Warts are skin diseases that are infectious in nature.The causative agent is the human papillomavirus.They are small benign tumor-like skin formations that look like a papilla or nodule.As a rule, they are not inflammatory in nature.
You can become infected with the papillomavirus through contact with a sick person, including sexual contact, through household items, bedding, towels, toys, dishes, and skin lesions.The incubation period lasts from 2 weeks to 2-3 months.
If the warts are small and do not cause discomfort, they can be left alone.If they are exposed to mechanical friction against clothing, cause pain when touched, or cause physical and psychological discomfort, doctors recommend getting rid of them.
Wart removal methods
Today, modern medicine offers several effective medical procedures to remove warts.These are the following methods:
- laser burning;
- cryodestruction;
- surgical excision;
- electrocoagulation.
Let's take a closer look at each method of removing skin lesions.
Laser
Currently, the laser is considered one of the most effective methods for removing skin tags.The method is painless, very effective and has a minimum of consequences and complications in the form of scars, scars and hyperpigmentation of the skin.
The main effect of the device is evaporation (erbium laser) or coagulation of skin cells (carbon dioxide laser).The principle of operation of the laser is the photomechanical destruction of wart tissue and the sequential removal of its layers using a device.Light energy is converted into thermal energy, which contributes to the destruction of skin formations.
Indications for use
Any type of wart can be removed with a laser:
- plant;
- ordinary growths on the body;
- department.
Laser wart burning is done layer by layer under local anesthesia.The procedure lasts several minutes.Laser penetration depth and exposure time depend on the depth and location of the buildup.A small depression remains at the place of growth;After a few weeks it levels out.
After removing growths with a laser beam, no special skin care is required.The resulting dimple levels out on its own after 2 to 5 weeks.If the growths were on the feet, then the feet should be protected from excessive stress for 2 weeks.
Contraindications
Despite its advantages, the laser still has several contraindications.It cannot be used in the following cases:
- high temperature;
- colds (ARVI, acute respiratory infections, influenza, sore throat);
- hypertension;
- the presence of herpes infection in the acute stage.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers can use the laser with extreme caution and only after consulting a doctor.
cryodestruction
This method involves the use of liquid nitrogen.The skin tag is exposed to low nitrogen temperatures.As a result of deep freezing, tissue death occurs.That is, the cells of the changed skin cool greatly under the influence of nitrogen, as a result of which the water inside them freezes.When water freezes, it expands, causing the cell to rupture and die.Education simply stops “living”, collapses and dies.
Indications for use:
- the wart changes shape or color;
- the formation is constantly injured, hurts, itches, stings, bleeds;
- growth of formations throughout the body;
- has the appearance of a cosmetic defect;
- located on the lips;
- at the patient's request.
The procedure is carried out in several ways: with hardware (cryoprobe) or manually (special applicator, 25-30 cm long).The manual method is used more frequently than the hardware method.
Anesthesia is performed with novocaine or lidocaine.An applicator with a rolled cotton ball is immersed in a container with nitrogen and touched to the affected area with light pressure.Handling time is 10 to 30 seconds, which depends on the size of the wart.After the first manipulation, there is a pause of 1-2 minutes to see how the nitrogen affected the tissue.When frozen with nitrogen, the growth begins to pale, then becomes white and denser in structure.The procedure can be repeated 3 to 5 times with an interval of 3 to 5 days.
The next day a bubble appears in this place.This is a normal phenomenon and should not be alarmed.It can be reddish or whitish.If the bubble is small and does not bother you, there is no need to open it.It will open on its own after 5 to 6 days.New young skin forms underneath.If the bubble is large and begins to hurt due to the pressure of the liquid in it, then it can be carefully opened.It is best to have this done by a doctor to avoid infections.If you do not want to go to the doctor, you should open it with a sterile needle, preheated over a fire.After the puncture, the wound is treated with an antiseptic.A gauze bandage is placed on top and wrapped with a bandage.For pain, you can take pain relievers.
A week after the procedure, the surface of the skin darkens, begins to peel off, and the growths disappear.During treatment and peeling, the skin should be cleaned with a 2% salicylic alcohol solution.
Contraindications
This method has no contraindications.Nitrogen can be used by children and pregnant women.Complications may arise if the procedure is performed incorrectly or the rules for caring for the wound after manipulation are violated.
surgical excision
Surgical removal of warts is carried out if the growths are large, too deep and flat and occupy large areas of the body.The operation is performed under local anesthesia using a surgical scalpel.The skin formation is removed and intradermal cosmetic sutures are applied.They are removed after a week.After such an operation, a small, light, thin, flat scar 2-3 mm long remains.An absorbable silicone patch is applied for rapid healing.
After the operation, it is prohibited to visit solariums and baths, or tear off the resulting scab.During the first week, do not wet the wound, just treat it with antiseptics and maintain hygiene.
Contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation period;
- exacerbation of herpes;
- Inflammatory and infectious processes in the body.
Electrocoagulation
The method involves the use of an electrocoagulator.Electric shock can remove any type of wart, except plantar warts, because they have a thicker structure.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.A high frequency current is supplied to the metal loop.It cuts off the growth and coagulates the surrounding tissue.The surrounding tissues are warmed, which prevents bleeding and further spread of the virus to healthy areas.
After exposure to current, a scab forms;It goes away on its own after 7 to 10 days.The wound should be treated with an antiseptic and not soaked with water.A light, flat scar may be left behind.
Contraindications:
- low blood coagulation;
- intolerance to electrical procedures;
- exacerbation of herpes;
- oncological diseases;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Many people are interested in the question: what is better to remove warts, laser or nitrogen?Compared to other growth removal methods, the laser has many advantages, including the following:
- speed of the procedure (2-3 minutes);
- absence of scars and scars;
- painless;
- exclusion of infection during manipulations;
- no risk of damage to healthy areas;
- the probability of relapse is minimized;
- There are almost no contraindications.
As for nitrogen, it can be used by children and pregnant women, it has no contraindications, it is affordable, and the procedure is performed quickly.But if the technique is violated, scars may remain.The wound must be carefully cared for.There may be relapses.
Removing warts with nitrogen today is also considered an effective treatment method, but still the laser acts more precisely, painlessly and does not leave marks, which is very important.
It is advisable to combine the described methods for removing warts with general treatment against relapses.
The likelihood of warts re-forming depends on the quality and timeliness of the procedures, as well as the state of the immune system.Well, to know which removal methods are right for you, it is best to consult a doctor.