A wart is a benign formation on the skin that looks like a rounded elevation, the cause of which is a strong growth of the surface epithelium and the papillary layer.
In most cases, cell proliferation is caused by HPV, provoked by external and internal factors - unrest, a drop in immunity, for some types - increased sweating of the extremities. You can become infected with HPV through contact with a carrier and objects. This does not apply to senile warts - their formation is non-viral in nature.
The sizes of formations vary on average from 1 to 15 mm (senile ones reach 6 cm). They have an uneven surface, so they are easily contaminated, because of this, over time, they can change color from almost flesh to brown. Several units can gather in groups when they are close. All warts can be removed. In some cases, the doctor may decide to observe without removal if the patient is comfortable.
When to see a doctor urgently:
- education is located in the genital area;
- in the area of the neoplasm, itching, discharge is observed;
- there is a heterogeneous color, blotches;
- it changes shape and color;
- because of the location is injured in everyday life;
- you're not sure if it's a wart.
Types of warts
There are 4 types:
- ordinary (simple) - formed on the hands (subgroup inside - plantar);
- flat - occur mostly in young people, so the second name of flat warts is youthful;
- pointed - formed in the genital area, infection with HPV types that cause it;
- senile - the causes are unclear, are not caused by HPV, are formed in people of middle and older age.
Common warts are 1-10 mm in size, dense, keratinized. The average life of such a formation is about 2 years, after which it spontaneously resolves. The most common localization site is the brushes.
Plantar warts are formations on the feet that at first look like a small callus, then a rough surface with black dots appears in its center, and a small roller along the edge. Horny formations cause inconvenience, because of them the patient experiences pain when walking. They can lead to loss of mobility and performance. Removing plantar warts significantly improves the quality of life.
Flat warts have obvious borders, small size - up to 5 mm, slightly rise above the skin surface by 1-2 mm. Any shape - round or uneven. Skin irritation, scratches, cuts can provoke the appearance. Favorite places for the localization of formations of this type are the face, hands, and shins.
Genital warts are located on the genitals. They are treated by removal, and quite quickly, since they can acquire large sizes. Infection occurs sexually, its probability is higher in the presence of wounds in the groin. Condylomas are pink nodules that merge and form papillary growths attached to the body on a stalk.
Senile warts (seborrheic keratosis) are the only ones listed that are not related to HPV. We can talk about a genetic predisposition due to the frequent positive family history. Formations can reach quite large sizes - up to 4-6 cm (average size - 0. 2-3 cm). They spawn in a group of up to 20 units. The most common sites of localization are the chest, face, neck, forearms, hands.
At first, the elements are flat and small, the surface is uneven. They are covered with crusts that are easily removed. Then the crusts become denser, drier, covered with cracks. Over time, their thickness can be 1-2 cm. With age, they take the form of a mushroom cap, become dark, although they were originally light yellow or pink. They contain impurities. Formations never turn into a cancerous form.
Wart removal
Wart treatment is selected by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on its type, size, contraindications and other aspects. The clinic offers 4 ways to remove warts, papillomas and condylomas:
- using a radio wave scalpel;
- removal of CO2 by laser;
- cryodestruction;
- diathermocoagulation.
They are suitable for removing flat and raised warts. Unfortunately, none of the presented methods is able to eliminate HPV from the body, which leaves the probability of recurrence at 30%. Also, no method gives a 100% guarantee, an additional procedure may be required. After removal, scars may remain, the right choice of clinic and technique will help to avoid this. Experienced dermatologists in a professional clinic and high-quality equipment manufactured according to modern standards are a combination that provides high quality service, painlessness and fast recovery. Infiltration and application anesthesia are available.
laser removal
The laser produces a powerful energy light flux, causing a sharp increase in temperature in the tissues. The advantages of removing papillomas and warts with a laser is the absence of bleeding, blisters, large scars. The procedure takes 5-7 minutes. As a rule, formations are eliminated the first time.
Removal of warts is carried out according to the following plan:
- skin treatment with an antiseptic;
- treatment with an anesthetic (injection or lubrication);
- treatment of papilloma over the entire surface;
- treatment of the resulting wound and dressing.
Cryodestruction
The treatment is done with liquid nitrogen. This procedure is used in the removal of a wide range of neoplasms and even in the treatment of tumors of internal organs, in diseases of the cervix, in liver surgery. Under the influence of low temperature, the water inside the cells freezes, the cell bursts and dies.
Removal procedure:
- anesthesia (if it is large, it is located in an area with thin skin);
- exposure with a cotton swab soaked in liquid nitrogen (5-30 seconds depending on size);
- waiting for 2 minutes. Examination. If necessary, repeat the procedure.
The next day, a bubble will appear on the skin, which will gradually pass. The patient's task is not to damage the bubble ahead of time, to wash gently, not to apply a patch, to protect it from external influences.
Diathermocoagulation
This method of treatment involves cauterization of tissues using a high frequency current, contact and non-contact method. The procedure is carried out with the help of EKhVCh (high-frequency electrosurgical apparatus). Its difference from the radio wave scalpel "Surgitron" lies in the use of high-frequency current - about 400 kHz (up to 4 MHz in the radio knife). The method allows bloodless coagulation of the skin and effectively cope with formations.
radio wave scalpel
As a radio wave scalpel, when removing warts, Surgitron is used, which operates on radio waves with a frequency of 3. 8-4. 0 MHz. The wave evaporates the cells to which it is directed, and does not affect the neighboring ones. Often this method is used on the face, neck, genitals due to its delicacy. The advantages also include high speed, bloodlessness, minimal swelling, rapid healing.
The operation is carried out as follows:
- the skin is treated with an antiseptic;
- anesthesia is administered (injections, cream);
- the doctor takes the waveguide of the desired shape and removes the neoplasm;
- antiseptic treatment.
Make an appointment with a dermatologist
The network of NEARMEDIC clinics offers several effective methods for the removal of flat, pointed, senile, common, including plantar warts. An inexperienced person can confuse warts with other neoplasms that can turn into a malignant form - before resorting to treatment, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist.
In our clinic, experienced dermatovenereologists, candidates and doctors of medical sciences, with whom you can consult even in difficult cases, are engaged in treatment. You will find the names, photos and biographies of all specialists with their place of admission on the website. Here you can make an appointment with a specific doctor.
Removing the visible manifestations of the problem is not enough to reduce the likelihood of relapses. For this, general therapy with antiviral drugs is used, which reduce the activity of the human papillomavirus. The doctor will conduct a full diagnosis, develop a treatment plan, advise on all types of removal and recommend the most effective in a particular case. At the first sign of the disease, contact a specialist.
The cost of a doctor's appointment and removal is indicated in the table. Please note that removal of 2 to 5 or more than 5 formations is cheaper. To make an appointment, please call or use the form on the website.