Doctors classify warts as benign neoplasms.However, they look unaesthetic, so many people want to get rid of them.Choosing 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 predominantly benign in nature.Outwardly it resembles a tuber with a rough surface.Initially, the neoplasm is flesh-colored, but over time it can change: become brown or even black.
The wart can be single or in the form of clusters.In the latter case, rather large formations are formed, spherical or, less often, conical, with a wide base.
The size of warts varies, with an average of several millimeters.Warts appear on various parts of the body, most often on the hands.
Causes of warts
They arise due to a severe proliferation of the superficial layer of the skin.This is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).Infection occurs through direct contact with a carrier of the virus or through common objects, such as a razor.
For HPV to enter the body, the so-called gateway is required: a scratch or wound on the skin.Once penetrated into the epithelial cells, the virus advances towards the nucleus.It is there where its development and subsequent reproduction occurs.If the immune system functions normally, infected cells are destroyed.HPV can “sleep” in the body for many years without manifesting itself.And only with weakened immunity does it begin to affect many epidermal cells, which leads to the appearance of warts.
types of warts
Depending on the type of HPV, there are several types of warts.
- Common.They have the appearance of a nodule up to 1 cm in size with a dense, wrinkled, flesh-colored surface, which over time can turn grayish brown.They are usually located on the backs of the hands, palms and feet.It is most frequently found in school-aged children.
- Plant (pine).These are dense, keratinized areas of irregular shape, but with clear boundaries.Outwardly they resemble a thorn or a callus, only they are characterized by pain.The size reaches 2 cm.They are located most frequently on the feet and less frequently on the palms.
- Pointed (condyloma).They look like a soft flesh-colored or pinkish nodule, reminiscent of a rooster's comb or cauliflower inflorescences.They are usually located on the genitals and around the anus, less frequently on the tongue.
- Plane (youth).They look like nodules, are slightly raised above the skin, have a smooth flesh-colored, brown or pale yellow surface.They are mainly located on the face, neck and back of the hands.
- Filiform (acrochords).These are elastic neoplasms of an oblong shape, up to 6 mm long.They are flesh colored or dark brown.Favorite locations are the eyelids, chin, armpits, groin and under the mammary glands.
There is another type of wart that appears in older people: age-related keratomas.They are not caused by HPV, but by hormonal changes.These formations can degenerate into malignant tumors, which is why they also require removal.
Of all the types, common and plantar warts are the most common.
How to remove warts
Any type of wart does not pose any danger to the body, but it can spoil the appearance or cause discomfort.So, plantar warts can hurt when you walk.When the skin is damaged, neoplasms grow easily.This happens if they are located in places that are often injured, for example when shaving.In such cases, it is best to resort to wart removal.
There are different ways to get rid of warts.Most often they are removed by the following methods:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser therapy.
All procedures are painless as they are performed under local anesthesia.
The removal method is chosen by a specialist depending on the type of wart and its location.
cryodestruction
This is one of the simple and common ways to remove warts of all types.The neoplasm is briefly exposed to cold - liquid nitrogen, the temperature of which is -196 degrees.As a result, there is a pronounced spasm of the capillaries of the wart tissue, the formation of ice crystals inside the cells, the cessation of blood circulation and the cessation of metabolic processes.All this causes the destruction of the neoplasm.
The mechanism of the procedure is simple.The doctor dips a cotton swab into liquid nitrogen and then applies it to the wart for 15 to 30 seconds.The application time and the number of procedures depend on the size of the wart.Sometimes, one cryotherapy session is enough for the tumor to disappear.
Among the obvious advantages of the procedure are:
- lack of special training;
- minimal risk of scarring;
- no bleeding or threat of infection;
- anesthesia is not required;
- affordable price.
Electrocoagulation
This removal method involves the use of high frequency current.It leads to an increase in temperature in the tissues 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 involves the use of a special device - a coagulator, which, using an electrode heated to 80 degrees, cauterizes the tumor.After removal, a dark scab appears at the site of the wart, which dies after a while and the wound is covered with healthy skin.
The procedure is usually performed on the day of the consultation with a specialist, since it does not require special preparation.Medium-sized tumors can be immediately removed in a single session.However, the method is not suitable for removing plantar warts.In this case, there is a high risk of scar formation, which can subsequently cause discomfort when walking.
laser therapy
The use of a laser to remove warts is based on the thermal effect of a light beam, which literally evaporates the tumor.The procedure is quite effective, but may leave scars.
Various types of lasers are used to remove warts.Some of the most common are pulse, erbium and carbon dioxide (CO2).The latter usually leaves scars, unlike the first two.
Before starting the procedure, the specialist performs 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 proper calculation of the depth of penetration of the laser beam and the time of exposure to the wart.Damage to healthy skin is excluded.
Any method of removing warts allows you to get rid of only the external manifestations of HPV infection.The virus itself continues to live in the body, so the probability of relapse is 30%.
Remove warts at home.
To reduce the risk of scarring at the site of warts, it is recommended to start treatment with the use of simple remedies that you can use yourself at home.If they are ineffective, one must resort to destructive methods of influence.
To remove warts yourself, use special preparations that can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Medicines 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 using pharmaceutical products does not occur immediately, but after 2-4 weeks.
The medications are applied directly to the wart area, in a targeted manner, avoiding healthy areas of the skin.For added comfort, you can use a cotton swab.It is recommended to perform 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 in size and appeared not long ago.
Traditional methods to remove warts.
Traditional methods are effective only if there are few and small warts.To remove warts, the following are usually used:
- acetic acid;
- celandine juice;
- raw potatoes;
- garlic.
These products are applied to the wart until it disappears completely.Having chosen the traditional method, it is important to be patient.The first results are usually visible after 3-4 weeks.