Removing warts is a necessary measure, as neoplasms can bring discomfort to a person and look ugly on the skin.Although these formations do not itch and most often do not hurt, they are of viral origin, as a result of which they can easily spread throughout the human body.This is why many doctors recommend removing warts.For this purpose, a specialist chooses the most suitable method.
Causes of warts
Warts are growths on the epidermis;their parameters vary from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter.The cause of the appearance of warts on the epithelium is the papillomavirus, which is infected during contact with a carrier of the virus.
Sometimes a person can independently contribute to the spread of infection on his skin, for example, if he uses the same razor or towel.In medicine, such an infection is called autoinoculation.
Condylomas or warts with sharp edges are most often located in the genital area, so they can only be "caught" during sexual intercourse.
You can become infected with the virus if a person has scratches or wounds on the skin.After the papillomavirus enters the skin, it moves to the cell nucleus, where the reproduction process begins.If a person has a strong immune system, then cells susceptible to infection are destroyed.Otherwise, nearby cells become infected and warts appear on the epidermis.
Types of warts
Papules come in several types: regular, flat, plantar, and sharp-edged.Common neoplasms occur regardless of a person's age group.According to statistics, about 70% of children get sick from the virus.The location of the growths is the back of the hands and the skin between the fingers.Sometimes warts appear on the face, near the lips and on the palms of the hands.
Round-shaped formations can grow up to 1 centimeter above the level of the epithelium.The color of the papules is similar to the color of healthy skin, so it is difficult to notice them in the early stage of the disease.If the formation has been on the skin for a long time, other small growths will form near it.To get rid of the papules, the mother's wart must be removed, in this case the small tumors will have nothing to feed on and will also disappear.
Flat papillomas occur in 4% of people on the planet.They are round and polygonal with a flat and smooth surface.The shade of the warts is pale pink and practically do not rise above the skin level.Localized on the back of the arms, neck, face and chest area.It is sometimes found near the genitals of men and women.
Plantar papules appear on the soles of the feet.They have a rough surface and are somewhat similar to growths fused together.A special feature of these warts is pain during palpation.Plantar papules also cause discomfort when walking.
Condylomas with sharp edges cause pain and discomfort in people.They are located on the skin that is connected to the mucous membrane: around the lips, in the anus, near the urethra, near the external intimate organs and in the conjunctiva.
Warts grow in clusters and look like cauliflower or turkey combs.Very often, growths rupture and open the way for various infections.To avoid serious diseases, you should consider removing the warts.
When should you remove a wart?
Many condylomas do not interfere with a person's life, so no one rushes to see a doctor.In case of a pronounced cosmetic defect, infectious infection of other areas of the epithelium, large growth parameters, intense growth of the papule, changes in color and shade, painful sensations when walking and palpating the papilloma, bleeding from the papule, the alarm should be sounded.
Wart removal methods:
- electrocoagulation;
- removal of radio waves;
- removal with liquid nitrogen (cryodestruction);
- laser removal;
- surgical intervention;
- chemotherapy.
Traditional methods and combined monotherapy also help to remove condylomas.
Doctors treat warts with cytotoxic drugs and immunostimulating drugs.
Features of electrocoagulation of warts
The procedure, in which a specialist uses an electrocoagulator, is considered one of the safest and most effective.The papule is cauterized with a special electrode, which is heated to a very high temperature under the influence of high-frequency current.After the operation, a dry crust (crust) forms at the excision site, which disappears by itself after 10-14 days.
The manipulation is performed under local anesthesia, so the patient does not feel pain or discomfort.The maximum that a patient can feel during the operation is a tingling sensation in the area being removed.After electrocoagulation, the patient has no marks at the wound site.Complete healing of the skin takes about 2 weeks.
The essence of removing radio waves
This technique began to be used by doctors relatively recently and has proven itself to be effective and safe.To remove skin lesions using radio waves, a specialist uses special equipment.Their special feature is that they emit radio waves with a frequency of 3.8 to 4 MHz.
The technology allows you to excise the pathological growth without contacting the epidermis.During the procedure, not only the top layer of the skin is removed, but also the root of the condyloma.The patient does not feel pain during the procedure.After the operation, there are no wounds or scars left on the epithelium.The removed material may be sent for additional histological studies to find out if the growth was benign or malignant.
About cryodestruction
Liquid nitrogen wart removal is particularly popular because it is effective and safe.Cryodestruction allows you to excise even plantar papillomas without the risk of bleeding and infection.
If the formation is small, it can be removed with one manipulation, but if it is large and has a deep root, then most likely the patient will have to undergo surgery twice.
After removal with liquid nitrogen, a scab appears in place of the papule, which disappears after 1.5-2 weeks and a new pink skin remains in its place.The disadvantages of the technology are the formation of small wounds in the epithelium;also, due to the inexperience of the doctor, there is a risk of not completely removing the growth.
Laser removal
The removal of papillomas using a laser has a number of advantages: the operation is painless, there are no skin defects in the form of scars or lips, no special care is required for the wound, the crust detaches from the epidermis 3-4 days after the manipulation.
This procedure is characterized by laser blocking of microscopic vessels in the area of the wart, so the operation is as bloodless as possible.Reshaping of the condyloma is impossible, as the intervention is performed with sterile equipment.The specialist sends the removed tissue for histological examination.
Surgery and chemotherapy
Surgical assistance is necessary if the tumor is large.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.The technique is considered traumatic and leaves defects on the skin.With surgical removal, there is a high probability of papillomavirus reintroduction into the blood.
Sometimes the methods for removing sharp and flat papules are not as effective as we would like, so acid solutions or special medications are used to get rid of the defect.The duration of chemotherapy is at least six procedures.
The solution is applied in the direction of growth, then after a certain period of time the medication is washed off.To avoid allergies or burns, the therapy is carried out under the close supervision of a doctor.
Removal of warts using traditional methods
In folk medicine, there are many ways to help get rid of warts once and for all.Some techniques really help, others, on the contrary, can make the problem worse.
People recommend rubbing the growth with fresh garlic every day until it falls off.People also take magnesium (powder).You should consume the powder every day in a dose of 5 grams.
The method using celandine is quite effective.Twice a day it is necessary to lubricate the growth with celandine juice.The procedure is carried out until the papules detach themselves from the skin.
Another popular method is freezing the warts.Every day you need to apply artificial ice cubes to the wart and keep it for 5-10 minutes.After several such sessions, the growth will disappear.
An aggressive method for removing warts in folk medicine is burning the papules with acetic acid.
Every day you need to put 1 drop of acid on the skin infected with papillomavirus and over time the pathological formation will disappear.Do not apply more than 1 drop to the epithelium, because irritation or an allergic reaction will occur.
You should be very careful with unconventional methods, as they are not a guarantee that a person will get rid of the problem.
If home treatments do not help remove the tumor on their own, you should seek qualified medical help from a dermatologist or surgeon.