Warts are a condition of the skin that is not inflamed. They look like small tumor -like formations with sizes ranging from 1 mm to 1 cm or more. The appearance of warts has a viral etiology (it is caused by the activation of human papillomavirus). This article describes how to get rid of warts.
Etiology
Why do Warts Appear on the Body? As already mentioned, this formation appears on the skin as a result of papillomavirus infection. Infection occurs at slight damage to the skin (with various cuts, scratches, as well as through direct contact with a sick person or when sharing an infected object). The following factors are good for papillomavirus activation:
- decreased immunity;
- constant stress;
- frequent contact with virus carriers;
- lack of hygiene;
- visiting a swimming pool or sauna;
- tight and low quality shoes;
- increased sweating on the feet and palms.
Warts 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:
- Common - such warts appear on the hands (on the back), on the fingers, scalp, and even on the face. They look like dense round nodules with a rough surface.
- Flat (or juvenile) - is a small yellowish nodule that has a round shape and a flat surface and protrudes slightly above the level of healthy skin. As a rule, they appear on the face and hands, they are often found in school children and young people.
- Spiky - located in an intimate place, has the appearance of cauliflower, dark flesh or brown, sexually transmitted.
- Plantar warts most often appear on the feet. It is painful, callus -like, and consists of filiform papillae surrounded by a prominent corneal layer.
How to get rid of 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 warts are painful, bleeding, have changed shape or color;
- if the warts are large and annoying;
- if the formation is located on a visible part of the body and is a cause of psychological discomfort;
- if new warts always appear.
Keep in mind that improper treatment can lead to malignancy (degeneration to a malignant form).
What can you do at home?
After consulting a doctor, it is recommended to use one of the special chemicals sold in pharmacies and help get rid of warts quickly. Before using any pharmaceutical preparation, it is recommended to first steam the skin in hot water with soap and soda, and then remove the stratum corneum using nail clippers. Salicylic ointment is often used to soften plantar warts. To do this, it is applied on the formation and covered with an adhesive plaster. For some time, the skin is steamed in water and areas of keratin are removed. Any chemicals specifically designed to combat warts should be used strictly as directed.
What is the way to treat warts?
The following tools are very effective:
- Solutions containing phenol and m-cresol. This drug causes protein clotting and has a cauterizing effect. It also causes necrosis of pathological formation and exfoliation of areas of hyperkeratosis, promotes viral cell death and enhances epithelialization. The main indications for its use are to get rid of warts on the palms of the hands and feet, get rid of dry corns, genital warts, and common warts. The specified solution is used exclusively externally. When used on pathological formations, care must be taken so that the drug does not get healthy skin. Failure to do so may result in burns. Depending on the type of wart, either one swab or 5 to 10 swabs is needed. Side effects include allergic reactions and the appearance of edema at the site of application. One of the features of using the solution is that it is not recommended to use other drugs in the form of ointments before and after its use.
- Cosmetic products consisting of potassium and sodium alkali. When applied on warts, it leads to their necrosis. Before use, the healthy skin area around the wart should be rubbed with a cream to prevent burns. It is quite easy to get rid of warts with this medication. It is enough to apply just one drop to the pathological growth every day for a week. After that, treatment was stopped. In cases where the warts remain, re -application is carried out.
- Remedy for cryotherapy - getting rid of warts with this tool is one of the methods of cryotherapy. Basically, one use of the drug is sufficient. To eliminate the buildup, the drug applicator should be pressed to its surface. It freezes the warts. During the procedure, a slight burning sensation or a tingling sensation, skin whitening may appear.
- Transparent gel - removal of growths on the skin with the help of this tool occurs due to its antiviral action. It comes in gel form, which needs to be used twice a day for 20 days. The duration of treatment depends on the nature and size of the pathological formation.
- Patches. Its main active ingredient is salicylic acid, which helps soften the formation and make mechanical removal easier. In addition, these patches contain sulfur, which penetrates deep into the skin and, together with salicylic acid, gives a keratolytic effect. How to get rid of warts with a patch? You should first make a warm foot bath, dry the skin with a towel and glue a plaster of the required size on its growth. The plaster is left for two days, after which the adhesive plaster is removed, the warts are soaked in warm water, a soft layer is removed (for this you can use 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 decreased immunity, it is also recommended to take immunomodulators, as well as antiviral drugs to eliminate the main etiological factor - human papillomavirus. If the described methods of therapy are not effective, they use laser removal on the formation.