Warts are non-inflamed skin conditions. They look like small tumor-like formations, ranging in size from 1 mm to 1 cm. The appearance of warts has a viral etiology (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 mentioned earlier, these formations appear on the skin due to papillomavirus infection. Infection occurs with the slightest damage to the skin (various cuts, scratches, as well as through direct contact with a sick person or when sharing infected objects). The following factors are favorable for the activation of the papilloma virus:
- decreased immunity;
- constant stress;
- frequent contact with virus carriers;
- lack of hygiene;
- visiting the pool or sauna;
- narrow and low-quality shoes;
- increased sweating of the feet and palms.
Warts occur in almost every part of the body (legs, arms, face, head). The incubation period is 2 - 5 months.
types of warts
There are the following types:
- Ordinary - such warts appear on the hands (back), fingers, scalp, as well as on the face. They look like dense round nodules with a rough surface.
- Flat (or juvenile) - small yellowish nodules that have a rounded shape and a flat surface, protruding slightly above the level of healthy skin. As a rule, they appear on the face and hands, they are often found in schoolchildren and teenagers.
- Pointed - found in intimate places, cauliflower, sexually transmitted, has a dark skin or brown appearance.
- Plantar warts are mostly seen on the feet. They are painful, callus-like, and consist of filiform papillae surrounded by substantial corneous layers.
How can you remove warts yourself?
Any formation on the skin can be malignant, so before starting treatment, you should consult a dermatologist, especially in such cases:
- if the wart hurts, bleeds, has changed shape or color;
- if the wart is large and interferes;
- if the formation is located in the visible parts of the body and causes psychological discomfort;
- if new warts constantly appear.
It is worth noting that improper treatment can lead to malignancy (degeneration in malignant forms).
What can you do at home?
After consulting the doctor, it is recommended to use one of the special chemicals sold in pharmacies, which helps to quickly get rid of warts. Before applying any pharmaceutical preparations, it is recommended to first steam the skin in hot water with soap and soda, and then remove the stratum corneum using nail clippers. Salicylic ointment is often used to soften plantar warts. To do this, it is applied to the formation and covered with an adhesive plaster. For a while, the skin is steamed in water and the keratinized areas are removed. All chemicals specifically designed to combat warts should be used strictly as directed.
What are the ways to treat warts?
The following tools are highly effective:
- A solution containing phenol and m-cresol. The drug causes coagulation of proteins and has a cauterizing effect. It also causes necrosis of pathological formations and exfoliation of areas of hyperkeratosis, promotes the death of viral cells and increases epithelialization. The main indications for its use are the removal of warts on the palms and feet, getting rid of dry corns, genital warts and common warts. The specified solution is used externally only. When applied to pathological formations, care should be taken not to get the drug on healthy skin. Failure to do so may cause burns. Depending on the type of wart, a single application or 5 to 10 applications are required. Side effects include allergic reactions and the appearance of edema at the application site. One of the features of using the solution is that it is not recommended to use other drugs in the form of ointments before and after application.
- A cosmetic product containing potassium and sodium alkali. When applied to warts, it causes their necrosis. Before use, the healthy areas of the skin around the wart should be rubbed with a cream to prevent burns. Removing a wart with this remedy is quite simple. It is enough to apply one drop every day for a week to the pathological growth. After that, the treatment is stopped. In cases where the wart remains, re-application is made.
- A drug for cryotherapy - getting rid of warts with this tool is one of the methods of cryotherapy. Basically, a single use of the drug is enough. To get rid of the formation, the drug applicator must be pressed to its surface. It freezes the wart. During the procedure, a slight burning sensation or tingling sensation, whitening of the skin may occur.
- Transparent gel - removal of growths on the skin with the help of this tool occurs due to its antiviral effect. It comes in the form of a gel that needs to 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 helps soften buildup and make it easier to mechanically remove. In addition, this patch contains sulfur, which penetrates deep into the skin and, together with salicylic acid, provides a keratolytic effect. How to remove a wart with a patch? First you need to take a warm foot bath, dry the skin with a towel and firmly stick a plaster of the required size on the growth. The plaster is left for two days, then the adhesive plaster is removed, the wart is soaked in warm water, the softened layers are removed (you can use a pumice stone for this). The skin is then dried and a new adhesive plaster is adhered to it. 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 recommended to take immunomodulators, as well as antiviral drugs to eliminate the main etiological factor - human papillomavirus. If the described methods of treatment are ineffective, they resort to laser removal of formations.