Warts are benign formations on the skin and mucous membranes that are caused by the activation of the human papillomavirus.
They do not look aesthetically pleasing and often become the cause of complexes.A person wants to get rid of them, but does not know how.
Should I remove the growth?
It depends on the size of the papillomas, their nature and the age of the person.But most often the answer is a clear yes, because warts are contagious and can be passed on to others.Self-infection - autoinoculation - is also possible.
First, the contagiousness of neoplasms is manifested not only by direct contact with them, but also by using common household items, personal hygiene or simply by touching those places where an infected person has touched.For example, a bus handle.
Second, the location of the wart can be in a place that is subject to the greatest possible injury - the neck, feet, armpits, groin.These places are rubbed with clothes, squeezed and touched more often than others.Then this is full of malignancy, bleeding and growth.
Third, the formations can increase in size and quantity, which causes aesthetic problems.This phenomenon can be called the conquest of the territory by the wart.
Important!Not always, but it is possible for a wart to degenerate into melanoma, an incurable, aggressive skin cancer.
The main misconceptions about the dangers of surgery
Early treatment and treatment of warts is the best option.It will save a lot of time, effort and money.Although 70% of warts can disappear spontaneously after 2 years of existence, they can also easily return and, moreover, in new places.
The fears of many when contacting a surgeon are related to the fear of surgery, its complications, recurrence and possible pain during the procedure.They are completely unfounded, because modern methods provide very good pain relief, and many do not require anesthesia at all.
There is still a prevailing opinion that touching the nipple unnecessarily with a surgical knife will increase its growth.This is the deepest misconception - it is a surgical intervention that will prevent the spread of the virus and prevent the growth of warts.Fortunately, there are enough methods for this.
Those patients who are not afraid to use traditional home methods and refuse qualified help can be called strange.The experience and qualifications of the doctor are, of course, crucial, but a good surgeon is not uncommon.
And one more note - you don't need to rely on cosmetologists and run to them with warts.It is they who do not have enough medical education.
Modern methods
There are newer or older removal methods.Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.In addition, the effect depends on the size of the wart, its position and the depth of growth.
All methods can be combined into 3 groups: hardware method, surgical and chemical.Traditional treatment refers more to the method of physical (mechanical) influence.
When you contact us, the doctor can recommend the best option, in his opinion, but the final choice is made by the patient himself.
Preliminary consultations are also necessary because not all methods you choose may be suitable, as there are contraindications and limitations.
Laser treatment
The laser method can be called universal.Among all methods today it is the leader.With a laser, you can remove warts in the most inaccessible, sensitive and painful places.It is also beneficial because it does not cause scarring.The beam is the safest and least traumatic.
The efficiency is so high that one procedure is enough.The essence of the thermal effect on the wart is burning with temperature.Healing is fast, without scars and complications.
More advantages of lasers:
- the patient does not feel pain;
- no anesthesia is required;
- complete removal;
- fast - takes 1-2 minutes.Relapses are possible only in 20% of cases.
The burn leaves behind a hole that heals after 2 weeks.The skin may lighten temporarily, which also disappears on its own after 3 weeks.
Cauterization with liquid nitrogen
Cryodestruction is the freezing of the wart with the help of low temperatures using liquid nitrogen.Duration – 30 seconds.Freezing causes the growth tissue to die.When exposed to freezing, the papilloma thickens and turns white.After a minute, it becomes red and swollen.
At home, a bubble with gray liquid will appear.Within a week, it will break through on its own and a crust will form.The crust heals and falls off in 2 weeks.
A pink spot remains, gradually its color becomes the same as the skin.The formation will disappear within 2 weeks, and a spot of pink color will appear at the place of removal, which gradually disappears.
Advantages:
- without pain, scars and anesthesia;
- no infection or bleeding.
The only downside is that there is no way to control the depth of impact.
On the soles, the effect lasts about 1 minute.The procedure can be repeated on the sole up to 5 times.The downside is that the wound takes a long time to heal.
Electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation for warts uses high-frequency currents.It is concentrated in a loop that cuts off the nipple.The cauterization temperature is approximately 80 degrees.
No bleeding due to simultaneous coagulation of blood vessels.Local anesthesia is required.The great advantage of the method is that it prevents further spread of the virus.In addition, the method is quite cheap and effective.
The surrounding tissues must be covered, and the skin must be disinfected beforehand.There is also a crust phase.Within a week it disappears.After that, an almost imperceptible, transparent scar remains, but more often a bright spot.No relapse!
Application of radio wave therapy
The method is considered no less effective than electric current.Cauterization is performed using special devices;the doctor will help you choose the right one.This is a radio wave generator;its high-frequency electric waves do not touch the nipple, but completely cut it off.
The essence of the action is that the cells of the wart contain liquid, which expands when exposed to radio waves, the wart swells and bursts.The work is done with a special tip that resembles a ballpoint pen.
No scarring or infection.The only downside is that the procedure is painful;therefore, the growth is previously lubricated with anesthetic.Healthy cells are not damaged.Cauterization lasts about 20 minutes.
Advice!In the bark phase, it must not be wet or peeled!It goes away on its own within a week.
Surgical excision
Surgical removal is a traditional, classic method, which is performed with a scalpel.It is rarely used today.The method is traumatic and produces relapses and scars.
There is a risk of damage to adjacent tissues and the possibility of infection.But it is necessary if the wart is large.Under local anesthesia, the wart is scraped off with a special spoon after the incision.The stitches are cosmetic and are removed after a week.The scar remains about 3 mm in size and fades over time.
Chemical cauterization
The formation is targeted by acid or alkali.After a certain time, rinse.There are usually at least 6 procedures to achieve the effect.A burning or tingling sensation is felt during this procedure.The wart dries up and falls off.
Disadvantages:
- there is a risk of further spread of the virus and infection cannot be ruled out;
- healthy tissue is often damaged;
- Scars are possible, healing takes about 10 days.
This method is used only when other methods are not possible.
Advantages and disadvantages of different methods, which is better and which is better
Each removal method has its advantages and disadvantages;there are no ideal options.Today, the most popular methods are: laser therapy, cryotherapy, electrocoagulation, radio waves, surgical scalpel - as the frequency of use decreases.The price of the first 3 methods is actually in the same price range.
Laser leads the way: there are no inaccessible places for it, it is safe, fast and painless.Cryodestruction is considered the second most effective, but with it there is no possibility of controlling the depth of exposure, which is why relapses are possible.
And one more conclusion - the laser can remove only 1 small formation in 1 session.
Cryotherapy is applicable for papillomatosis, when up to 40 growths can be removed in one procedure.But here the experience of the doctor is of great importance for quality.
How does the location and type of growth affect the choice of technique?
There are 4 types of warts:
- vulgar- in the form of small nodules, which often grow on the fingers and toes, the backs of the hands;
- flat– typical for teenagers, they appear in the form of protruding spots;it also includes plantar (pinus);
- filamentous (acrochords)- elastic thin growths on the stem that appear on the face (eyelids, lips) and neck;
- genital warts - they are most often localized on the genital mucosa;They look like cauliflower.
These 4 types are of viral origin and belong to true warts.
But there are also senile keratomas, which are caused by functional disorders of the skin.They do not require treatment, just observation.If desired, cryotherapy can be used.
The doctor recommends a method of removal, but ultimately the patient chooses.As the choice of method depends on the type of wart: small formations can be safely removedradio wave "knife" or liquid nitrogen.
Radio knifeIt is applied to the face and neck, feet and palms, groin.It is not used for papillomas on the eyelids.They can use a laser or liquid nitrogen.
FreezingIt is also used on hands and feet (soles), papillomas on the neck.The cryo-method can be called universal.It sure is.
Laser— removes all warts on any part of the body, including under the nail.
Surgical methodit is used for large growths on the oral mucosa.
Electrocoagulationrecommended for flat and vulgar warts.It can even be used on the face.For large formations the effect is insignificant.Also, an electric knife is not used for plantar warts, as they usually have deep roots and are very dense.
Important!Plantar growths are recommended to be removed only in a hospital.
The chemical method gives good results for plantar lesions, flat and pointed.Physical methods are ineffective in comparison.
What method of tumor removal do doctors recommend?
Of course, the client chooses according to his possibilities.But for the correct decision, it must be guided by the opinion of the doctor.Experts prefer complex (combined) treatment of warts, where the leading place belongs to removal.
In addition, treatment will include oral administration of drugs with antiviral activity.Although the HPV virus (human papillomavirus) is not 100% curable and its activation largely depends on the state of the immune system, it can be slowed down, "put to sleep" and remission can be prolonged.
In addition to antiviral drugs, immunomodulators are used for this purpose.This is, first of all, a group of interferons.
Doctors are not particularly enthusiastic about traditional methods, because the treatment is not carried out by doctors and will be unsafe.It is burdened by damage to the surrounding tissues, infection and inflammation.Warts cannot be removed by any method for children under 5 years of age.