and palms.
Warts form on most areas of the body (legs, hands, face, head). The incubation period is 2 to 5 months.
Types of warts
There are the following types:
- Most often - such warts appear on the hands (on the back), on the fingers, scalp and also on the face. They look like dense round nodules with a rough surface.
- Flat (or immature) - are small pale yellow nodules that are round, flat and slightly protruding above the level of healthy skin. As a rule, they appear on the face and hands, they are most often found in schoolchildren and young adults.
- Pointed tip - located in intimate places, shaped like cauliflower, dark or brown flesh, sexually transmitted.
- Plantar warts most commonly appear on the feet. They are painful, scar-like, and consist of fibrous papillae surrounded by important layers of cornea.
How to remove warts yourself?
Any formation on the skin can be malignant, so you should consult a dermatologist before starting treatment, especially in the following cases:
- if the wart is painful, bleeding, has changed shape or color;
- if the wart is large and obstructed;
- if the formation is located on visible parts of the body and is the cause of psychological discomfort;
- if new warts keep appearing.
It is important to note that improper treatment can lead to malignancy (degeneration into malignant forms).
What can you do at home?
After consulting with your doctor, it is advisable to use one of the special chemicals available in pharmacies and help quickly get rid of warts. Before applying any pharmaceutical preparations, you should first steam the skin in hot water with soap and soda, and then cut off the stratum corneum with scissors. Salicylic ointment is often used to soften warts. To do this, it is applied to the formation and covered with a layer of adhesive plaster. The skin is steamed for a period of time to remove the areas of keratinized skin. Any chemical specifically designed to fight warts must be used strictly as directed.
What are the means for the treatment of warts?
The following tools are highly effective:
- A solution containing phenol and m-cresol. The drug causes protein coagulation and has a blood-clotting effect. It also induces necrosis of pathological formations and desquamation of areas of hyperkeratosis, promotes the death of viral cells and enhances epithelialization. The main indications for its use are the removal of warts on the palms of the hands and feet, the removal of dry warts, genital warts and common warts. The specified solutions are for external use exclusively. When applied to diseased skin, care must be taken so that the drug does not penetrate healthy skin. Failure to do so may result in burns. Depending on the type of wart, apply it once or apply it from 5 to 10 times. Side effects include allergic reactions and the appearance of edema at the site of application. One of the features of using the solution is that it is discouraged to use other drugs in the form of ointments before and after application.
- A cosmetic product consisting of alkaline potassium and sodium. When applied to warts, it leads to their necrosis. Before use, the healthy skin around the acne should be covered with a layer of cream to avoid burns. How to remove warts with this method is quite simple. It is enough to simply apply one drop of it to the pathological growth every day for a week. Then the treatment is stopped. In case the wart persists, proceed to reapply.
- Cryotherapy - removing warts with this instrument is one of the methods of cryotherapy. Basically, one use of the drug is enough. To remove a build-up, the topical medication must be pressed down to its surface. This freezes the wart. During the procedure, there may be a slight burning sensation or a tingling sensation, whitening the skin.
- Transparent gel - the removal of skin tumors with the help of this tool occurs due to its antiviral activity. It comes in gel form, which should be applied twice a day for 20 days. The duration of treatment depends on the nature and size of the pathological formations.
- Patch. Its main active ingredient is salicylic acid, which softens build-ups and makes mechanical removal easier. In addition, this patch also contains sulfur to help penetrate deep into the skin and together with salicylic acid to provide a horny effect. How to remove warts with patches? First, you should soak your feet in warm water, dry your skin with a towel and firmly stick a layer of plaster of the required size on the growth. The plaster is left for two days, then remove the adhesive plaster, soak the wart in warm water, remove the soft layers (for this you can use a pumice stone). The skin is then dried and a new adhesive plaster is applied. This treatment regimen is repeated 3-4 times. In some cases, longer treatment is required.
Since the appearance of warts is associated with a decrease in immunity, it is also advisable to take immunomodulatory drugs, as well as antiviral drugs to eliminate the main etiological factor - the virus that causes papillomavirus in the body. people. If the described methods of therapy are not effective, they must resort to lasers to remove the formations.