Warts are one of the most common skin problems. Such neoplasms cause considerable discomfort and can cause the development of dangerous diseases. Where do warts come from? How to deal with them? What are the pharmacological and folk remedies for warts? I would like to consider the answers to these and other questions in our publication.
What are warts?
Warts are formations on the skin that have a dense structure and grow to sizes from 1-2 mm to several centimeters. They can form in various parts of the body, depending on the species. In some cases, there is a merger of warts. Thus, they grow into tumors of quite impressive dimensions.
Initially, warts have a skin tone. Over time, such outgrowths become brown, and sometimes even black. The color change of the warts, as a rule, is due to their contamination and loosening of the structure, which becomes pronounced rough character.
Causes of occurrence
What causes warts on arms, legs, other parts of the body? The cause of such neoplasms is the penetration into the human body of the causative agent of the papilloma virus. The latter can be transmitted by contact from other people, as well as animals. Progressive reproduction of the virus is observed in the upper layers of the epidermis.
Another prerequisite for the formation of warts is the person’s tendency to comb the skin. Often this leads to the habit of nail biting, frequent shaving, removal of unwanted vegetation on the body, peeling, and other cosmetic procedures. In the course of such actions, microscopic lesions occur on the skin through which the virus pathogen enters the body.
Sometimes infection occurs in public places. First of all, we are talking about baths and saunas, swimming pools, gyms. The appearance of warts also often affects people whose labor activity is connected with the cutting of carcasses of animals and fish.
Researchers have not fully figured out why warts appear on the hands, other areas of the body. According to statistics, such neoplasms are most characteristic of adolescents. As practice shows, the group at increased risk of infection with the papilloma virus includes, above all, children aged 12 to 16 years.
Types of Warts
Dermatologists distinguish the following varieties of warts:
- Vulgar - widespread among young people. They are simple skin papules, the maximum sizes of which reach the size of a pea. Such warts are characterized by an uneven, keratinized surface of a flesh, grayish or brown hue. Most often occur on the hands, nearby lips, on the face, mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
- Flat - observed in children. They have a smooth surface and skin tone. As a rule, they have a regular rounded shape. In rare cases, they can be polygonal. A characteristic feature of flat warts is the presence of numerous rashes on the feet, hands of the upper limbs, face, mucous membranes.
- Palmar-plantar - usually occur in adults. They have the appearance of small neoplasms with a dense structure and torn keratinized layers of the epidermis. Dermatologists are often identified as ordinary corns, which creates difficulties for making an adequate diagnosis.
- Filiform - soft papules of a brownish or flesh tint. They concentrate mainly on the skin of the eyelids, neck, armpits, in the inguinal region. Distribution occurs through contact between separate parts of the body.
How to distinguish a papilloma from a wart?
Papillomas are neoplasms on the skin of a benign nature. As a rule, they have a rounded shape and a pronounced base, which is called the leg. Papillomas have a skin tone. Unlike warts, they do not have clearly defined boundaries. The surface of the papillomas has a rough, somewhat torn structure. They can be visually compared with a miniature head of cauliflower.
Papillomas are distinguished from warts not only according to visual signs. An important point for determining the nature of the tumor on the skin is its location. Most often, warts occur on the upper and lower extremities. In turn, papillomas "prefer" to occupy secluded areas on the body. They appear under the breast, in the armpits, in the skin folds of the neck, near the genitals.
Pharmacological treatment of warts
How to get rid of warts? The use of a wide range of pharmaceutical preparations allows eliminating unpleasant neoplasms on the skin. Among the most effective medications that are available in the form of injections, tablets, ointments from warts and gels, the following should be noted:
- "Genferon."
- "Isoprinosine."
- "Panavir".
- Cycloferon.
- "Wyveron."
The possibility of using the above drugs in order to get rid of warts should be agreed in advance with the doctor. When determining the most effective means, a dermatologist must take into account the nature of the problem, the location and size of the outgrowths on the skin. It is worth noting that the listed gels, tablets, injections and ointments from warts do not destroy the tumor itself, but only contribute to maintaining the body's resistance to the spread of viral infection.
However, there are many pharmacological agents that really destroy the structure of warts. So, for independent use at home, drugs are suitable:
- Ferezol.
- "Verrucacid."
- "Cryopharma".
- Super Celandine.
- Wartner Cryo.
Wart medicines such as Cryopharma and Wartner Cryo contain active substances that have a freezing effect on the skin. The effect of their use can be compared with liquid nitrogen. Low temperatures interfere with the blood supply to tissues in the area where the wart appears. Thus, a gradual destruction of the neoplasm structure occurs.
As for the preparations Ferezol, Verrukatsid and Super Celandine, the latter destroy warts thanks to aggressive chemicals. The use of such medications is recommended with caution. After overdoing it, you can not only burn out under the root of the wart, but also get quite painful injuries.
Salipod wart patch
"Salipod" is an excellent tool for combating tumors on the skin. The patch is suitable not only for the elimination of warts, but also all kinds of corns, corns, etc. Such a wide spectrum of action is achieved due to the presence in the composition of substances with a disinfecting, analgesic and softening effect.
The action of the patch “Salipod” is similar to an antiseptic. The tool slows down the keratinization of the skin and at the same time resists the development of infection. This effect is achieved due to the presence of salicylic acid, as well as sulfur. These chemicals are able to penetrate into the deep structures of the epidermis, affecting the cause of the formation of warts.
Regular use of the Salipod patch promotes active peeling of keratinized skin. At the same time, the active substances in the composition of the agent lead to the death of pathogenic microorganisms.
Cryogenic destruction
How to get rid of warts once and for all? One of the most effective solutions is the treatment of affected skin with liquid nitrogen. The substance is applied to the neoplasm in the treatment room using a swab or using a special applicator. Cryogenic treatment of a wart takes several seconds. This is enough to ensure that the outgrowth acquires a dense structure and transforms into a white hue that dies on its own within a week. In place of the wart, there remains only a small, barely noticeable speck. To remove old, large tumors this way requires a longer, more intensive course.
Electrocoagulation
How to get rid of a wart on the leg? An effective method here is the effect on the outgrowth by a directed charge of an electric current. The neoplasm is cut off with a special metal loop. In parallel, there is an effect on the affected area by high-frequency current, which makes it possible not only to disinfect the tissue, but also to eliminate the occurrence of bleeding. In this case, the doctor receives a sample of material, which can subsequently be examined in order to exclude the likelihood of developing cancer.
Surgical removal of warts
Doctors resort to the procedure in cases where they are not able to understand how to get rid of warts, which have acquired impressive dimensions and began to grow together into a single network. In this case, local anesthesia is used. All neoplasms are carefully removed with a scalpel. The received material is sent to laboratory tests without fail. Formed skin wounds stitch. Over time, the threads are removed, and barely noticeable flat scars remain at the site of damage.
Laser coagulation
Laser coagulation is another effective method that makes it possible to quickly and practically painlessly get rid of warts. How is the procedure performed? The growth on the skin is removed in layers using a special laser device. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. All that remains of the wart is a slight indentation on the surface of the skin. The latter is completely smoothed out with adjacent sections of the epidermis for several weeks.
Celandine
It has long been known that perfectly helps celandine from warts, or rather - caustic, chemically aggressive plant juice. The procedure does not involve anything complicated. It is enough to pre-wash the skin and treat the wart with an antiseptic. Then it is necessary to disrupt the shoot of celandine and apply the juice of the plant to the desired area. The oiled area will soon turn a dark brown shade. After a while, a slight burning sensation will begin to be felt.
Apply celandine from warts to the skin is recommended not too often. The procedure should be performed no more than 2 times a day. Otherwise, you can not only burn out the growth, but also destroy completely healthy tissues, which will cause considerable discomfort.
Iodine
Ordinary iodine, in addition to the disinfecting effect, is a good remedy for warts. Before applying the substance to the outgrowth, it is recommended to steam the skin first. You can get rid of a wart in this way by daily processing the problem area. After applying iodine, you should stick a patch here. This will soften the structure of the wart and create the basis for better penetration of the agent into the deeper layers of the epidermis.
Apple vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a rather effective folk remedy for warts. In contact with skin, the substance has an aggressive effect on the neoplasm. However, vinegar can also damage healthy neighboring areas of the epidermis. Therefore, before resorting to the method, it is recommended to protect the skin around the wart, covering it with a thick layer of petroleum jelly or oily cream.
How to get rid of a wart in this way? It is only necessary to apply one drop of high concentration of apple cider vinegar daily to the growth. It is best to resort to the procedure shortly before going to bed. If you repeat the operation regularly, the wart will begin to dry out after a week, and then completely disappear.
Garlic
How to get rid of warts at home? A good option is the use of garlic paste. The tool is prepared as follows. A large clove of garlic is rubbed into the gruel. A few drops of lemon juice are added to the resulting mass. All this combines with a small amount of flour until a batter is formed.
To understand how to get rid of a wart on a leg or arm in this way, just stick a patch on the outgrowth with an opening neatly cut in the middle. Here you need to attach a pre-prepared garlic dough. A larger patch will remain on top.
It is recommended to keep the product on the skin as long as possible. Desirable - a few days. If the patch comes off, it is worth repeating the above procedure. Once the structure of the warts is completely destroyed, it remains to heal the damaged skin using Vishnevsky ointment.
Sagebrush
Still how to get rid of warts at home? As practice shows, a good solution is to use a wormwood-based compress. To prepare the product, it is enough to brew several tablespoons of dry grass in a glass of boiling water. Insist on wormwood for 2.5 hours. Then the medicine must be filtered. The resulting fluid should be applied as a compress to the site of the formation of warts. It is recommended to repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day. Thanks to the regular use of such a remedy for warts, the structure of outgrowths will begin to collapse within the first week.