How to get rid of warts?

The skin can be affected by various rashes, inflammations, moles, formations and much more. And how to get rid of warts is also a common question. Struggling with this problem, you need to know why it has arisen, what are its varieties, methods of elimination and preventive measures.

What are warts

These are formations on the skin in the form of knobby growths. Outwardly, they resemble moles, but the latter are soft to the touch, smooth, and their color is slightly darker than skin color. Warts are hard, because their upper layer is a stratum corneum, so they are unpleasant to the touch, and their color is similar to that of skin. These growths cause considerable discomfort, so it is not surprising that the question of how to get rid of warts is relevant to those who have encountered them.

One characteristic of these formations is that they have the ability to grow; after the appearance of one, others appear, but, as a rule, of smaller sizes. They can affect the genitals (genital warts form here), mucous membranes, and various parts of the body.

Where do warts come from?

They are benign neoplasms and their provocateur is HPV, which stands for human papillomavirus. Today, medicine knows more than 150 of its types, and all of them provoke the appearance of growths in various areas of the skin. Most often, the places of appearance are hands (usually hands), legs (mainly feet), elbows, neck, face, knees.

Therefore, it is a viral disease that is transmitted by contact. This means that the pathogen can enter the body in this way:

• Through wounds, scratches on the skin, damaged mucous membranes;
• By using the same household items with an infected person;
• With privacy;
• In the case of using non-sterilized equipment during cosmetic procedures, manicure, pedicure, tattoo, in a medical institution;
• In common areas (pool, sauna, steam room, etc. ).

Even if the integrity of the skin, mucous membranes is not violated, the risk of infection with the virus is not excluded by contact with its carrier or infected surfaces. The growths can appear up to six months or more after infection. This is one of the reasons why an infected person may not show outward signs of illness.

HPV is an infection that is also activated when exposed to negative factors:

• Decreased immunity;
• Hormonal imbalance;
• The presence of concomitant serious diseases, infectious diseases (in particular, HIV);
• Frequent depression;
• Long-term treatment with the same drugs;
• The presence of bad habits.

Types of warts

These are the main ones:

• Simple (ordinary);
• Department;
• Plant;
• Filiform.

Each of the types of formations has its own characteristics, appearance and structure.

Easy

They are also called ordinary or vulgar. This group includes about 70% of all formations of this type. They are usually caused by HPV types 2 and 4. They can infect almost any area of the skin. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that they rise significantly above it and are usually round in shape. The color of the formations is flesh-colored, grayish or yellowish-brown. They are usually dense to the touch and their diameter is 2-5 mm.

There are two types of simple growths:

• Single chamber;
• Multi-camera.

The latter need differential diagnostics, which will make sure that this is really the given type of these formations. How to get rid of warts on the arms, legs, elbows, knees, and other parts of the body where they appear depends on establishing an accurate diagnosis.

Department

The peculiarity of this type of growth is that, like vulgar formations, they form above the surface of the skin, but slightly protrude above it. This species has between 4% and 5% of the total number of formations caused by HPV.

Most often, flat growths are localized in the area of the forearms, the back of the hands, on the mucous membranes, on the face, but they can also form in other areas.

Doctors point out that children and adolescents are more susceptible to these types of growths.

Plant

The appearance of such growths resembles ordinary corns. If you find a similar phenomenon in yourself, be sure to contact a cosmetologist, or better, a dermatologist. A specialist will help determine the type and source of the problem. As is clear from the name of this species, these outgrowths on the soles of the feet are affected and adolescents often face this problem. Among all species, this represents about 20-25% of cases.

The location of these formations is such that they are often injured, and especially if a person wears uncomfortable and tight shoes. They almost never bleed, but how to get rid of warts on the legs should be of interest to the person who has these growths.

Increased humidity of this part of the body, the presence of opportunistic microorganisms in it, these factors often provoke suppuration. In this case, you may need to contact a trauma surgeon. But this can be avoided if you take care of how to get rid of the plantar wart in time and eliminate this problem.

Filiform

In medicine, they are called skin tags. They are benign neoplasms with an elongated shape and their size reaches 5-6 mm. Most often, skin tags are located on the neck, face, occupy the armpit, the groin area, in women they can occur under the breast.

Its formation begins with the appearance of a yellow spot on the skin, which subsequently becomes larger and rougher to the touch. They adopt an elongated shape, which is why they are called filamentous. In some cases, they acquire a rounded shape, but are located on a thin stem.

What do you need to know about HPV?

This is a group of viruses with more than 150 types. The infection is transmitted quite simply, which is why skin manifestations caused by HPV are quite common today. Doctors cite statistics that say that more than 60% of the world's population are carriers of one type or another of this virus.

The insidiousness of the infection lies in the fact that, penetrating the body, it remains in the basal layer of the epithelium. And then different types of viruses manifest themselves in different ways:

• Representatives of some of them are in the body without affecting the chromosomes of human cells. In this case, benign skin neoplasms are formed;
• Some types of infection infect and alter the genome of host cells, in which case malignant tumors develop.

Depending on how the virus behaves in the human body, its types are divided according to the level of oncogenicity (ability to cause cancer):

• Non-oncogenic (does not cause oncological diseases). This group includes 1-5, 10, 28, 49 types;
• Low oncogenicity (almost never causes the development of malignant diseases). This category includes, in particular, types 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40-44, 51, 72;
• Medium-risk HPV. These include types 26, 30, 35, 52, 56, 65;
• High oncogenicity (increases the risk of a precancerous condition that can turn into a cancerous tumor). This group previously includes 16, 18, 31, 45 types. The first two (16 and 18) are usually the cause of cervical cancer in women.

If a person is infected with some types of viruses, this does not exclude the risk of infection by others. A carrier can be found as a strain and several dozen.

At the moment, there are no drugs that can completely eliminate HPV from the human body. So, speaking of how to get rid of warts for good, unfortunately today there is no guarantee that getting rid of them is guaranteed that they will never appear again. Such a guarantee can only be provided by complete removal of the virus, which is currently not possible.

How does the virus manifest itself?

Skin growths are the main manifestation of its presence on the body. If you live an infection that affects the internal genital organs of women, then a gynecologist can detect its manifestations in the form of genital warts on examination, but the doctor does not make such a diagnosis "by eye". A smear is taken for PCR and this test determines the presence or absence of HPV and its strain in the body.

The infection may be accompanied by general weakness, fever. But these manifestations are accompanied by many other diseases, so they should be the reason for the search for a problem in the body.

Doctors note that if an infected person has good immunity, leads a healthy lifestyle, is not susceptible to depression, stress and other negative factors, the virus may not manifest itself for years without disturbing its carrier.

Who can get warts?

They can appear on anyone. Therefore, you can face both how to get rid of a wart in a child, and how to eliminate this problem in an adult of any age.

Are warts spread?

The growths themselves, which appear as a result of exposure to the virus, are not transmitted. But you can get infected with HPV from a person who is infected and can already become a provocateur of the appearance of skin formations. Since it is very easy to get infected with the virus, you should refrain from contacting its carriers, be careful in everyday life, using only objects.

Medical methods to remove warts.

1. It should be noted that getting rid of warts on the face, legs, arms, neck, and other parts of the body is not the same as getting rid of HPV. Neoplasms on the skin are the consequences of the influence of the provocateur on the body, and if it is impossible to get rid of the infection completely at this time, then it is possible to get rid of its consequences. But modern medicine knows how to weaken the virus. This can be done with the help of antiviral agents, immunomodulators.
2. To remove the neoplasms themselves, other methods are used.

Cryodestruction

1. There is another name for this method in medicine - cryotherapy. Cryodestruction literally means destruction by freezing. For this liquid nitrogen is used, which has a temperature of -196 degrees C. This is the indicator in which the gas acquires a liquid state.
2. This method of quickly getting rid of the wart provides that the affected area is treated by freezing the growth tissue. Its cells get so cold that the fluid they contain expands causing their destruction and, as a result, the death of the entire neoplasm.
3. The advantages of a method that allows you to quickly and effectively get rid of the wart:
   • The method can be used to treat children;
   • Affordable cost of the procedure;
   • After such moxibustion, no traces remain;
   • Speed;
   • No contraindications.
4. But it also has disadvantages:
   • If the growths are multiple and large, several procedures may be required;
   • Relapse is not excluded;
   • The patient may experience painful and unpleasant sensations during the session.

Burning with a laser

1. This is a modern technique, which is also called laser vaporization. Its essence lies in the fact that the affected area is exposed to light, which is why the growing cells evaporate. Then a scab appears in its place, and after some time the skin is restored, takes on a healthy color, appearance and structure.
2. Perhaps there is only one drawback to this method - the relatively high cost. But, if you need to get rid of high-quality warts on the face, arms, legs and any other part of the body, this effective method has many advantages:
   • The speed of the procedure: it takes between 20 and 30 minutes;
   • Generally, no additional sessions are required;
   • High efficiency;
   • The technique can be used for patients of any age and gender;
   • The painlessness is a factor that allows you not to use anesthesia;
   • Quick rehabilitation;
   • If you are looking to get rid of a wart on your finger, face, leg, or other areas, this method will work;
   • There is no need for lengthy preparation for handling.

Electrocoagulation

1. The method involves the destruction of neoplastic cells by high frequency current. Since the beginning of the use of laser vaporization, this method of removing growths has become less common.
2. However, it has its advantages:
   • The speed of the procedure;
   • High efficiency;
   • Quick rehabilitation and healing of the skin;
   • Price payable;
   • The physician can control the depth of penetration of current discharges;
   • After the procedure, the skin is quickly restored, acquires a healthy appearance and color.
3. Disadvantages of this method, how to get rid of wart on toe, leg, elbow, knees, etc.
   • It will not work if the affected area is large. In such cases, the appearance of scars is possible;
   • The procedure can be painful;
   • The use of this technique may be associated with a small, but loss of blood;
   • It is not recommended to use this method to remove formations in sensitive areas of the skin: face, neck, décolleté.

Surgical removal

1. This method is rarely used. If there is a possibility of using a bloodless and less traumatic method (for example, laser burning), it is better to resort to it.
2. Surgical removal involves excision of the buildup with a scalpel and the wound formed in the skin is sutured. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
3. The advantages of the method are the ability of the operating physician to control the depth of penetration of the scalpel and the volume of excision of the affected tissues. It can be used to remove growths from areas with thick skin, for example plantar warts on the legs.
4. Disadvantages of the method:
   • Its use is associated with blood loss, and in some cases it is quite abundant;
   • After applying it, a noticeable scar may remain;
   • After surgical removal, the duration of rehabilitation can be prolonged, as well as the healing time of the skin.

How to remove warts with home remedies?

1. They are used at home, their effect is similar to moxibustion methods, and there are many ways to deal with this problem.
2. How to get rid of warts at home and what remedies are considered effective for this?
   • Apple, beets, potatoes. You can choose one of these products. It is cut into two parts, each of which is rubbed over the affected area. After the product halves are connected, tied with a thread, wrapped in paper, sent to storage anywhere (you can go outside). The growths are believed to disappear when the fruit rots;
   • Acetic acid. Take an adhesive plaster, make a hole in it, the diameter and shape of which matches the parameters of the neoplasm. It should be glued to the skin around the growth so that the growth is in the hole in the plaster. Combine a little vinegar and wheat flour, it should form a thick porridge. It is applied to the wart, wrapped around the treated area with a clean cloth or bandage. Every day you should apply a new mixture until the problem disappears;
   • Ash. Completely burn several matches after removing the sulfur heads. Grind them into powder, add a little water to make a thick mixture. To get rid of warts at home, it is applied to the affected area, after which the "drug" must be repaired with a bandage, a clean cloth. The procedure is repeated daily until the problem disappears;
   • Celandine. Using an infusion of the plant, which can be bought at the pharmacy, clean the growth daily.
3. Before getting rid of warts with folk methods, consider some of the comments of doctors on this matter. Official medicine does not consider them effective, since there is no scientific justification for their effect. In addition, medical advice is required, which will allow you to determine the type of neoplasm, its structure. This is necessary to exclude its malignancy.
4. These are not the best ways to get rid of a baby wart. You will need the help of a specialist; the health of a small patient should not be jeopardized. The doctor will select one of the most effective methods of action, quickly, effectively and painlessly eliminating the problem.

Prophylaxis

1. The phenomenon has a viral etiology and, given the ways in which its provocateur is transmitted, it is necessary to follow certain preventive measures. When visiting common areas, use only your personal belongings, hygiene items. It is desirable to do this in everyday life, on vacation. To prevent the risk of genital infection, barrier methods of contraception should be used.
2. Warts that appear on the fingers, feet, hands, knees, elbows, face, neck, décolleté are also felt due to a decrease in immunity. Therefore, if the virus has already entered the body, steps must be taken to increase the body's defenses:
   • Proper nutrition;
   • Sport;
   • Rejection of bad habits;
   • Adequate sleep;
   • Avoid stress, depression and other negative emotional states.

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to get rid of warts forever, unfortunately. But this does not mean that they are guaranteed to return after treatment. Take preventative steps to reduce your risks. Also, you only need to be treated by a specialist. This is another way to greatly increase the chances of effectively tackling the problem.