Periungual warts are a common and very unpleasant problem. Skin growths in this place cause a lot of discomfort, often give in to injuries and sometimes lead to deformations of the nail plate. Of course, many people are interested in additional information about such a pathology. Why do warts appear? Is there any way to prevent their formation? How to get rid of periungual warts? What are the risks associated with a lack of therapy?
Periungual warts: photo and general information
To begin with, it is worth familiarizing yourself with general information about pathology. The periungual wart is a benign neoplasm, the appearance of which is associated with the pathological proliferation of epithelial cells. Papilloma virus can affect the skin around the nails on both the arms and legs.
Warts have the appearance of small rounded seals, the surface of which rises slightly above the surface layer of the skin. Often the tissue of the neoplasm is horny and begins to peel off. Sometimes small cracks or wounds appear on the skin. The wart itself is painless. The appearance of such neoplasms is not accompanied by physical discomfort, itching, burning and other unpleasant sensations.
Why do warts appear?
The appearance of warts on the skin (including the periungual) is associated with the activation of the human papillomavirus . There are more than a hundred varieties of the virus that can infect the human body.
Activation of the virus causes proliferation and rapid cell growth - this is how a wart occurs. The causative agent can enter the body through scratches, wounds and abrasions on the skin. In addition, the virus is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person during intercourse. A child can catch an infection from the mother during fetal development or during the passage of the birth canal.
Are there any risk factors?
According to statistics, millions of people are carriers of the human papillomavirus. But the penetration of infection into the body does not always end the formation of skin growths. The number of viral particles is strictly controlled by the immune system. A decrease in the activity of the body's defenses leads to an acceleration of the virus reproduction processes. Risk factors include weakened immunity, which is observed, for example, in acute and chronic inflammatory processes, immunodeficiency states, etc.
There are other risk factors that you should familiarize yourself with:
- Tissue infection and the formation of periungual warts are often the result of improper manicure and the use of non-sterile instruments during the procedure.
- Risk factors include non-compliance with personal hygiene rules. This point is especially relevant when it comes to toenails.
- The habit of biting fingernails or the skin around the nail plate also increases the risk of infection.
- You can catch the virus while visiting public baths, saunas, pools, showers.
- The infection is transmitted by sharing towels, files and scissors for nails, other items.
- Risk factors also include constant contact of the skin of the hands (or feet) with chemically aggressive substances. For example, in some industries, workers constantly work with various skin irritating reagents, which increases the risk of skin damage and, accordingly, infection.
Why are warts dangerous? Possible complications
How dangerous can the periungual wart be? Reviews indicate that in most cases, such growths represent only a small cosmetic defect. However, the likelihood of complications cannot be ignored.
- There is a likelihood of the growth of existing tumors and the appearance of new ones.
- The growth of warts can lead to deformation of the nail plate. In the absence of therapy, the nails become brittle, embossed, begin to exfoliate.
- Periungual warts are often injured. Small wounds and cracks form on the skin, which can turn into a gate for infection. Often the situation is complicated by the development of various bacterial and fungal skin diseases (especially when it comes to warts on the feet of a person).
- As already mentioned, some varieties of the papilloma virus increase the likelihood of skin cancer. That is why you should not refuse the tests recommended by your doctor.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis is rarely difficult. As a rule, a standard external examination is sufficient to confirm the presence of periungual warts. Nevertheless, sometimes the doctor directs the patient to additional studies. For example, sometimes blood tests are performed to help determine the strain of the human papillomavirus. Sometimes a tissue biopsy with further histological examination is necessary - this procedure is prescribed if there is a suspicion of a malignant process.
How to treat periungual warts? Features of drug therapy
It is immediately worth noting that drug therapy is rarely required. In most cases, it is enough to remove the wart, and sometimes the neoplasms completely disappear on their own.
Drug treatment of periungual warts is prescribed only if there is a pronounced decrease in the activity of the immune system. It is advisable to take "Acyclovir" and other antiviral drugs.
Naturally, the treatment should be comprehensive. Antiviral drugs are not only taken orally - the affected areas of the skin are treated with special ointments and gels, which also negatively affect the vital activity of viruses. Effective are such drugs as Panavir and Viferon.
Chemical Removal of Warts
Periungual warts can be removed by exposing the tissues to chemically aggressive substances. There are a large number of drugs that can be purchased at the pharmacy:
- "Ferezol" - a solution that contains metacresol. The drug is carefully applied to the wart. If the neoplasm is small, then one application is enough. Otherwise, after a week the procedure will have to be repeated.
- Superchistotel is also considered effective. The solution contains potassium and sodium alkalis, which cause tissue necrosis. Wart cells die off, after which they begin to peel off. It is very important to prevent the solution from reaching healthy tissue sites.
- Some experts recommend the Solcoderm solution. This medication contains a complex of acids that cause tissue necrosis.
Of course, it is not worth using such drugs on your own - first you need to consult with a specialist.
Surgical removal
You can remove the periungual wart surgically. In this case, the surgeon with a scalpel excises the tissue of a benign neoplasm. If necessary, the removed structures are sent for histological analysis to the laboratory.
It is worth noting that this technique is rarely practiced in modern medicine. The fact is that a scar is often formed on the treated area. In addition, after surgery, the wound heals for a long time. High risk of tissue infection with the development of bacterial and fungal complications.
Cryodestruction: features of the technique
Cryotherapy today is one of the most popular and effective methods for removing periungual warts. The essence of the procedure is simple - pathologically altered tissues are treated with liquid nitrogen. Under the influence of ultra-low temperatures, wart cells are destroyed.
A blister (burn) forms on the skin after the procedure, which disappears on its own after a few days. This is an affordable technique, and its cost is relatively low. Nevertheless, sometimes small scars remain on the treated areas of the skin.
Laser therapy
Laser removal of the periungual wart is by far considered the most effective and safe technique. A concentrated laser beam removes the overgrown wart cells layer by layer. In this case, there is no direct contact with human blood and tissues, and damaged vessels are immediately cauterized, which minimizes the likelihood of skin infection. By the way, during the procedure, you can even remove those warts that are located directly under the nail plate.
As for the minuses, their list may include only the high cost of the procedure. In addition, not every hospital has laser removal equipment.
Are there effective methods of alternative treatment?
Of course, traditional medicine offers a huge number of medicines that can be prepared at home:
- Some folk healers recommend treating the wart with fresh garlic juice.
- Do not forget about celandine - this is a universal way to deal with skin warts. Cut the stalk of a fresh plant and treat it with the juice of the tumor tissue.
- Kalanchoe can also be used to remove warts. A fresh leaf of the plant needs to be crushed, and the resulting slurry applied to the skin growth, fixing everything on top with a band-aid or bandage.
Predictions for Patients
In fact, the forecasts are favorable. According to statistics, in about 90% of cases, treatment is successful. Of course, the probability of the reappearance of periungual warts cannot be ruled out. On the other hand, skin growths disappear on their own without any treatment. Only in 10% of cases, the mechanisms of malignant degeneration are triggered, which requires a visit to an oncologist and special therapy.
Prevention: can warts be prevented?
Of course, it is much easier to try to prevent the appearance of such neoplasms than to then worry about treatment. Prevention in this case is very simple:
- It is important to adhere to proper nutrition, take vitamins, play sports, temper the body, in a word, maintain the normal functioning of the immune system.
- Experts recommend that you follow the rules of personal hygiene, properly care for your nails, skin of hands and feet, use the appropriate soap and cream.
- It is very important to trim the nails properly. If you plan to make a manicure or pedicure, then select only trusted masters and be sure to be interested in information about how they sterilize tools.
- Be sure to wear shoes in size. Give preference to socks made of natural fabrics.
By adhering to these rules, you can significantly reduce the risk of periungual warts.