Warts are a non-inflammatory skin disease. They appear as small tumor-like derivatives 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 explains how to get rid of warts.
Etiology
Why do warts appear on the body? As already mentioned, these formations on the skin are caused by papillomavirus infection. The infection occurs with the slightest damage to the skin (various cuts, scratches, as well as during direct contact with the sick person or by sharing infected items). The following factors are beneficial for papillomavirus activation:
- decreased immunity;
- constant stress;
- frequent contact with virus carriers;
- lack of hygiene;
- a visit to the pool or sauna;
- tight and low quality shoes;
- increased sweating of the feet and palms.
Warts form almost anywhere on the body (legs, arms, face, head). The incubation period is 2-5 months.
Wart species
There are the following types:
- Usually - such warts appear on the hands (back), on the fingers, scalp, as well as on the face. They look like dense round nodules with a rough surface.
- Flat (or juvenile) are small yellowish nodules that have a round shape and a flat surface and protrude slightly above the level of healthy skin. They usually appear on the face and hands and are often found in students and young people.
- Pointed - located in intimate places, looks like cauliflower, dark flesh or brown, transmitted sexually.
- Plantar warts usually occur on the foot. They are painful, scaly, and consist of filiform papillae surrounded by significant stratum corneum.
How to remove warts yourself?
Any skin formations can be malignant, so you should consult a dermatologist before starting treatment, especially in the following cases:
- if the wart hurts, bleeds, changes shape or color;
- if the wart is large and interfering;
- if the derivative is in visible parts of the body and is the cause of psychological discomfort;
- if new warts keep appearing.
It is worth mentioning that improper treatment can lead to malignancy (degeneration into malignancies).
What can you do at home?
After consulting your 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 pharmaceuticals, it is recommended to first soak the skin in hot water with soap and soda, and then remove the stratum corneum with scissors. Salicylic ointment is often used to soften plantar warts. To do this, it is applied to the formation and covered with adhesive plaster. For a while, the skin is evaporated in water and the keratinized areas are removed. Any chemicals specifically designed to combat warts must be used in strict accordance with the instructions.
What are the treatments for warts?
These measures are very effective:
- Solution containing phenol and m-cresol. The drug causes protein clotting and has a cauterizing effect. It also causes necrosis of pathological derivatives and exfoliation of hyperkeratosis areas, promotes viral cell death, and enhances epithelialization. The main indications for its use are the removal of warts on the palms of the hands, the removal of dry corn, genital warts and common warts. The specified solution is for external use only. When used on pathological derivatives, care should be taken to avoid contact with healthy skin. Failure to do so may result in burns. Depending on the type of wart, apply once or 5 to 10 times. Side effects include allergic reactions and edema at the site of application. One of the features of the solution is that the use of other ointments before and after it is not recommended.
- Cosmetic product consisting of potassium and sodium hydroxide. When applied to warts, it causes their necrosis. Before use, apply a cream to healthy areas around the wart to prevent burns. Removing a wart is fairly easy. One drop of it is enough to lubricate the pathological regrowth daily for a week. Treatment is then stopped. In cases where the wart persists, repeat.
- Cryotherapy medicine - getting rid of warts with this tool is one of the methods of cryotherapy. A single dose is generally sufficient. The applicator should be pressed against the surface to remove any deposits. This freezes the wart. During the procedure, a slight sensation of burning or tingling may occur and the skin may turn red.
- Transparent gel - the removal of skin growths using this tool is due to its antiviral effect. It is 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 to soften accumulated areas and makes it easier to remove them mechanically. 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 make a warm foot bath, dry the skin with a towel and stick the plaster of the right size firmly on the growth. The plaster is left for two days, then the sticky plaster is removed, the wart is soaked in warm water, and the softened layers are removed (pumice can be used for this). 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 needed.
Because the development of warts is associated with a decrease in immunity, the use of immunomodulators as well as antiviral drugs is also recommended to eliminate the main etiological factor, the human papillomavirus. If the treatments described are ineffective, they undertake laser removal of the formations.