Removing warts is a necessary measure, since neoplasms can cause 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 in 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 a papillomavirus, which is infected by contact with a carrier of the virus.
Sometimes a person can independently contribute to the spread of the infection on their skin, for example, if they use the same razor or towel.In medicine, such an infection is called autoinoculation.
Condylomas or warts with sharp edges are most often found in the genital area, so they can only be "caught" during intercourse.
You can get the virus if a person has scrapes or sores 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 with sharp edges.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.Warts sometimes appear on the face, near the lips and on the palms of the hands.
Formations with a round shape 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, which is why it is difficult to notice in the early stages of the disease.If the formation is on the skin for a long time, other small formations will form near it.To get rid of the papules, you need to remove the mother wart, in this case the small tumors will have nothing to feed on and they will also disappear.
Flat papillomas occur in 4% of people on the planet.They are round and polygonal with a flat smooth surface.The shade of the warts is pale pink and they practically do not rise above the level of the skin.Localized on the back of the hands, 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 somewhat resemble growths fused together.A feature of these warts is the pain during palpation.Plantar papules also cause discomfort when walking.
Condylomas with sharp edges cause pain and discomfort to people.They are found on the skin that connects to the mucous membranes: around the lips, in the anus, near the urethra, near the external intimate organs and on the conjunctiva.
Warts grow in clusters and look like a cauliflower or rooster comb.Quite often, growths crack and open the way to various infections.To avoid serious illness, you should consider removing warts.
When should you remove the wart?
Many condylomas do not interfere with a person's life, so no one is in a hurry to go to the doctor.In case of a pronounced cosmetic defect, infectious infection of other areas of the epithelium, large parameters of growths, intensive growth of the papule, changes in color and shade, painful sensations when walking and palpating the papilloma, bleeding from the papule, should be alarmed.
Methods of excision of warts:
- electrocoagulation;
- removal of radio waves;
- removal with liquid nitrogen (cryodestruction);
- laser removal;
- surgical intervention;
- chemotherapy.
Traditional methods and combined monotherapy also help to get rid of warts.
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 that is heated to a very high temperature under the influence of a high-frequency current.After the operation, a dry scab (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 and discomfort.The maximum that the patient can feel during the operation is a slight numbness in the area that is being removed.After electrocoagulation, the patient has no scars at the wound site.Complete healing of the skin takes about 2 weeks.
The essence of radio wave ablation
This technique began to be used by doctors relatively recently and has proven to be effective and safe.To cut out skin lesions with the help of radio waves, the specialist uses special devices.Their feature is that they emit radio waves with a frequency of 3.8 to 4 MHz.
The technology allows you to cut out the pathological growth without contact with 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 on the epithelium, no scars or scars remain.The removed material may be sent for further histological examinations to determine whether the mass is benign or malignant.
About cryodestruction
Wart removal with liquid nitrogen is particularly popular because it is effective and safe.Cryodestruction allows you to cut out 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, the patient will most likely have to undergo surgery twice.
After removal with liquid nitrogen, a scab appears at the site of the papule, which disappears after 1.5-2 weeks, and new pink skin remains in its place.The disadvantages of the technology are the formation of small scars on the epithelium;in addition, due to the inexperience of the doctor, there is a risk of not completely removing the growth.
Laser removal
Excision of papillomas with a laser has a number of advantages: the operation is painless, there are no defects on the skin in the form of scars or edges, no special care of the wound is required, the scab is separated 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.Re-formation of condylomas is impossible, since the intervention is carried out with sterile equipment.The specialist sends the removed tissue for histological examination.
Surgery and chemotherapy
Surgery is required 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 excision, there is a high probability of re-entering the papillomavirus into the blood.
Sometimes the methods of removing pointed and flat papules are not as effective as we would like, so to get rid of the defect, acid solutions or special drugs are used.The duration of chemotherapy is at least six procedures.
The solution is applied pointwise to the growths, after which the drugs are washed off after a certain period of time.To avoid allergies or burns, the therapy is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Removal of warts by traditional methods
In folk medicine, there are many ways to help get rid of warts once and for all.Some techniques really help, others can, on the contrary, make the problem worse.
People recommend rubbing the growth with fresh garlic every day until it falls off.People also take magnesium (powdered).You should consume the powder daily in a dose of 5 grams.
The celendin method is quite effective.Twice a day it is necessary to lubricate the growth with celandine juice.The procedure is carried out until the papules separate from the skin on their own.
Another popular method is the freezing of warts.Every day you should apply artificial ice cubes on the wart and hold for 5-10 minutes.After several such sessions, the growth will disappear.
An aggressive method of removing warts in folk medicine is burning the papules with acetic acid.
Every day you need to drip 1 drop of acid on the skin infected with the 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 non-traditional methods, as they are not a guarantee that a person will get rid of the problem.
If home treatment does not help to remove the tumor yourself, you should seek qualified medical help from a dermatologist or surgeon.