Warts are a non-inflammatory skin condition. They look like small tumor-like formations ranging in size from 1 mm to 1 cm or more. The appearance of warts has a viral etiology (caused by activation of the human papillomavirus). This article describes how to remove warts.
Etiology
Why do warts appear on the body? As already noted, these formations appear on the skin due to infection with the papillomavirus. Infection occurs at the slightest damage to the skin (by various cuts, scrapes, as well as through direct contact with a sick person or when sharing infected objects). The following factors are favorable for papillomavirus activation:
- decreased immunity;
- constant stress;
- frequent contact with virus carriers;
- lack of cleanliness;
- visiting the pool or sauna;
- tight and low-quality shoes;
- increased sweating of the feet and palms.
Warts form on almost any area 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 (on the back), on the fingers, scalp, as well as on the face. They look like solid round nodules with a rough surface.
- Flat (or juvenile) - are small yellowish nodules that have a rounded shape and flat surface and protrude slightly above the level of healthy skin. Usually, they appear on the face and hands, they are often found in schoolchildren and adolescents.
- Spiky - located in intimate places, has the appearance of cauliflower, dark or brown flesh, sexually transmitted.
- Plantar warts most commonly appear on the feet. They are painful, callus-like, and consist of filiform papillae surrounded by a significant layer of cornea.
How to get rid of warts yourself?
Any formation on the skin can become malignant, so you should consult a dermatologist before starting treatment, especially in cases such as:
- if the wart hurts, bleeds, has changed shape or color;
- if the wart is large and bothersome;
- if the formation is located in a visible part of the body and is the cause of psychological discomfort;
- if new warts keep appearing.
It should be noted that improper treatment can lead to malignancy (degeneration into a malignant form).
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 and help to quickly remove warts. Before applying any pharmaceutical preparations, it is recommended to first steam the skin in hot water with soap and soda, then remove the stratum corneum using nail clippers. Salicylic ointments are often used to soften plantar warts. To do this, it is applied to the formation and covered with adhesive plaster. For some time, the skin is steamed in water and the keratinized areas are removed. Any chemical specifically designed to combat warts should be used strictly as directed.
What are the means to treat warts?
The following tools are very effective:
- A solution containing phenol and m-cresol. This drug causes protein coagulation and has a burning effect. It also causes necrosis of pathological formations and exfoliation of hyperkeratotic areas, promotes viral cell death and promotes epithelialization. The main indications for its use are removing warts on the palms of the hands and feet, removing dry corns, genital warts, and common warts. The specified solution is used exclusively externally. When applied to pathological formations, care should be taken so that the drug does not get on healthy skin. Failure to do so may result in burns. Depending on the type of wart, either a single application or 5 to 10 applications is required. Side effects include allergic reactions and the appearance of edema at the site of application. One of the characteristics 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 consisting of alkaline potassium and sodium. When applied to warts, it causes their necrosis. Before use, the healthy skin area around the wart should be smeared with cream to prevent burns. It is quite easy to get rid of warts with this remedy. It is enough to apply only one drop to the pathological growth every day for a week. After that, the treatment was discontinued. In cases where the wart persists, re-application is performed.
- Medicine for cryotherapy - removing warts with this tool is one of the methods of cryotherapy. Basically, a single use of the drug is enough. To remove buildup, the drug applicator must be pressed against its surface. It freezes the wart. During the procedure, a slight burning or tingling sensation, whitening of the skin may appear.
- Transparent gel - the removal of growths on the skin with the help of this tool occurs due to its antiviral action. It comes in a gel form, which has to be applied twice a day for 20 days. The duration of treatment depends on the nature and size of the pathological formation.
- Patches. The main active ingredient is salicylic acid, which helps soften the buildup and remove it mechanically more easily. In addition, these patches contain sulfur, which penetrates deep into the skin and, together with salicylic acid, exerts a keratolytic effect. How to get rid of warts with a patch? You must first make a warm foot bath, dry the skin with a towel and apply a plaster of the required size to the growth. The plaster is left for two days, after which the adhesive tape is removed, the wart is immersed in warm water, the soft layer is removed (for this you can use a pumice stone). After that, the skin is dried and a new adhesive plaster is applied. This treatment regimen is repeated 3-4 times. In some cases, longer therapy is required.
Since the appearance of warts is associated with a decrease in immunity, it is also recommended to use immunomodulators, as well as antiviral drugs to eliminate the main etiological factor - human papillomavirus. If the described therapeutic methods are ineffective, they use a laser to remove the formation.