The subungual wart is a very rare pathology. However, some injuries, uncomfortable shoes can cause a build-up. Warts are of viral origin and appear against the background of the growth of epidermal cells. Such lesions are not prone to degeneration into cancerous tumors, as a rule, are not accompanied by pain and carry only aesthetic discomfort.
Growths of viral origin can be under the nails for years, and very rarely disappear on their own. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor with this problem so that the nail does not exfoliate and there is no risk of re-infection.
Provocative factors
There are a number of reasons that can lead to the appearance of a growth under the nail:
- Household, that is, in contact with a person carrying a papillomavirus, with objects that a sick person has come into contact with.
- Constantly under stress.
- Chronic diseases that often worsen.
- Injuries near the nail, even microscopic.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Weakened immunity.
This problem is often faced by young girls. In this case, the cause of the subungual warts is the tight, narrow heeled shoes. In men, growths most often appear due to the large weight and precisely on the legs, since there is increased pressure on the foot.
Reasons for appearing on the hands
In addition to common reasons, it is possible to identify factors that lead to the appearance of warts under the fingernails:
- barbs;
- the habit of biting your nails;
- cuts, injuries to the skin and damage to the nail itself.
A common cause is also injuries with manicure tools, which the master can cut or if he uses non-sterile tools. Growths may appear after exposure to household chemicals.
Causes on the legs
As mentioned earlier, the main reason for the formation of growths under the toenails is tight and uncomfortable shoes. However, infection can occur in the pool, sauna or bath. You can’t wear someone else’s shoes and walk barefoot in public, especially where there is a lot of humidity. All these are those factors that can lead to the fact that the virus "wakes up."
Rarely, but still the cause of the appearance of warts can be an ingrown nail or excessive sweating of the feet.
How to understand that the growth process has begun
As a rule, warts have a rounded shape and rise quite high above the skin. At the beginning, a build-up occurs - it has a smooth surface, then the upper layer becomes rough and horny.
The peculiarity of the subungual warts is that with their appearance, the nail begins to thin, deform and gradually collapses. If the growth under the toenail, then it can cause inconvenience when wearing shoes and even lead to lameness. The more the growth grows, the more pain becomes.
A prong nail wart may also appear, which may have a root. If this root begins to grow in the direction of the nail, then the destruction and deformation of the plate will also begin.
The subungual warts themselves often also have roots that penetrate deeply under the plate, so the removal of such growths and the rehabilitation process presents certain difficulties.
If you look at the growth well, it may seem that there are hairs on it. In fact, these are thrombosed capillaries. If the warts under the nail are constantly squeezed due to seams on toes or tight shoes, then they usually have a darker color. In such cases, there is a high risk of infection, so you should not delay with a trip to the doctor.
Possible consequences if untreated
It may seem that in addition to a cosmetic defect and thinning of the nail plate, growths do not bring any problems. However, it should be remembered that the papillomavirus is very insidious, and if the problem is not resolved, it will affect the phalanges of the fingers, and spread further through the body.
Diagnostics
The subungual wart can be easily confused with other diseases of the skin and nails, for example, with corns. Therefore, you should not make a diagnosis on your own, but rather seek professional help. Although an experienced doctor can determine the disease even when examined.
The subungual growths are also easily confused with fungal diseases. Therefore, in some cases, in addition to examination, it is required to make fungi culture in order to clarify the diagnosis. A biopsy or dermatoscopy may also be prescribed.
To date, the treatment of subungual warts is carried out conservatively or surgically.
Conservative treatment
This technique involves the use of local drugs and oral administration of immunostimulating and antiviral drugs.
Since warts occur against the background of viruses, the use of drugs that inhibit them is justified.
To date, the pharmaceutical industry offers a wide range of drugs that can overcome papillomavirus: Cycloferon, Isoprinosine, and others.
In parallel with these drugs, immunostimulants are usually prescribed, since the virus is activated only if the immune system is weakened. However, without consulting a doctor, such drugs are not recommended to be used alone.
If the subungual wart appeared recently, does not have deep roots and large sizes, then you can get rid of it with the help of external means.
It can be keratolytic drugs, for example, “Collomac” or salicylic ointment. Acid-based ointments and gels with a necrotic effect are also used: Verrucacid and Solcoderm, or refrigerants - Cryopharma.
In therapy, for example, “Resorcinol”, which is assigned to the group of antiseptics, with the active substance meta-dioxibenzene, can be used. However, this drug cannot be used with salicylic acid, sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide. Not recommended "Resorcinol" for use in adolescence, with hormonal growth.
One of the effective external remedies for warts is Ferezol. This liquid contains phenol and tricresol. It can only be used in a hospital setting. When applied, treatment of healthy skin layers is not allowed. If the growth has a leg, then only it is lubricated. Keratinized warts are pre-steamed in a water bath. The maximum number of procedures for these drugs is 5 times.
It is also necessary to understand if the roots are too deep and large growths will have to be removed surgically.
"Verrucacid" - instructions for use
One of the most effective drugs in the fight against viral growths is considered to be Verrucacid. It consists of several components: water, alcohol and two active substances: meta-cresol and phenol.
It is an oily liquid that copes well with warts, condylomas and calluses. However, the drug can not be used for children under the age of 7 years and apply liquid to too large parts of the skin, not more than 20 square centimeters. During pregnancy, the question of treatment with a medicine is resolved on the basis of the real benefits to the mother, that is, if she exceeds the potential risk to the fetus. During lactation, the drug is not recommended for use on the hands and chest.
The medicine on damaged areas should be applied very carefully so that it does not fall into healthy areas. A special applicator can be used for this.
Small growths up to 2 mm are treated once, larger ones - 7-10 times, with a time interval of up to 4 minutes. If the procedure did not help, then it can be repeated after 6-8 days.
As the instructions for the use of "Verrucacide" say, after treatment, the affected area must not be washed or treated with ointments or other means. Also, the damaged area should not come in contact with synthetic fabrics. Do not apply liquid to sweating areas, inguinal area and mucous membranes.
Surgery
However, local drugs do not always help, in extreme cases, you will have to resort to radical methods of treatment, namely surgical intervention. If we are talking about excision with a scalpel, then such an operation can only be performed by a surgeon. After the operation, a long rehabilitation period follows. There is also a huge risk of scarring, so surgery is rarely recommended.
After the operation, a scar will remain, and the wound itself will heal for a sufficiently long time. But under any circumstances, the scar will be less noticeable than the wart itself.
Other treatments
Removal of the subungual warts can be done by a dermatologist. There are a number of techniques that are performed on an outpatient basis:
- Cryotherapy. This technique involves the use of liquid nitrogen, which cauterize the affected area. In 70% of cases, this procedure allows you to fully achieve a positive effect and prevent the return of the disease. However, this technique is contraindicated in pregnancy, it is not carried out if there is diabetes, and is not recommended for small children. In some cases, several procedures are required.
- Laser Therapy How to get rid of a wart under a fingernail? This technique is considered the most effective, since the likelihood of a relapse is reduced to almost zero. The laser in this case removes the growth in layers. After the procedure, the skin is quickly leveled and there is no risk of scarring.
- Electrocoagulation The essence of the technique is that the growth is cut off using a loop through which a weak current is passed. There is no bleeding during the procedure, therefore, there is no risk of infection either.
- Chemical technique. Such a procedure is rarely resorted to, since it requires a highly qualified doctor. The technique involves burning the wart with acid or alkali.
The methods of care during the rehabilitation period are almost the same, you should not peel the formed crust and regularly treat the wound with antibacterial agents.
How to remove a subungual wart? No matter which method was chosen, it should be understood that without the comprehensive treatment of papillomavirus, the risk of new growths is 100%. Therefore, in parallel with getting rid of the wart, a medical course of treatment should be taken.
Treatment by folk methods
Traditional medicine can help in the fight against subungual warts, but only if the growths are small, there is no inflammatory process.
You can use aloe juice, which is sold in pharmacies. Only apply this remedy carefully so as not to harm healthy areas.
You can also use flour with vinegar. The ingredients are mixed until a slurry is obtained. Healthy skin areas are recommended to be protected from this mixture with a band-aid.
You can apply marigold flowers (only freshly picked). The procedure is carried out at night, the flower is applied to the damaged area, fixed with a band-aid. Manipulations should be carried out until complete recovery.
You can use castor oil, which should be used to lubricate the wart 2 or 3 times a day. You can use apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for cauterization.
Along with local therapy, it is necessary to strengthen the body. For this, you can use echinacea. You will need to dilute one tablespoon of grass in a glass of water, insist for about 20 minutes and drink 2 glasses a day, morning and evening.
A good general strengthening remedy is the collection of several herbs:
- St. John's wort
- plantain;
- dill (seeds);
- clover (flowers).
Mix all the ingredients in equal parts. Pour one teaspoon of the mixture with a glass of hot water, drink three times a day, dividing the resulting 200-250 grams into three doses.
Folk remedies can only help in the initial stage, the great effectiveness of traditional medicine is proven when it is combined with traditional therapy.
How to prevent the formation of subungual warts
To prevent the appearance of growths of viral origin, you should always use only your own towel and personal hygiene products. In no case should you wear someone else's gloves and wear someone else's shoes.
Not in the last place is the care of the skin of the hands and feet, especially around the nails. Even through a damaged cuticle, a virus can invade.
You should also change socks more often, this rule is especially true for men. When visiting public places, showers, baths, pools, you should always wear exclusively your own shoes.
If you like to do manicures and pedicures, then you should go only to those masters who follow all the rules of hygiene, process tools.
In no case do not bite your nails and do not bite off the barbs. If the skin around the nail is damaged, then this place should be treated with an antiseptic.
Persons whose warts often appear should definitely consult a doctor, undergo all necessary examinations, and check the immunogram.
Subungual warts are a fairly rare occurrence, yet medicine offers a huge list of procedures and drugs that will help get rid of growths.