Warts are non-inflammatory skin conditions. They look like small formations that look like tumors ranging in size from 1 mm to 1 cm or more. The appearance of warts has a viral etiology (caused by the activation of the human papillomavirus). This article explains how to get rid of warts.
Rationale
Why do warts appear on the body? As already noted, these formations occur on the skin due to papillomavirus infection. The infection occurs with the slightest damage to the skin (with various cuts, scratches, as well as through direct contact with a sick person or when sharing contaminated objects). The following factors are conducive to papillomavirus activation:
- reduced 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 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:
- Common - 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. As a rule, they appear on the face and hands, are often found in students and young people.
- Pointed - found in familiar places, has the appearance of cauliflower, flesh with dark flesh or brown, sexually transmitted.
- Plantar warts are more common on the foot. They are painful, like calluses, and consist of filamentous papillae surrounded by important corneal layers.
How to remove warts yourself?
Skin formations can be malignant, so you should consult a dermatologist before starting treatment, especially in such cases:
- if the wart hurts, bleeds, has changed shape or color.
- if the wart is large and interferes;
- if the formation is located in visible parts of the body and is the cause of psychological discomfort.
- if new warts are constantly appearing.
It is worth noting that improper treatment can lead to malignancy (degeneration into malignancies).
What can you do at home?
After consulting a doctor, it is recommended to use one of the special chemicals sold in pharmacies that help get rid of warts quickly. Before applying any medication, it is recommended to first steam the skin in hot soapy water and soda and then remove the stratum corneum using nail scissors. Salicylic ointment is often used to soften plantar warts. To do this, apply to the formation and cover with adhesive plaster. For some time, the skin is steamed in water and the keratinized areas are removed. Any warts that are specifically designed to fight warts should be used strictly according to the instructions.
What are the remedies for treating warts?
The following tools are extremely effective:
- A solution containing phenol and m-cresol. The drug causes the proteins to coagulate and has a cauterizing effect. It also causes necrosis of pathological formations and exfoliation of hyperkeratotic areas, promotes viral cell death and enhances epithelialization. The main indications for its use are the removal of warts on the palms and soles, the removal of dry granules, genital warts and common warts. The specified solution is used externally only. When applied to pathological formations, care must be taken that the drug does not reach healthy skin. Failure to do so may result in burns. Depending on the type of wart, either a single application or an application 5 to 10 times is necessary. Side effects include allergic reactions and swelling at the application site. One of the characteristics of using the solution is that the use of other drugs in the form of ointments before and after its application is not recommended.
- A cosmetic product consisting of potassium and sodium alkali. When applied to warts, it leads to their necrosis. Before use, the healthy areas of the skin around the warts should be smeared with a cream to prevent burns. It is very simple to remove a wart with this medicine. As long as you apply only one drop to the pathological growth every day for a week. After that, the treatment is stopped. In cases where the wart remains, reapply.
- A remedy for cryotherapy - getting rid of 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 medicine applicator must be pressed against its surface. This freezes the warts. During the procedure, a slight burning sensation or tingling, whitening of the skin may occur.
- Transparent gel - the removal of growths on the skin with the help of this tool occurs due to its antiviral action. It comes in gel form, which must be applied twice a day for 20 days. The duration of treatment depends on the nature and size of the pathological formations.
- Blot. Its main active ingredient is salicylic acid, which helps to soften the accumulation and make it easier to remove mechanically. In addition, this patch contains sulfur, which penetrates deep into the skin and, together with salicylic acid, provides a keratolytic action. How to remove a wart with a patch? You should first take a warm foot bath, dry the skin with a towel and firmly stick a plaster of the required size on the 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 (for this you can use pumice). After that, the skin dries and a new adhesive plaster is glued. This treatment regimen is repeated 3-4 times. In some cases longer treatment is required.
As the appearance of warts is associated with a decrease in immunity, it is also recommended to take immunomodulators, as well as antiviral drugs to eliminate the main causative agent - the human papillomavirus. If the described methods of treatment are ineffective, they resort to laser removal of the formations.