Warts are non-inflammatory skin diseases. They appear as small glass-like formations ranging in size from 1 mm to 1 cm or more. The appearance of warts has a viral etiology (they are caused by activation of human papillomavirus). 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 papillomavirus infection. Infection occurs during the slightest damage to the skin (various cuts, scratches, as well as direct contact with a sick person or sharing infected items). The following factors are favorable for the activation of papillomavirus:
- reduction of immunity;
- constant stress;
- frequent contact with virus carriers;
- lack of hygiene;
- visit the pool or sauna;
- tight and low quality shoes;
- increased sweating of the feet and palms.
Warts can form on almost any 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.
- Straight (or juvenile) - small yellowish nodules that have a round shape and a flat surface and rise slightly above the level of healthy skin. As a rule, they appear on the face and hands, often in schoolchildren and young people.
- Tip - located in intimate places, has a cauliflower, dark fleshy or brown appearance, sexually transmitted.
- Plantar warts are most often seen on the feet. 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 you should consult a dermatologist before starting treatment, especially in such cases:
- if the wart hurts, bleeds, changes shape or color;
- if the wart is large and interferes;
- if the formation is located in the visible parts of the body and is the cause of psychological distress;
- if new warts appear constantly.
It should be noted 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 preparation, it is recommended to first steam the skin in warm water with soap and soda, then remove the stratum corneum with nail clippers. Salicylic ointment is often used to soften plantar warts. To do this, it is applied to the mold and covered with an adhesive plaster. For a while, the skin evaporates in water and keratinized areas are removed. Any chemicals specifically designed to fight warts should be used strictly according to the instructions.
What are the remedies to treat warts?
The following tools are very 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 erosion of areas 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, getting rid of dry corns, genital warts and common warts. This solution is used only externally. When applied to pathological formations, care must be taken to ensure that the drug does not fall on healthy skin. Failure to do so may result in burns. Depending on the type of wart, it should be applied either alone or 5-10 times. Side effects include allergic reactions and the appearance of edema at the site of application. One of the peculiarities of the use of the solution is that it is not recommended to use other drugs in the form of ointments before and after its application.
- Cosmetic product containing potassium and sodium alkali. When applied to warts, it causes their necrosis. Before use, healthy areas of skin around the wart should be rubbed with a cream to prevent burns. It is very simple to remove warts with this tool. It is enough to inject only one drop of pathological growth every day for a week. After that, treatment is stopped. It is applied again in case of warts.
- Medication for cryotherapy - one of the methods of cryotherapy to get rid of warts with this tool. In general, a single use of the drug is sufficient. To get rid of the structure, the drug applicator should be pressed on its surface. This freezes the wart. During the procedure, a slight burning sensation or tingling sensation, pale skin may appear.
- Clear gel - the removal of growths on the skin with the help of this tool occurs due to its antiviral action. It comes in the form of a gel that 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 to soften the build-up and make it easier to remove mechanically. In addition, this patch contains sulfur, which penetrates deep into the skin and has a keratolytic effect in combination with salicylic acid. How to remove a wart with a patch? First you need to take a warm foot bath, dry the skin with a towel and apply a plaster of the size necessary for growth. The plaster is left for two days, after which 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). After that, the skin is dried and a new adhesive plaster is applied on it. 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 recommended to take immunomodulators, as well as antiviral drugs to eliminate the main etiological factor - human papillomavirus. If the described methods of therapy are ineffective, they resort to laser removal of formations.