Removing warts is a necessary measure, since neoplasms can bring discomfort to a person and look unsightly 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 throughout the human body.This is why many doctors recommend removing warts.For this purpose, a specialist selects the most suitable method.
Causes of warts
Warts are growths on the epidermis; their parameters range from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter.The cause of the appearance of warts on the epithelium is papillomavirus, which is infected during contact with a carrier of the virus.
Sometimes a person can independently contribute to the spread of infection on his skin, for example, if he uses the same razor or towel.In medicine, such infection is called autoinoculation.
Condylomas or warts with sharp ends are most often located in the genital area, so they can only be “picked up” during sexual intercourse.
You can become infected with the virus if a person has abrasions or wounds 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 ends.Common neoplasms appear regardless of a person’s age group.According to statistics, about 70% of children become ill with the virus.The location of the growths is the back of the hands and the skin between the fingers.Sometimes warts appear on the face, near the lips and on the palms of the hands.
Round-shaped formations can grow up to 1 centimeter above the level of the epithelium.The color of papules is similar to the color of healthy skin, which is why they are difficult to notice at the early stage of the disease.If the formation has been on the skin for a long time, other small growths will form near it.To get rid of papules, the mother wart should be removed, in this case the small tumors will have nothing to feed on and they too will disappear.
Flat papillomas occur in 4% of people on the planet.They are round and polygonal with a flat, smooth surface.The shade of warts is pale pink, and they practically do not rise above the level of the skin.Localized on the back of the arms, neck, face, and chest area.Sometimes found near the genitals of men and women.
Plantar papules occur on the soles of the feet.They have a rough surface and are somewhat similar to growths fused together.A special feature of these warts is pain during palpation.Plantar papules also cause discomfort when walking.
Condylomas with sharp ends cause pain and discomfort in people.They are located 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 groups and look like cauliflower or rooster comb.Quite often, the growths crack and open the way to various infections.To avoid serious illness, you should consider removing warts.
When should you remove a wart?
Many of the condylomas do not interfere with a person’s life, so no one is in a hurry to see a 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, the alarm should be sounded.
Wart excision methods:
- electrocoagulation;
- radio wave removal;
- removal with liquid nitrogen (cryodestruction);
- laser removal;
- surgical intervention;
- chemotherapy.
Traditional methods and combined monotherapy also help get rid of condylomas.
Doctors treat warts with cytotoxic drugs and immunostimulating medications.
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, which is heated to a very high temperature under the influence of high-frequency current.After the operation, a dry scab (crust) forms at the excision site, which disappears on its own after 10-14 days.
The manipulation is performed under local anesthesia, so the patient does not feel pain or discomfort.The maximum that a patient can feel during surgery is a slight tingling in the area 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 removal
This technique began to be used by doctors relatively recently and has proven itself to be effective and safe.To excise skin lesions using radio waves, a specialist uses special devices.Their peculiarity is that they emit radio waves at a frequency of 3.8 to 4 MHz.
The technology allows you to excise the pathological growth without contacting the epidermis.During the procedure, not only the top layer of skin is removed, but also the root of the condyloma.The patient does not experience pain during the procedure.After surgery, there are no scars or scars left on the epithelium.The removed material can be sent for additional histological studies to find out whether the growth was benign or malignant.
About cryodestruction
Removing warts with liquid nitrogen is especially popular because it is effective and safe.Cryodestruction allows you to excise even plantar papillomas without the risk of bleeding and infection.
If the formation is small, it can be removed in one manipulation, but if it is large and has a deep root, then most likely the patient will need to undergo surgery twice.
After removal with liquid nitrogen, a scab appears in place of the papule, which disappears after 1.5-2 weeks, and a new pink skin remains in its place.The disadvantages of the technology are the formation of small scars on the epithelium; also, due to the inexperience of the doctor, there is a risk of not completely removing the growth.
Laser removal
Excision of papillomas using a laser has a number of advantages: the operation is painless, there are no defects on the skin in the form of scars or hems, no special wound care is required, the scab is detached 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 condyloma is impossible, since the intervention is carried out with sterile equipment.The specialist sends the removed tissue for histological examination.
Surgery and chemotherapy
Surgical assistance is needed if the tumor is large in size.The operation is performed under local anesthesia.The technique is considered traumatic, and it leaves defects on the skin.With surgical excision, there is a high probability of re-entry of the papillomavirus into the blood.
Sometimes methods for removing pointed and flat papules are not as effective as we would like, so in order to get rid of the defect, acid solutions or special medications are used.The duration of chemotherapy is at least six procedures.
The solution is applied pointwise to the growths, then after a certain period of time the medications are washed off.To avoid allergies or burns, therapy is carried out under the close supervision of a doctor.
Removing warts using 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, aggravate the problem.
People recommend rubbing the growth with fresh garlic every day until it falls off.People also take magnesium (powder).You should consume the powder daily in a dosage of 5 grams.
The method using celandine is quite effective.Twice a day it is necessary to lubricate the growth with celandine juice.The procedure is carried out until the papules detach from the skin on their own.
Another popular method is to freeze condyloma.Every day you need to apply artificial ice cubes to 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 should drip 1 drop of acid onto the skin infected with 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 unconventional methods, as they are not a guarantee that a person will get rid of the problem.
If home treatments do not help remove the tumor on your own, you should seek qualified medical help from a dermatologist or surgeon.