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 trouble, you need to know for what reasons 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 knotty growths. Outwardly, they resemble moles, but the latter are soft to the touch, smooth, and their color is slightly darker than the skin color. Warts are tough, because their upper layer is a stratum corneum, because of which they are unpleasant to the touch, and their color is similar to that of the skin. These growths bring considerable discomfort, so it is not surprising that the question of how to get rid of warts is relevant for those who have encountered them.

A feature 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 are formed 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 their occurrence are hands (usually hands), legs (mainly feet), elbows, neck, face, knees.

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

• Through wounds, scratches on the skin, damaged mucous membranes;
• By using the same household items with an infected person;
• With intimacy;
• In the case of using non-sterile equipment during cosmetic procedures, manicure, pedicure, tattoo, in a medical institution;
• In common areas (swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, 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. Growths may appear even six months or more after infection. This is one of the reasons that an infected person may not have 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 illnesses, infectious diseases (in particular, HIV);
• Frequent depression;
• Long-term treatment with the same medicines;
• The presence of bad habits.

Types of warts

Here are the main ones:

• Simple (ordinary);
• Flat;
• Plantar;
• Filiform.

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

Simple

They are also called ordinary or vulgar. This group includes about 70% of all formations of this type. They are usually provoked 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 yellow-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-chamber.

The latter need differential diagnostics, which will make sure that this is indeed 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 the establishment of an accurate diagnosis.

Flat

The peculiarity of this type of growths is that they, like vulgar formations, are formed above the surface of the skin, but they protrude above it slightly. This species owns 4% -5% of the total number of formations that HPV causes.

More 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 note that children and adolescents are more susceptible to this type of growths.

Plantar

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 origin of the problem. As it becomes clear from the name of this species, these outgrowths of the soles of the feet are affected, and adolescents often face this problem. Among all species, this accounts for about 20-25% of cases.

The location of these formations is such that they are often injured, and especially if a person wears uncomfortable, 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.

The increased humidity of this part of the body, the presence of opportunistic microorganisms on 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 acrochords. They are benign neoplasms with an elongated shape, and their size reaches 5-6 mm. Most often, acrochords are located on the neck, face, occupy the armpit, groin area, in women they can occur under the breast.

Their formation begins with the appearance of a yellow spot on the skin, which subsequently becomes larger and coarser to the touch. They take on an elongated shape, which is why they are called filamentary. In some cases, they get a rounded shape, but they are located on a thin stem.

What you need to know about HPV?

This is a group of viruses with more than 150 types. The infection is transmitted quite simply, so today the skin manifestations caused by HPV are quite common. 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 into the body, it is retained in the basal layer of the epithelium. And then different types of the virus 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 the host's 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 (do not cause oncological diseases). This group includes 1-5, 10, 28, 49 types;
• Low oncogenicity (almost never provoke the development of malignant diseases). This category includes, in particular, 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40-44, 51, 72 types;
• Medium-risk HPV. These include types 26, 30, 35, 52, 56, 65;
• High oncogenicity (increasing the risk of a precancerous condition that can develop into a cancerous tumor). This group previously includes 16, 18, 31, 45 types. The first two (16 and 18) are often the cause of cervical cancer in women.

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

At the moment, there are no drugs that can completely rid the human body of HPV. Therefore, speaking about how to get rid of warts forever, unfortunately, today there is no guarantee that getting rid of them is guaranteed to lead to the fact that they will never come back. Such a guarantee can only be provided by complete elimination of the virus, which at the moment is not possible.

How does the virus manifest itself?

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

Infection can 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, he 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 in any person. Therefore, you can face both how to get rid of a wart in a child, and how to eliminate this trouble 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 become infected with HPV from a person who is infected with it, and he is already able to become a provocateur of the appearance of formations on the skin. Given that it is very easy to become infected with the virus, you must refrain from contact with its carriers, be careful in everyday life, using only objects.

Medical methods for removing warts

1. It should be borne in mind 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 itself completely at the moment, 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 eliminate the neoplasms themselves, other methods are used.

Cryodestruction

1. There is another name for this method in medicine - cryotherapy. Cryodestruction literally means freeze destruction. Liquid nitrogen is used for this, having a temperature of -196 degrees C. This is the indicator at which the gas acquires a liquid state.
2. This method for quickly getting rid of the wart provides that the affected area is treated by freezing the growth tissue. Their cells are cooled so much that the liquid that 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;
   • Rapidity;
   • 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 unpleasant, painful 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, due to which the growth cells are evaporated. A crust then appears in its place, and after a while the skin is restored, acquires a healthy color, appearance, structure.
2. There is perhaps only one drawback of this method - the relatively high cost. But, if you need to get rid of high-quality wart on the face, arms, legs and any other parts of the body, then this effective method has a lot of advantages:
   • The speed of the procedure - it takes 20-30 minutes;
   • Usually no additional sessions are required;
   • High efficiency;
   • The technique can be used for patients of any age and gender;
   • Painlessness is a factor that allows you not to use anesthesia;
   • Fast rehabilitation;
   • If you are looking for how to get rid of a wart on your finger, face, leg or other areas, this method will work;
   • No need for lengthy preparation for manipulation.

Electrocoagulation

1. The method involves the destruction of neoplastic cells by means of 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;
   • Fast rehabilitation and healing of the skin;
   • Affordable price;
   • The doctor 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 blood loss;
   • It is not recommended to use this method to eliminate formations on 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, less traumatic method (for example, laser burning), then it is better to resort to it.
2. Surgical removal involves excision of the build-up with a scalpel, and the wound formed on the skin is sutured. The procedure is performed using 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 long, as well as the healing time of the skin.

How to remove warts with folk remedies?

1. They are used at home, their effect is similar to the methods of moxibustion, 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 halves of the product are connected, tied with a thread, wrapped in paper, sent to storage anywhere (you can go outside). It is believed that the growths will go away when the fruit rots;
   • Acetic acid. Take an adhesive plaster, make a hole in it, the diameter and shape of which coincides with the parameters of the neoplasm. It must be glued to the skin around the growth so that the latter is in the hole of the adhesive plaster. Combine a little vinegar and wheat flour, a thick gruel should form. It is applied to the wart, wrapped around the treated area with a clean cloth or bandage. Every day you need to apply a new mixture until the problem recedes;
   • Ash. Completely burn several matches after removing the heads of sulfur. Grind them into a powder, add a little water to it to make a thick mixture. To get rid of warts at home, it is applied to the affected area, after which the "medicine" must be fixed using a bandage, a clean cloth. The procedure is repeated daily until the problem recedes;
   • Celandine. Using the infusion of the plant, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, wipe the growth daily.
3. Before you get rid of warts using folk methods, consider some of the doctors' comments 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 in order to exclude its malignancy.
4. These are not the best ways to get rid of a baby's wart. He will need the help of a specialist - one should not risk the health of a little patient. The doctor will select one of the most effective methods of action, eliminating the trouble quickly, effectively and painlessly.

Prevention

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 advisable to do this in everyday life, on vacation. To prevent the risk of genital infection, barrier contraception should be used.
2. Warts that appear on the fingers, feet, hands, knees, elbows, face, neck, décolleté also make themselves felt due to a decrease in immunity. Therefore, if the virus has already entered the body, measures should be taken to increase the body's defenses:
   • Proper nutrition;
   • Sport;
   • Rejection of bad habits;
   • Adequate sleep;
   • Avoiding 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 preventive measures to reduce your risks. In addition, you only need to be treated by a specialist. This is another way to greatly increase the chances of effectively dealing with the problem.