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How to get rid of warts?

Wart on the finger

The skin can be affected by various rashes, inflammations, moles, formations and many others. And how to get rid of warts is also a common question. To combat this nuisance, you need to know the reasons for its occurrence, 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. Externally, they look like moles, but the latter are soft to the touch, smooth and their color is slightly darker than the skin color. Warts are tough because their top layer is the stratum corneum, which makes them unpleasant to the touch and their color is similar to that of the skin. These growths bring considerable discomfort, so it is not surprising that the question of how to get rid of warts is important for those who have encountered them.

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

Where do warts come from?

They are benign neoplasms and are caused by HPV, which means human papillomavirus. Today, medicine knows more than 150 species and all of them provoke the appearance of growths in different areas of the skin. Most often the places of their occurrence are hands (usually hands), legs (mainly feet), elbows, neck, face, knees.

Thus, it is a viral disease that is transmitted through contact. This means that the pathogen can enter the body as follows:

  • Through wounds, scratches on the skin, damaged mucous membranes;
  • By using the same household items with an infected person;
  • With intimacy;
  • In case of use of non-sterile equipment during cosmetic procedures, manicure, pedicure, tattoo, in a medical institution;
  • In the common areas (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 in contact with its carrier or infected surfaces. Growth can occur even six months or more after infection. This is one of the reasons why an infected person has no external signs of illness.

HPV is an infection that is also activated by exposure to negative factors:

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

Types of warts

Here are the basics:

  • Simple;
  • Apartment;
  • Plantar;
  • Filiform.

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

Just

They are also called ordinary or vulgar. This group includes about 70% of all formations of this type. They are usually caused 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, grayish or yellow-brown. They are usually dense to the touch and have a diameter of 2-5 mm.

There are two types of simple growths:

  • Single chamber;
  • Multi-chamber.

The latter need differential diagnosis to ensure that this is indeed the 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.

Apartment

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

More often flat growths are localized in the forearms, back of the hands, on the mucous membranes, on the face, but 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 corns. If you find such a phenomenon in yourself, be sure to contact a cosmetologist or better - a dermatologist. A specialist will help you determine the type and origin of the problem. As is clear from the name of this species, these growths on the feet are affected and adolescents often face this problem. Among all species, this represents about 20-25% of cases.

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

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

Filiform

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

Their formation begins with the appearance of a yellow spot on the skin, which subsequently becomes larger and rougher to the touch. They take an elongated shape, which is why they are called filamentous. In some cases, they acquire a rounded shape, but are located on a thin stem.

What you need to know about HPV?

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

The insidiousness of the infection lies in the fact that, penetrating the body, it is retained in the basal layer of the epithelium. And then different types of viruses manifest in different ways:

  • Representatives of some of them are in the body without affecting the chromosomes of human cells. In this case, benign skin neoplasms are formed;
  • Some types of infections infect and alter the genome of host cells, 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 (the ability to cause cancer):

  • Non-oncogenic (do not cause cancer). 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 (increases the risk of a precancerous condition that can develop into a cancerous tumor). This group previously included 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. One carrier can be found as one strain and several dozen.

There are currently no drugs that can completely rid the human body of HPV. Therefore, talking about how to get rid of warts forever, unfortunately today there is no guarantee that removing them is guaranteed to lead to the fact that they will never return. Such a guarantee can only be provided by the complete elimination of the virus, which is currently not possible.

How does the virus manifest itself?

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

The infection may be accompanied by general weakness, fever. But these manifestations are accompanied by many other diseases, so they must be the reason for the search for a problem in the body.

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

Who can get warts?

They can occur in anyone. Therefore, you can face both how to get rid of a wart in a child and how to eliminate this nuisance in an adult of any age.

Are warts common?

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

Medical methods for removing warts

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

Cryodestruction

  1. In medicine there is another name for this method - cryotherapy. Cryodestruction literally means freezing destruction. For this, liquid nitrogen is used, which has a temperature of -196 degrees C. This is the indicator at which the gas acquires a liquid state.
  2. This method of quick removal of the wart provides that the affected area is treated by freezing the growth tissue. Their cells are cooled so much that the fluid contained in them expands, causing their destruction and resulting in 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 price of the procedure;
    • After such suffocation no traces remain;
    • Speed;
    • There are no contraindications.
  4. But there are drawbacks:
    • If the growths are multiple and large, several procedures may be needed;
    • Recurrence is not excluded;
    • The patient may experience unpleasant, painful sensations during the session.

Laser burning

  1. This is a modern technique, 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 recovers, acquires a healthy color, appearance, structure.
  2. Perhaps there is 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 parts of the body, then this effective method has many advantages:
    • The speed of the procedure - takes 20-30 minutes;
    • No additional sessions are usually required;
    • High efficiency;
    • The technique can be used for patients of all ages and genders;
    • Painlessness is a factor that allows you not to use anesthesia;
    • Rapid rehabilitation;
    • If you are looking for how to get rid of a wart on your finger, face, foot or other areas, this method will work;
    • There is no need for prolonged preparation for manipulation.

Electrocoagulation

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

Surgical removal

  1. This method is rarely used. If it is possible to use a bloodless, less traumatic method (eg laser burns), then it is better to resort to it.
  2. Surgical removal involves cutting the accumulation with a scalpel, and the wound formed on the skin is sutured. The procedure is performed with the help of local anesthesia.
  3. The advantages of the method are the ability of the surgeon to control the depth of penetration of the scalpel and the volume of excision of the affected tissues. It can be used to remove growths from areas of thick skin - such as plantar warts on the legs.
  4. Disadvantages of the method:
    • Its use is associated with blood loss, and in some cases is quite abundant;
    • After its application a noticeable 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 on the affected area. Once the halves of the product are tied, tied with thread, wrapped in paper, sent for storage anywhere (you can go outside). It is believed that the growths will disappear when the fruits fall apart;
    • Acetic acid. Take adhesive plaster, make a hole in it, whose diameter and shape match the parameters of the neoplasm. It should be glued 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, you should form a thick paste. Apply to the wart, wrap around the treated area with a clean towel or bandage. You should apply a new mixture every day until the problem subsides;
    • Ash. Burn a few matches completely after removing the sulfur heads. Grind them to a powder, add a little water to it to get a thick mixture. To get rid of warts at home, it is applied to the affected area, after which the "medicine" should be fixed with a bandage, a clean towel. The procedure is repeated every day until the problem subsides;
    • Celery. Using an infusion of the plant that you can buy at the pharmacy, wipe the growth daily.
  3. Before you get rid of warts with the help of folk methods, consider some of the comments of doctors on this issue. Formal medicine does not consider them effective, as there is no scientific justification for their effect. In addition, a medical consultation is needed, which will allow you to determine the type of neoplasm, its structure. This is necessary to rule out its malignancy.
  4. These are not the best ways to get rid of a baby wart. He will need the help of a specialist - one should not risk the health of a small patient. The doctor will choose one of the most effective methods of action, eliminating the trouble quickly, effectively and painlessly.

Prevention

  1. The phenomenon has a viral etiology and given the ways of transmission of the provocateur, it is necessary to observe certain preventive measures. When visiting common areas, use only your personal belongings, hygiene items. It is desirable to do this in everyday life, on vacation. Barrier contraception should be used to prevent the risk of genital infection.
  2. Warts that appear on the fingers, toes, hands, knees, elbows, face, neck, décolleté are also felt due to reduced immunity. Therefore, if the virus has already entered the body, measures should be taken to increase the body's defenses:
    • Proper nutrition;
    • Sports;
    • Rejection of bad habits;
    • Adequate sleep;
    • Avoid 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 preventative measures to reduce your risks. In addition, you should only be treated by a specialist. This is another way to significantly increase the chances of effectively dealing with the problem.