Warts are non-inflammatory skin conditions. They look like small tumor formations ranging 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 papilloma virus). This article explains how to get rid of warts.
Etiology
Why do warts appear on the body? As already mentioned, these formations appear on the skin due to the papilloma virus infection. Infection occurs with the slightest damage to the skin (various cuts, scratches, as well as direct contact with a sick person or when sharing infected items). The following factors are beneficial for papilloma virus activation:
- reduced immunity;
- constant stress;
- frequent contact with virus carriers;
- lack of hygiene;
- a visit to the pool or sauna;
- tight and poor quality shoes;
- increased sweating of feet and palms.
Warts form on almost all parts 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, and also on the face. They look like dense round nodules with a rough surface.
- Flat (or juvenile) - are small yellowish nodules that have a rounded 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 schoolchildren and young people.
- Pointed - located in intimate places, have the appearance of cauliflower, dark fleshy or brown, sexually transmitted.
- Plantar warts most often appear on the foot. They are painful, callus-like, and consist of filiform papillae surrounded by significant horny layers.
How to remove warts yourself?
Any formation on the skin can be malignant, so before starting treatment should consult a dermatologist, especially in the following cases:
- if the nipple hurts, bleeds, has changed shape or color;
- if the nipple is large and bothersome;
- if the formation is located on visible parts of the body and is the cause of psychological discomfort;
- if new warts appear constantly.
It is worth noting that improper 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 and help to get rid of warts quickly. 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 with nail scissors. Salicylic ointment is often used to soften plantar warts. To do this, it is applied to the formation and covered with adhesive plaster. The skin is steamed in water for a while, and the keratinized areas are removed. All chemicals specifically designed to fight warts should be used strictly according to instructions.
What are the remedies for treating warts?
The following tools are very effective:
- Solution containing phenol and m-cresol. The drug causes protein coagulation and has a cauterizing effect. It also causes necrosis of pathological formations and peeling of the area of hyperkeratosis, promotes the death of viral cells and enhances epithelialization. The main indications for its use are the removal of warts on the palms and soles, dealing with dry corns, genital warts and ordinary warts. This solution is used only externally. When applied to pathological formations, care must be taken 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 an application of 5 to 10 times is required. Side effects include allergic reactions and the appearance of edema at the site of application. One of the characteristics of the use of the solution is that the use of other drugs in the form of ointments is not recommended before and after application.
- A cosmetic product consisting of potassium and sodium alkali. When applied to the nipples, it leads to their necrosis. Before use, healthy areas of skin around the nipple should be smeared with a cream to prevent burns. With this medicine it is very easy to remove a wart. It is enough to apply only one drop on the pathological growth every day for one week. After that, the treatment is stopped. In cases where the wart remains, re-application is performed.
- Cryotherapy remedy - resolving warts with this tool is one of the methods of cryotherapy. Basically, just one use of the drug is enough. To get rid of the buildup, the drug applicator should be pressed against its surface. This freezes the nipple. Slight tingling or tingling, whitening of the skin may occur during the procedure.
- Transparent gel - removal of growths on the skin with the help of this tool is due to its antiviral action. It comes in the form of a gel, which should 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 deposits and make mechanical removal easier. In addition, this patch contains sulfur that penetrates deep into the skin and together with salicylic acid provides a keratolytic effect. How to remove a wart with a band-aid? First, take a warm foot bath, dry the skin with a towel and stick a patch of the required size firmly on the growth. The plaster is left for two days, after which the adhesive patch is removed, the nipple is soaked in warm water, the softened layers are removed (you can use a float for this). After that, the skin dries and a new sticky patch is applied. This treatment is repeated 3-4 times. In some cases, longer therapy is needed.
Since the appearance of warts is associated with a decrease in immunity, it is recommended to take immunomodulators, as well as antiviral drugs to remove the main etiological factor - human papilloma virus. If the described methods of therapy are ineffective, they resort to laser removal of formations.