How to get rid of warts?

Warts on the finger

The skin can be affected by various rashes, inflammations, moles, formations and much more. And how to get rid of warts is also a common question. While struggling with this trouble, you need to know for what reasons it was born, what are its varieties, methods of elimination and preventive measures.

What are warts?

These are formations on the skin in the form of nodular growths. Outwardly, they resemble moles, but the latter are soft to the touch, smooth, and their color is slightly darker than the color of the skin. Warts are difficult because their top layer is a corneal layer, due to which they are uncomfortable to the touch, and their color is similar to that of the skin. These growths bring considerable concerns, so it is not surprising that the question of how to get rid of warts is important to those who have encountered them.

A feature of these formations is that they have the ability to grow - after the appearance of one, the others appear, but, as a rule, with smaller sizes. They can affect the genitals (genital warts are formed here), mucous membranes and various parts of the body.

Where do warts come from?

They are benign neoplasms and their provocateur is HPV, which means human papilloma virus. Today, medicine recognizes more than 150 of its types, and all provoke the appearance of growths in different areas of the skin. Most often, the places of their appearance are the hands (usually the hands), the feet (mainly the feet), the elbows, the neck, the face, the knees.

Thus, it is a viral disease that is transmitted by contact. This means that the pathogen can enter the body like this:

  • Through wounds, scratches on the skin, damaged mucous membranes;
  • Using the same household items with an infected person;
  • With intimacy;
  • In the case of the use of non-sterile equipment during cosmetic procedures, manicure, pedicure, tattoo, in a medical institution;
  • In common areas (swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, etc. ).

Even if the integrity of the skin, mucous membranes is not compromised, the risk of infection with the virus is not excluded from contact with its carrier or infected surfaces. Growths can appear up to six months or more after infection. This is one of the reasons that an infected person may not have external signs of the disease.

HPV is an infection that is activated even when exposed to negative factors:

  • Decreased immunity;
  • Hormonal imbalance;
  • Presence of serious concomitant diseases, infectious diseases (in particular, HIV);
  • Frequent depression;
  • Long-term treatment with the same drugs;
  • Presence of bad habits.

Types of warts

Here are the main ones:

  • Simple (common);
  • Flat;
  • Insoles;
  • Filiform.

Each of the types of formations has its own characteristics, appearance, structure.

Simple

They are also called ordinary or vulgar. This group includes about 70% of all formations of this type. They are usually provoked by HPV types 2 and 4. They can infect almost any area of the skin. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that they rise significantly above it and are usually round in shape. The color of the formations is flesh-colored, gray or yellow-brown. They are usually dense to the touch, and their diameter is 2-5 mm.

There are two types of simple increments:

  • Single room;
  • With many rooms.

The latter need differential diagnosis, which will ensure that this is really the given type of these formations. How to get rid of warts on the hands, feet, elbows, knees and other parts of the body where they appear depends on establishing an accurate diagnosis.

house

The peculiarity of this type of growths is that they, like vulgar formations, form on the surface of the skin, but they protrude slightly above it. This species owns 4% -5% of the total number of formations caused by HPV.

Most often flat growths are localized in the forearm area, the back of the hands, the mucous membranes, the face, but they can also form in other areas.

Doctors note that children and adolescents are more susceptible to this type of growth.

Plantar

The appearance of such growths resembles ordinary corn. If you find a similar phenomenon in yourself, be sure to contact a cosmetologist, or rather - a dermatologist. A specialist will help determine the type and origin of the problem. As is clear from the name of this species, these toe protrusions are affected and adolescents often face this problem. Among all species, this accounts for about 20-25% of cases.

The location of these formations is such that they are often damaged, and especially if a person wears uncomfortable and tight shoes. They almost never bleed, but the way to get rid of warts on the feet should be of interest to the person who has these growths.

Increased humidity of this part of the body, the presence of opportunistic microorganisms in it - these factors often provoke suppuration. In this case, you may need to contact a trauma surgeon. But this can be avoided if you take care of how to get rid of the toe wart in time and eliminate this problem.

Filiform

In medicine, they are called chords. They are benign neoplasms with an elongated shape, and their size reaches 5-6 mm. Most often, chords are located on the neck, face, armpits, groin area, in women can occur under the breast.

Their formation begins with the appearance of a yellow spot on the skin, which then becomes larger and tougher to the touch. They take on an elongated shape, hence they are called filamentous. In some cases, they take on a rounded shape, but they are located on a thin stalk.

What you need to know about HPV?

This is a group of viruses with more than 150 types. The infection is transmitted quite simply, so today skin manifestations caused by HPV are quite common. Doctors cite statistics that say that more than 60% of the world's population are carriers of one type or another of this virus.

The secret of the infection lies in the fact that, penetrating the body, it stays in the basal layer of the epithelium. And then different types of virus appear in different ways:

  • Representatives of some of them are in the body without touching the chromosomes of human cells. In this case, benign neoplasms of the skin are formed;
  • Some types of infection infect and alter the host cell genome, in which case malignant tumors develop.

Depending on how the virus behaves in the human body, its types are divided according to the level of oncogenicity (ability to cause cancer):

  • Non-oncogenic (do not cause oncological diseases). This group includes 1-5, 10, 28, 49 species;
  • Low oncogenicity (almost never provokes the development of malignant diseases). This category includes, in particular, 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40-44, 51, 72 species;
  • Medium risk HPV. These include types 26, 30, 35, 52, 56, 65;
  • High oncogenicity (increasing the risk of a precancerous condition that may develop into a cancerous tumor). This group previously includes 16, 18, 31, 45 species. The first two (16 and 18) are often the cause of cervical cancer in women.

If a person is infected with some types of virus, this does not rule out the risk of becoming infected with others. A carrier can be found as one type, and several dozen.

At present, there is no medicine that can completely save the human body from HPV. Therefore, talking about how to get rid of warts forever, unfortunately, today there is no guarantee that their removal is guaranteed to lead to the fact that they will never come back. Such a guarantee can only be provided with complete elimination of the virus, which is currently not possible.

How does the virus appear?

Skin growths are the main manifestation of its presence in the body. If an infection lives in it that affects the internal genitals of women, then their manifestations in the form of genital warts can be detected during examination by a gynecologist, but the doctor does not make such a diagnosis "by eye". Staining is obtained for PCR, and this analysis determines the presence or absence of HPV and its strain on the body.

Infection may be associated with general weakness, fever. But these manifestations are accompanied by many other diseases, so they must be the reason for looking for a problem in the body.

Doctors note that if an infected person has good immunity, he leads a healthy lifestyle, is not sensitive to depression, stress and other negative factors, the virus may not appear for years without disrupting its carrier.

Who can get warts?

They can appear in any person. Therefore, you can face how to get rid of a wart in a child, as well as how to eliminate this trouble in an adult of any age.

Are the warts spread?

The growths themselves, which appear as a result of exposure to the virus, are not transmitted. But you can become infected with HPV from a person who is infected with it, and he is already able to become provocative of the appearance of formations on the skin. Since it is very easy to get infected with the virus, you should refrain from contact with its carriers, be careful in daily life, using only objects.

Medical methods for removing warts

  1. It should be borne in mind that removing warts on the face, legs, arms, neck and other parts of the body is not the same as removing HPV. Neoplasms in the skin are the consequences of the impact of the provocateur on the body, and if it is impossible to get rid of the infection itself completely at the moment, then it is possible to get rid of its consequences. But modern medicine knows how to weaken the virus. This can be done with the help of antiviral agents, immunomodulators.
  2. Other methods are used to eliminate the neoplasms themselves.

Cryodestruction

  1. There is another name for this method in medicine - cryotherapy. Cryodestruction literally means freezing destruction. Liquid nitrogen is used for this, with a temperature of -196 degrees C. This is the indicator in which the gas acquires a liquid state.
  2. This method of rapid salvage of the lesion ensures that the affected area is treated by freezing the growth tissue. Their cells have cooled so much that the fluid they contain expands, causing their destruction, and, as a result, the death of the entire neoplasm.
  3. The advantages of a method that allows you to quickly and effectively get rid of the wart:
    • The method can be used to treat children;
    • Affordable cost of the procedure;
    • After such a moxibustion, no trace remains;
    • Speed;
    • There are no contraindications.
  4. But there are also disadvantages:
    • If the increases are numerous and large, several procedures may be required;
    • Return is not excluded;
    • The patient may experience uncomfortable, painful sensations during the session.

Laser burning

  1. This is a modern technique, which is also called laser evaporation. Its essence lies in the fact that the affected area is exposed to light, due to which the growth cells evaporate. Then a crust appears in its place, and after a while the skin returns, gets a healthy color, appearance, texture.
  2. There is probably only one drawback of this method - the relatively high cost. But if you need to get rid of high quality warts on the face, arms, legs and any other part of the body, then this effective method has many advantages:
    • Speed of the procedure - takes 20-30 minutes;
    • No additional sessions are usually required;
    • High efficiency;
    • The technique can be used for patients of any age and gender;
    • Painless is a factor that allows you to not use anesthesia;
    • Rapid rehabilitation;
    • If you are looking for how to get rid of a wart on your toe, face, foot or other areas, this method will work;
    • No need for long preparation for manipulation.

Electrocoagulation

  1. The method involves the destruction of neoplastic cells by means of high-frequency current. Since the beginning of the use of laser evaporation, this method of removal of growths has become less common.
  2. However, it has its advantages:
    • Speed of procedure;
    • High efficiency;
    • Rapid skin rehabilitation and healing;
    • Affordable price;
    • The physician can control the depth of penetration of current discharges;
    • After the procedure, the skin recovers quickly, acquires a healthy look and color.
  3. Disadvantages of this method, how to get rid of warts on toes, feet, elbows, knees, etc . :
    • It will not work if the affected area is large. In such cases, the appearance of signs is possible;
    • The procedure can be painful;
    • Use of this technique may be associated with a small but blood loss;
    • It is not recommended to use this method to eliminate formations in sensitive areas of the skin - face, neck, décolleté.

Surgical removal

  1. This method is rarely used. If there is a possibility of using a bloodless, less traumatic method (for example, laser burning), then it is better to use it.
  2. Surgical removal involves cutting the pile with a scalpel, and the wound formed on the skin is sutured. The procedure is performed using local anesthesia.
  3. The advantages of the method are the ability of the operating physician to control the depth of penetration of the scalpel and the volume of incision of the affected tissue. Can be used to remove growths from areas with thick skin - for example, plantar warts on the feet.
  4. Disadvantages of the method:
    • Its use is associated with blood loss, and in some cases is quite abundant;
    • After its application, a visible scar may remain;
    • After surgical removal, the duration of rehabilitation can be long as well as the healing time of the skin.

How to remove warts with folk remedies?

  1. They are used at home, their effect is similar to moxibustion methods, and there are many ways to deal with this problem.
  2. How to get rid of warts at home and what remedies are considered effective for this?
    • Apples, beets, potatoes. You can choose one of these products. It is cut into two parts, each of which is rubbed into the affected area. Once the product halves are tied, tied with a thread, wrapped in paper, sent to storage everywhere (you can go outside). It is believed that the growths will disappear when the fruit breaks;
    • Acetic acid. Take an adhesive plaster, make a hole in it, the diameter and shape of which corresponds to the parameters of the neoplasm. It should stick to the skin around the growth so that the latter is in the hole of the adhesive plaster. Combine a little vinegar and wheat flour, a thick lattice should form. Apply to the wart, wrapped around the treated area with a clean cloth or bandage. Every day you have to apply a new mixture until the problem goes away;
    • Ash Burn completely a few matches after removing the sulfur heads. Grind them into a powder, add a little water to it to make a thick mixture. To get rid of warts at home, it is applied to the affected area, after which the "medicine" should be fixed using a bandage, a clean cloth. The procedure is repeated daily until the problem resolves;
    • Celandine. Using an herbal infusion, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, wipe the growth daily.
  3. Before getting rid of warts using popular methods, consider some of the doctors comments on this issue. Formal medicine does not consider them effective, as there is no scientific justification for their effect. In addition, medical advice is required, which will allow you to determine the type of neoplasm, its structure. This is necessary to rule out its malice.
  4. These are not the best ways to get rid of baby wart. He will need the help of a specialist - he should not endanger the health of a small patient. The doctor will choose one of the most effective methods of action, eliminating troubles quickly, effectively and painlessly.

Prophylaxis

  1. The phenomenon has a viral etiology and, given the ways in which its provocateur is transmitted, it is necessary to follow some preventive measures. When visiting the usual places, use only your personal belongings, hygiene items. It is desirable to do this in everyday life, on vacation. To prevent the risk of genital infection, barrier contraception should be used.
  2. Warts that appear on the fingers, feet, hands, knees, elbows, face, neck, décolleté also feel themselves due to decreased immunity. Therefore, if the virus has already entered the body, measures should be taken to increase the body's defenses:
    • Proper nutrition;
    • Sport;
    • Rejection of bad habits;
    • Adequate sleep;
    • Avoiding stress, depression and other negative emotional states.

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to get rid of warts forever, unfortunately. But this does not mean that they are guaranteed to return after treatment. Take precautions to reduce your risks. In addition, you should only be treated by a specialist. This is another way to greatly increase the chances of effectively tackling the problem.