The appearance of warts on the skin indicates infection with the HPV virus (human papilloma virus). The localization of skin growths on exposed areas of the body (face, neck, fingers) is considered an aesthetic defect and becomes the cause of complex and psychological problems. The papilloma virus is contagious and can be transmitted through contact. In this article we will talk about how to remove warts and which control methods are considered the most effective.
Why do they appear?
Skin growths of a viral nature are considered benign tumors. They are formed due to the replication of the papilloma virus, which enters the body through microscopic lesions on the skin. Infection occurs through close contact with an infected person or through sharing household items. Pathogens can enter the body through contact with contaminated surfaces in transportation or public places.
The active formation of growth is facilitated by a decrease in immunity caused by a number of adverse factors. These include recent illnesses or exacerbations of chronic illnesses, severely stressful situations, poor environments, and bad habits. A weakened immune system cannot effectively destroy virus-infected cells, causing them to multiply rapidly and characteristic tumors appear.
How to remove warts so that many new warts do not appear in its place? Any treatment options should be supplemented with antiviral therapy to limit further spread of the papilloma virus. Strengthening the immune system is another important area. This is the only way to put the virus into "sleep" mode and eliminate the possibility of relapse.
Types of warts
How to remove warts that spoil your appearance and cause constant discomfort? This question should be addressed to a dermatologist. The doctor will choose treatment methods taking into account the variability of the virus and the type of tumor. Some warts are advised to be removed immediately, while others are advised to be treated with medication.
Main types of warts:
- Simple (vulgar) - rounded growth with a rough surface in the form of a raised papule on the skin.
- Flat - is a variety with a dense, smooth surface, barely protruding above the skin. Usually affects children and adolescents.
- Palmoplantar - painful nodule with deep roots, covered with a keratinized layer. Appears in areas with constant mechanical impact or pressure.
- Thread-like - looks like an oblong growth on a thin stem. Localized in the eyelids, eyes, armpits and inguinal folds.
- Genital warts have a lobulated structure and an appearance similar to papillomas. They form in the perineum and on the genitals.
Other common types of cancer include perungual warts and senile keratoma.
Removal of the listed types is carried out in different ways. For example, warts on the face cannot be removed by drastic measures, or resorting to burning or freezing the growths. This method does not eliminate the formation of scars and chemical burns. Flat warts tend to merge into large groups. In this case, many chemical and hardware removal methods are not suitable, with the exception of a special laser.
Sometimes skin tumors disappear on their own without treatment. In other cases, a person cannot cope with skin growth for many years, since some varieties have a tendency to recur. How to remove warts so that new warts do not reappear in the future? Much depends on the correct diagnosis and correctly selected treatment tactics.
When should it be deleted?
It has been suggested that it is not necessary to remove benign tumors because they pose no particular threat. But doctors do not agree with this attitude. Warts on the face ruin appearance, cause psychological problems, and make it difficult to communicate with people.
Growths on other exposed parts of the body (arms, neck, head, chest) can be accidentally damaged when shaving, during cleaning or rubbing against clothes. Damaged warts pose a serious danger because of the risk of bacterial infection and even malignant degeneration.
In what situations is it necessary to urgently seek medical help?
- skin growths grow rapidly and increase in size;
- the shape and color of the tumor change;
- warts become painful and bleed;
- Warts on the soles of the feet cause a lot of pain and difficulty walking;
- Genital warts (genital warts) cause discomfort during sexual intercourse, defecation, and urination.
If there is a risk of malignant degeneration, suspicious tumors should be removed immediately. In such cases, not only a person's health but also a person's life depends on the correct actions and qualifications of the doctor.
If the tumor is not painful and does not cause concern, then surgical intervention is not necessary. To learn how to remove warts at home, consult a dermatologist. Your doctor will recommend the optimal treatment for your case. If there are no results, you will have to resort to more radical methods - removing the tumor using hardware methods.
Remove warts at home
There are many ways to combat skin growth using special chemicals. These include drugs that have a keratolytic (exfoliating) effect, which burns and dries the skin. Your dermatologist will tell you which wart removal product to choose. You should not self-medicate - you first need to find out the type of formation and only then proceed with the procedures.
New growths of a viral nature tend to recur - often several new warts appear where the wart was removed. Only comprehensive treatment will help prevent further spread of the virus. To do this, you need to take additional antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs to prevent pathogens from multiplying and ensure stable remission.
Papillomavirus, once entering the body, will remain there forever. The main goal of complex therapy is to transfer it to an inactive state to eliminate visible manifestations on the skin. A specialist knows how to remove warts at home to forever forget about the unpleasant problem. If any lump appears on the skin, you must consult a doctor, get a diagnostic check, and only then begin treatment.
How to remove warts quickly at home
The most effective ways to combat skin growth include products based on acids, alkalis or liquid nitrogen. Let's take a closer look at how to use them to remove warts at home.
- An aqueous solution based on alkaline potassium and sodium, when applied to a tumor causes necrosis (death) of its tissues. The caustic alkali penetrates deep into the structure of the growth (down to the root), causing the wart to dry out and soon fall off. Be careful when using drugs. Strong alkalis can cause chemical burns to healthy tissues, so the skin around the growth must first be lubricated with Vaseline or baby cream. Using a special applicator, apply a small amount of solution to the wart and wait until it dries completely.
- An improved version of a drug that has now been discontinued. An oily liquid based on phenol and 3-methylphenol that has a burning and embalming effect. As a result, the wart dies and falls off. To avoid chemical burns, do not let the solution come into contact with healthy skin. Before doing this, zinc should be applied to the area around the wart. The growth is processed point by point, lubricated 3-4 times and waiting for the liquid to be absorbed. The number of procedures is from 4 to 10, depending on the type and localization of the wart.
- An effective Swiss-made product based on a combination of several acids (lactic, oxalic, acetic, nitric). The drug is available in the form of a colorless solution. When used, it will have a strong embalming effect. Before applying the medicine, it is necessary to remove the dense keratinized layers. To do this, it is recommended to steam the mixture in hot water or first use formulations with a keratolytic effect (for example, salicylic ointment). The solution is carefully applied with a special applicator, being careful not to get on healthy skin. The procedure is repeated several times, taking a break for 1 day.
- A medicine that destroys wart tissue by freezing it. The active ingredients, a mixture of dimethyl ether and propane, have the same effect as the liquid nitrogen wart removal procedure. The drug is produced in cans with an aerosol nozzle. The output temperature of the mixture reaches - 57 ° C. The cooling composition is applied with a special applicator, keeping it growing from 3 to 40 seconds, depending on the type of tumor. Strong cooling of warts leads to destruction and necrosis of pathological tissues. A few days after treatment, the formation will disappear.
Among other products for removing warts, the following drugs are very popular:
- solutions based on lactic and salicylic acids;
- paste with glycyrrhizic acid;
- aerosol for freezing;
- pencils made from silver nitrate;
- keratolytic agent with salicylic acid;
- a cauterizing drug based on podophyllotoxin for the treatment of genital warts;
- gel based on polysaccharides of potato shoots has antiviral effect;
- ointment with interferon alpha-2b, stimulates local immunity.
Any of the listed remedies can be used only after consulting a doctor. To achieve the necessary therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take into account the type and structure of the tumor, its area of localization and possible contraindications.
How to remove warts on fingers
Growths on fingers are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a direct threat to others. Pathogens can be easily transmitted to healthy people through handshakes or close contact. It is possible that the tumors may be damaged during physical labor or during cleaning.
How to remove warts on fingers with the help of drugs without resorting to hardware methods? To do this, experts advise using products that have an embalming effect. Using a pencil made from silver nitrate gives good results, but you should not expect quick results from this method.
Before removing warts on your fingers, consult your doctor. Perhaps the best solution is to use products with a freezing effect. With the help of such drugs, you can get rid of large growths in just 5-7 days.
Sometimes several new warts appear at the same time where the tumor was removed. In this case, an integrated approach is needed. In addition to agents that cause burns or necrosis, it is necessary to use drugs with antiviral effects. A dermatologist will advise you on how to remove warts on your fingers once and for all. To prevent the spread of the virus, you will have to take additional medications, treat the growth with gels or ointments with antiviral activity.
How to get rid of warts on your feet
Removing warts on the soles of the feet has certain difficulties. These are painful formations with deep roots, the surface of which is covered with a layer of keratinized skin. In order for the drug to have a necrotizing effect to penetrate into the deep structure of pathological tissues, it is first necessary to steam the growth and clean the softened stratum corneum. Another option is to use a keratolytic agent (e. g. , a patch or ointment containing salicylic acid). Salicylic acid-based products soften and exfoliate the skin.
After preliminary preparation, it is recommended to treat the growth with any preparation containing alkali or acid or use a product with a freezing effect. The most important thing is to completely destroy the warts, deep into the dermis. Only in this case it is possible to prevent repeated relapses and the appearance of new formations.
It is impossible to use strong measures to remove warts on the face. Delicate skin can suffer chemical burns, which then form unsightly scars. As a result, another cosmetic problem will appear. It is recommended to remove growths on the face using gentle methods (for example, laser wart removal).
When choosing a treatment method, you should take into account the type and location of the wart. For example, when treating multiple flat warts, you should not resort to agents that have a burning or embalming effect. When treating genital warts, you can use drugs with certain different acid concentrations, applied in spots. To avoid burning, allergies and other side effects, you must first consult your doctor.
Hardware engineering
In addition to medications, hardware methods are widely used to combat warts. Some of them have been used for decades, others have been developed recently and are considered the most advanced and safe.
Electrocoagulation
This method is recommended for removing vulgar warts, warts on the feet and genitals. It is based on the burning of growing tissue using an electric current. An electrocoagulator is a device that generates electric waves of a certain frequency. The working nozzle has a ring at the end, which immediately heats up to a high temperature and cuts off tumors, while cauterizing blood vessels to prevent bleeding and infection of the surgical area.
In just one session, you can remove multiple growths at once. This is an old, time-tested and inexpensive method. But it has some disadvantages - risk of scarring, pain and long recovery time.
Cold destruction
Remove warts with a nitrogen procedure or cryodestructive method - freezing of its formation and subsequent death. This is one of the simplest procedures, bloodless and painless. Warts are treated using an applicator or a direct stream of liquid nitrogen for a few seconds.
Extremely low temperatures (-196°C) ensure rapid freezing and destruction of pathological tissues. A blister forms at the site of the wart, which soon bursts and dries up. A dry crust remains in place and will soon fall off on its own.
Laser wart removal
Two types of settings are used for laser wart removal. Some of them use thermal radiation, which instantly heats and evaporates the liquid inside pathological cells, destroying them. This type of treatment is used to remove vulgar, filamentous, and genital warts. Plantar warts cause significant discomfort and are difficult to treat with chemicals. Laser plantar wart removal, which works on heat radiation, provides the best results.
The second type of laser destroys warts by gluing the walls of blood vessels that feed the tumor. The tumor due to lack of blood supply will soon die and fall off, leaving behind clean skin. This type of laser is best for removing many flat warts (including facial warts).
Remove with a radio knife
This is the latest development, providing painless and bleeding-free tumor removal. High-frequency radio waves create a strong thermal effect that heats up the wart cells and destroys them from the inside. At the same time, radio waves will disinfect surfaces and prevent the spread of viruses. This method is quite expensive and is performed using high-frequency radio wave equipment. Used to remove all types of warts.
Laser or nitrogen removal: which is better?
Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. Lasers quickly and painlessly remove all types of warts. This is the most modern, safe and effective method, ensuring no complications or recurrence. The laser destroys wart tissue and coagulates blood vessels, preventing the risk of infection. The procedure does not require a long recovery period and eliminates the possibility of scar formation.
The cryoablation process destroys growth tissue due to extremely low temperatures. This is one of the most accessible and painless procedures. But if you incorrectly calculate the depth of contact, scars may remain on the skin. When using liquid nitrogen, complete wound healing will take 10 to 14 days.
How much does it cost to remove warts?
The cost of the wart removal service depends on the technique used, the equipment used, and the type and localization of the tumor. The cheapest procedure is electrocautery. In second place is the cold destruction method.
The cost of the procedure is also influenced by the region of residence.
Remove warts with celandine
Celandine is a medicinal plant, its juice has long been used to soothe skin growths. Its action is similar to that of alkaline chemicals. The plant is harvested during the flowering period, taking care to avoid burning.
Warts are treated with fresh juice 3-4 times a day, avoiding contact with healthy skin. You should not expect immediate results. It will take 2 to 3 weeks for the growth to dry and fall off. Tumors located on the mucous membrane cannot be treated with celandine juice, otherwise chemical burns cannot be avoided.
Before using any folk remedies (celandine juice, vinegar, tea tree oil), consult your doctor and get his approval for the procedures.