Warts are non-inflammatory skin diseases. They look like small tumor-like formations that range in size from 1 mm to 1 cm or more. 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 already noted, these formations appear on the skin due to papillomavirus infection. Infection occurs at the slightest damage to the skin (with multiple cuts, scratches, as well as through direct contact with a patient or sharing infected objects). The following factors are favorable for papillomavirus activation:
- decreased immunity;
- constant stress;
- frequent contact with virus carriers;
- lack of hygiene;
- visiting the pool or sauna;
- tight, low-quality shoes;
- increased sweating of the feet and palms.
Warts form in almost all areas of the body (legs, arms, face, head). The incubation period is 2 to 5 months.
Types of Warts
There are the following types:
- Common - These warts appear on the hands (back), fingers, scalp and also on the face. They look like dense round nodules with a rough surface.
- Smooth (or juvenile) - these are small, round-shaped, flat-surfaced, yellowish nodules, slightly protruding above the level of healthy skin. As a rule, they appear on the face and hands, and are often found in school-age children and young people.
- Pointy - located in intimate places, has a cauliflower appearance, dark or brown flesh, sexually transmitted.
- Plantar warts usually appear on the foot. They are painful, similar to calluses and consist of filiform papillae surrounded by significant horny layers.
How to remove warts yourself?
Any skin formations can be malignant, so you should consult a dermatologist before starting treatment, especially in these cases:
- if the wart hurts, bleeds, has changed shape or color;
- if the wart is large and interferes;
- if the formation is located in visible parts of the body and causes psychological discomfort;
- if new warts appear constantly.
It is important to note that inadequate treatment can lead to malignancy (degeneration into malignant forms).
What can you do at home?
After consulting a doctor, it is recommended to use one of the special chemicals that are sold in pharmacies to help get rid of warts quickly. Before applying any pharmaceutical preparation, it is recommended to first spray the skin in hot soapy water and soda and then remove the stratum corneum with nail scissors. Salicylic ointment is often used to soften the plantar wart. For this, it is applied over the formation and covered with a tape. For a time, the skin is vaporized in water and the keratinized areas are removed. Any chemicals specifically designed to fight warts must be used strictly according to instructions.
What are the ways to treat warts?
The following tools are highly effective:
- A solution containing phenol and m-cresol. The drug causes protein clotting and has a cauterizing effect. It also causes necrosis of pathological formations and exfoliation of areas of hyperkeratosis, promotes viral cell death and increases epithelialization. The main indications for its use are the removal of warts on the palms of the hands and feet, eliminating calluses, genital warts and common warts. The specified solution is exclusively used externally. When applied to pathological formations, care must be taken that the drug does not enter healthy skin. Failure to do so could result in burns. Depending on the type of wart, a single application or a 5-10 application is required. Side effects include allergic reactions and the appearance of edema at the application site. One of the characteristics of using the solution is that it is not recommended to use other medications in the form of ointments before and after its application.
- A cosmetic product consisting of potassium and sodium alkalis. When applied to warts, it leads to their necrosis. Before use, the healthy areas of skin around the wart should be greased with a cream to prevent burns. It is very simple to remove a wart with this remedy. Just apply one drop to pathological growth every day for a week. After that, the treatment is stopped. In cases where the wart remains, reapplication is performed.
- A medication 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 eliminate the build-up, the drug applicator must be pressed against its surface. This freezes the wart. During the procedure, there may be a slight burning sensation or a tingling sensation, lightening the skin.
- Transparent gel - the removal of skin growths with the help of this tool is due to its antiviral action. It is presented in the form of a gel, which must be applied twice a day for 20 days. The duration of treatment depends on the nature and size of the pathological formations.
- Correction. Its main active ingredient is salicylic acid, which helps to smooth the build-up and its easier mechanical removal. In addition, this adhesive contains sulfur, which penetrates deeply into the skin and, together with salicylic acid, provides a keratolytic effect. How to remove a wart with a patch? You should first make a hot footbath, dry the skin with a towel, and firmly glue a plaster of the size needed over the growth. The plaster is left on for two days, after which the adhesive is removed, the wart is soaked in warm water, the softened layers are removed (a pumice stone can be used for this). Afterwards, the skin is dried and new tape is applied. This treatment regimen is repeated 3-4 times. In some cases, longer therapy is needed.
As the appearance of warts is associated with decreased immunity, the use of immunomodulators, in addition to antivirals, is also recommended to eliminate the main etiological factor - the human papillomavirus. If the therapy methods described are ineffective, they resort to removing the formations by laser.