Doctors classify warts as benign neoplasms.However, they have an unaesthetic appearance, which is why many people want to get rid of them.The choice of the optimal removal method depends on the type of wart.
What is a wart and what does it look like?
A wart is a new growth on the skin that is mostly harmless in nature.Externally, it resembles a tubercle with a rough surface.Initially, the neoplasm is flesh-colored, but over time it can change: become brown or even black.
The wart can appear singly or in groups.In the latter case, fairly large formations are formed with a spherical or, less often, conical shape and a wide base.
The size of the warts varies and is on average several millimeters.Warts appear on various parts of the body, most commonly on the hands.
Causes of warts
They arise from excessive growth in the superficial layer of skin.This is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).Infection occurs through direct contact with a virus carrier or through common objects, such as a razor.
In order for HPV to enter the body, it needs a so-called portal of entry - a scratch or wound on the skin.After the virus penetrates the epithelial cells, it moves towards the cell nucleus.It is in it that its development and subsequent reproduction takes place.When the immune system is functioning normally, infected cells are destroyed.HPV can “sleep” in the body for many years without manifesting itself.And only when immunity is weakened, it begins to affect many epidermal cells, which leads to the appearance of warts.
Types of warts
Depending on the type of HPV, there are different types of warts.
- Normal.They have the appearance of a nodule up to 1 cm in size with a wrinkled, dense surface of flesh-colored color, which over time can turn into a gray-brown color.They are usually found on the backs of the hands, palms, and feet.Most common in school-age children.
- Plantar (Pinus).These are dense and keratinized areas of irregular shape but with clear boundaries.Externally they resemble a thorn or a callus, only they are characterized by pain.The size reaches 2 cm.They are most often localized on the feet, less often on the palms.
- Spitz (condyloma).They look like a soft, flesh-colored or pink nodule reminiscent of a cockscomb or cauliflower inflorescences.They are usually found on the genitals and around the anus, less often on the tongue.
- Flat (youthful).They look like nodules, are slightly raised above the skin and have a smooth surface of flesh-colored, brown or light yellow color.They are mainly found on the face, neck and the backs of the hands.
- Filiform (acrochords).These are elastic neoplasms of elongated shape up to 6 mm long.They are flesh-colored or dark brown.Preferred locations are eyelids, chin, armpits, groin and under the mammary glands.
There is another type of wart that occurs in older people - age-related keratomas.They are not caused by HPV, but by hormonal changes.Such formations can degenerate into malignant tumors and therefore also need to be removed.
Of all the types, common warts and plantar warts are the most common.
How to remove warts
Any type of wart does not pose a danger to the body, but it can affect the appearance or cause discomfort.Plantar warts can hurt when walking.When the skin is damaged, neoplasms easily grow.This happens when they are in areas that are frequently injured, such as when shaving.In such cases, it is best to resort to wart removal.
There are various ways to get rid of warts.They are most often removed using the following methods:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- Laser therapy.
All procedures are painless because they are performed under local anesthesia.
The removal method is selected by a specialist depending on the type of wart and its location.
Cryodestruction
This is one of the simple and common methods for removing all types of warts. The neoplasm is briefly exposed to cold liquid nitrogen, the temperature of which is -196 degrees.This leads to a pronounced spasm of the capillaries of the wart tissue, the formation of ice crystals inside the cells, a stop in blood circulation and a halt in metabolic processes.All this leads to the destruction of the neoplasm.
The mechanism of the procedure is simple.The doctor dips a cotton swab in liquid nitrogen and then applies it to the wart for 15-30 seconds.The duration of use and the number of procedures depend on the size of the wart.Sometimes one cryotherapy session is enough for the tumor to disappear.
The obvious advantages of the procedure include:
- lack of special training;
- minimal risk of scarring;
- no bleeding or risk of infection;
- no anesthesia required;
- affordable price.
Electrocoagulation
This removal method uses high frequency current.This leads to an increase in temperature in the tissue and the subsequent destruction of the tumor.Before starting the session, the specialist treats the skin around the wart with an antiseptic and administers anesthesia.The procedure uses a special device - a coagulator, which cauterizes the tumor with an electrode heated to 80 degrees.After removal, a dark crust forms on the site of the wart, which dies after a while and the wound is covered with healthy skin.
The procedure is usually carried out on the day of contacting a specialist, as no special preparation is required.Medium-sized tumors can be removed immediately in one session.However, the method is not suitable for removing plantar warts.In this case, there is a high risk of scarring, which can subsequently lead to discomfort when walking.
Laser therapy
The use of a laser to remove warts is based on the thermal effect of a light beam that literally vaporizes the tumor.The procedure is very effective, but can leave scars.
Different types of lasers are used to remove warts.The most common include pulse, erbium and carbon dioxide (CO2).The latter, in contrast to the first two, often leaves scars.
Before starting the procedure, the specialist will carry out a visual examination of the tumor.In some cases it is possible to send skin samples for histological examination.
The effectiveness of laser therapy depends on the correct calculation of the depth of penetration of the laser beam and the time of exposure to the wart.Damage to healthy skin is impossible.
Any method of wart removal allows you to eliminate only the external manifestations of HPV infection.The virus itself continues to live in the body, so the chance of a relapse is 30%.
Remove warts at home
To reduce the risk of scarring at the site of the wart, it is recommended to start treatment with simple remedies that you can use yourself at home.If they are ineffective, destructive methods of influence should be resorted to.
To remove warts yourself, use special preparations available at the pharmacy.
The drugs are available in different forms: cream, solution, stick (pencil).Each product has its own instructions for use.However, the mechanism of action of these drugs is identical.It is based on the cauterization and subsequent mummification of the wart.The effect of taking medication does not appear immediately, but only after 2-4 weeks.
The medication is applied directly to the wart area, avoiding healthy areas of skin.For convenience, you can use a cotton swab.It is recommended to carry out the procedure before going to bed and cover the wart with a plaster.
It is advisable to use pharmaceutical preparations if the wart is small and appeared not long ago.
Traditional methods of removing warts
Conventional methods are only effective if the warts are few and small.To remove warts they usually use:
- Acetic acid;
- celandine juice;
- raw potatoes;
- Garlic.
These products are applied to the wart until it disappears completely.After choosing the traditional method, it is important to be patient.The first results are usually visible after 3-4 weeks.