Warts on the hands are neoplasms that are predominantly benign. The appearance of such formations is associated with increased activity of human papillomavirus. The disease is highly contagious and requires special complex therapy.
Causes of warts on the hands
Warts are an unpleasant external manifestation of an infectious skin disease. The culprit is human papillomavirus.
How does HPV infection, which causes warts on the hands to multiply:
- Contact method. . . Most often, infection with these pathogenic microorganisms occurs through direct contact between the skin of a healthy and infected person. A simple handshake may be enough. Because of this, the most common occurrence of warts on the hands is because the hands are the most contact part of the body. In addition to this option, it is possible to mention the possibility of transmission of the pathogen when using objects and objects that have been affected by the disease carrier. Therefore, you can get infected from relatives at home. Sometimes the virus lives on different wet surfaces for some time, for example in baths, dressing rooms, public transport, etc. Sh.
- Autoinfection. . . If a similar neoplasm has appeared on one part of the body, then there is a risk of self-infection. More precisely, the spread of the virus to healthy tissue. This happens when the growths are traumatized by nails or various objects. If wound and hand hygiene is not implemented in a timely manner, then an increase in injury can easily be provoked.
- From mother to child. . . Under this option, the baby becomes infected from the mother during childbirth.
It should be noted that sexual contact with a carrier of the virus rarely causes warts on the hands. This method of transmission often causes other types of benign neoplasms.
HPV is very infectious. It is difficult to prevent infection. The disease affects both men and women, both adults and children. Most often, warts on the hands occur in children and adults.
It can take 1 to 6 months from the moment the virus enters the body until the first external manifestations appear. However in some cases only the carriage is observed in which the warts never start to grow. This is possible if the human's immunity is strong enough and does not allow the virus to multiply and become active.
Thus, HPV can wait a long time for the right moment - a significant weakening of the immune system.
Various types of mental trauma, improper work and rest regime, drug addiction, unbalanced diet, bad habits and unfavorable environmental conditions can affect the immune state in order to reduce it.
The factors causing the appearance of these formations are numerous, let's consider the most obvious reasons why warts appear on the hands:
- Acute and chronic diseases. . . Any disease and lack of timely and competent treatment can significantly weaken the immune system. The increased risk of getting HPV by developing warts on the hands is increased by HIV, eczema, psoriasis, etc. Sh. The risk of the virus penetrating the epidermis increases even with the smallest cracks in the skin.
- Individual characteristics. . . Hyperhidrosis, e. ი. Increased sweating on the hands is a provocative factor, as it promotes the production of special pathological microflora and high humidity, which are favorable conditions for the multiplication of HPV.
- Failure to follow the rules of personal hygiene. . . Explaining what causes warts on your hands in the absence of skin care is fairly straightforward. For example, dry skin can cause small cracks and irritation through which the virus can safely penetrate inside. It should be noted that infection can be avoided even after shaking hands with an infected person if timely hand washing is banal.
With strong protective functions the body can deal with infection independently. At best recovery occurs in 2-3 months. According to statistics, this is about 20% of all cases. Sometimes the healing process with the help of your own forces takes about 2 years.
What do warts look like on your hands?
Many people who have discovered skin neoplasms in themselves are wondering how to cure warts on their hands. However, before starting treatment you need to make sure that you have exactly the warts and for that you need to be able to distinguish these benign formations from others - corn, keratosis, lichen and molluscum contagiosum.
The most important difference is that warts have small blood vessels on the hands and other parts of the body. This can be understood by accidental growth damage or an attempt to remove it - bleeding of varying intensity occurs.
The color spectrum of benign and safe warts is varied. Growths can be fleshy, light yellow, light brown, gray-brown. Occasionally there may be blackheads on the surface - thrombotic vessels. At the same time, staining of neoplasms caused by human papillomavirus in bright brown, black is not typical. Any color change should alert the person and they should go to the hospital immediately to determine how to treat the warts on their hands. Fear must also be triggered by formations that ignite, fester, and begin to grow at an accelerated rate.
Wart sizes range from 1 to 10 mm. They are single or formed into several groups. With a very weak immune response, neoplasm tissues grow rapidly. Individual formations can grow together.
Warts of any type provoke hyperkeratosis - excessive thickening of the upper layer of the epidermis. So such formations are easily felt, they are clearly distinguished by a rougher and more solid structure against the background of healthy cells.
Most often, there are two types of warts on the hands:
- Common warts. . . They are also called vulgar. The favorite place for this type of neoplasm is the hands. Easily applied to facial skin. The color is fleshy, yellowish-brown or gray. It is on such warts that black dots are often seen. The formations are keratinized impurities above the skin. In shape, such warts on the hands look like a knot or a domed papule. Their structure is dense, the surface with uneven thin gums, characterized by increased tissue dryness. The size is usually 2 to 7 mm in diameter. Most often they do not cause pain.
- Superficial flat warts. . . Another name is youth. The backs of the hands are often injured. Color - from light yellow to brown. Outwardly, they look like round or irregularly shaped flat knots. Size 3-4 mm. Practically does not fall on the skin.
- Flat warts are deep. . . The second type of flat warts. Representatives of this species grow indoors. They are very specific formations. It also has an irregular shape, color from light yellow to brown. Not particularly prominent on the skin, but on the outer surface of the bulk there is a small depression in the middle. The size of one neoplasm is 3-4 mm. Most often, these are deep warts on the hands that need treatment. They usually show quite strong painful sensations.
Warts are a source of infection. At the same time, they cause great physical discomfort to the owner and create complexes in him, an inconvenience due to their appearance, because the hands are almost always in mind. Because of this, even without pain and dangerous changes in the structure of such formations, it is advisable to go to the hospital and find out how to get rid of warts on the hands.
Ways to treat hand warts
Identifying and treating the causes of warts on the hands should be carried out by a qualified doctor who has not only knowledge and experience, but also all kinds of diagnostic tools. Thus, with the help of laboratory tests to determine the type of human papillomavirus, viral load, assess the risks of developing adverse outcomes. According to the results, complex therapy is prescribed, which includes not only medication, but also instrumental removal of dangerous neoplasms. Self-medication can often lead to a lack of therapeutic effect or the development of complications.
Treatment of warts on the hands with medication
Warts on the hands are treated by a dermatologist. Its main task is to inhibit the activity of the virus and prevent the spread of infection. To do this, antivirals are used both for external use and for oral administration.
The most popular remedies used to treat warts are:
- Ointments to disinfect and fight the virus. . . Topical treatments can reduce the spread of infection on the skin, thus reducing the risk of infection for others. Many drugs effectively inhibit virus activity, slowing the uncontrolled growth of neoplasms. They also promote rapid healing of skin lesions, relieving inflammation.
- External means for the destruction of formations. . . The active ingredients have an aggressive effect on the growth cells, help to destroy them and provoke the complete elimination of warts on the hands and other parts of the body. Their use is desirable in the walls of a medical facility to avoid adverse consequences in the form of damage to healthy tissues. Separately, we can mention spraying with dimethyl ether and propane. The drug acts on the principle of cryodestruction and effectively removes epithelial tumors caused by HPV.
It should be noted that at this time no specific drug against human papillomavirus has been found. However, there are medications that can reduce viral activity and stop the growth of warts on the hands, feet and other parts of the body. So in a separate column should be mentioned the medications that are intended for oral administration. They actively stimulate the immune system, help the body produce special immune cells and can also have a visible antiviral effect.
Popular medications with antiviral and immunostimulatory activity used to treat HPV in the presence of warts on the hands:
- Drug with inosine. Complements a strong antiviral effect with a stimulating effect on the immune system. A comprehensive solution to the problem of various strains of HPV provides an enhanced immune response and suppression of viral activity.
- A synthetic analogue of the purine nucleoside. It is a direct-acting drug that targets viruses, including HPV. The result of treatment is a noticeable reduction in viral activity.
- Inducer of endogenous interferon synthesis. The action is specific - it activates the body's defenses, triggers a lot of immune processes. Accelerates the production of interferon.
- Preparation with meglumine acridone acetate. Increases the body's resistance to the effects of HPV. Reduces viral load and stops the growth of warts on the hands.
- A popular immunostimulatory drug. An increase in the immune response leads to the fact that the virus loses the ability to integrate into healthy cells, while its population is significantly reduced.
If there is a strong weakening of health, then the doctor recommends taking vitamin and mineral complexes to restore the balance of nutrients and the action of each structural unit of the body.
After comprehensive treatment of warts on the hands, patient reviews indicate that complex therapy has a great effect and the recurrence rate is much lower than simple removal of epithelial tumors by instrumental methods without the use of antiviral and immunostimulatory agents.
Removal of warts on the hands by instrumental methods
Removal of damaged epithelium is a mandatory procedure if the warts cause discomfort, grow rapidly and change structure, or are frequently damaged. Moreover, any mechanical effect on the growths can provoke bleeding, add a secondary infection, develop an inflammatory process. Because of this, it is strictly forbidden to remove warts on the hands.
There are numerous modern methods of instrumental removal of skin neoplasms. They are distinguished by a high degree of efficiency. Most of them are considered minimally invasive. Painlessness during the procedures is provided by local anesthesia.
The most popular methods of instrumental destruction of warts on the hands are:
- Electrocoagulation. . . This method is perfect for removing vulgar warts that are exhausted at the skin level, although it also helps to remove deep epithelial neoplasms. A special device with a loop at the bottom synthesizes high frequency current and simply stops the accumulation. No bleeding occurs during manipulation. The resulting bark leaves in 5-7 days. After electrocoagulation the scar remains only after deep exposure.
- Surgical excision. . . In most cases it is prescribed if it is necessary to take a specimen for analysis and in the presence of large lesions. Warts on the hands are removed using a surgical scalpel. Healthy tissue is often excised during this procedure. Cosmetic sutures are made 7-10 days after the procedure. Scars may remain after the tissues are completely healed. The cost of surgery is calculated individually for each patient.
- Laser removal. . . According to many criteria, it is considered the most successful method - a minimum of painful sensations, high safety, accurate impact on education. With the help of a laser, wart cells on the hands are burned. The remaining recesses are closed after 2-3 weeks.
- Cryodestruction. . . Deep freezing of tissues within a few seconds causes the death of treated tissues. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, the warts on the hands become slightly pale and thicker. The tissue around it is slightly swollen and may be reddened. The wart body then transforms into a bubble that can fill with fluid. Within a week it shrinks and the bark remains in place. From this point on, the skin recovery time is about 2 weeks.
The crusts, blisters, wounds formed as a result of the procedures should never be cut. This can lead to infection and length of recovery. Also, such actions often leave unattractive scars.
The cost of each procedure depends on the location of the warts on the hands, the number of growths, and the total area of the lesion. Also, different clinics can offer the same service at different prices depending on the type of equipment used and the qualifications of the medical staff.
Treatment of warts on the hands with folk remedies
Many people refuse to see a doctor for a variety of reasons and seek answers to the question of how to get rid of warts on their hands at home.
Traditional healers use lots of improvised remedies, foods and plants to eliminate warts and fight human papillomavirus. However, you should understand that the effectiveness of traditional medicine in treating HPV is quite weak, so you should not rely on it to refuse medication and professional removal of skin formations.
In some cases, the attending physician may recommend the addition of traditional methods of treating warts on the hands with folk remedies. The tasks are the same - to maintain immunity and increase the antiviral activity of the body, to normalize the balance of nutrients, as well as local antiseptic treatment.
Recipes of effective folk remedies:
- Herbal infusion. . . To prepare, take 25 g of birch leaves, juniper needle, dandelion root, plantain leaf, chicory root and 30 g of nettle leaf, azine grass and horse tail grass. Pour all ingredients into boiling water in a volume of 1 liter, boil for 10 minutes on low heat, insist 10-12 hours. You should take half a cup four times a day.
- Infusion with herbs. . . For cooking, take worm grass (10 g), birch buds (15 g), lemon balm grass (20 g), hay grass (25 g) and juniper berries (30 g). All ingredients are mixed. To boil, take 40 g of vegetable mixture, pour 400-500 ml of boiling water, leave for 1-1, 5 hours, filter and enter inside. The received dose is calculated for 1 day. Treatment of hand warts takes 2 to 5 weeks.
- Hand baths. . . The starting material is tea tree oil (3 drops) and lemon juice (from half of the fruit). Both ingredients are diluted in 2 cups of warm water. Place in a palm mixture and simmer for 20 minutes. Softened wart particles on the hands should be removed after the procedure. The device has antiviral effect, softens the skin, accelerates tissue regeneration and fights pathogens.
- Lemon-pine mixture for warts. . . It is necessary to mix lemon and pine oil in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected areas 3-5 times a day to soften the growths, have an antiseptic effect and accelerate the regeneration of healthy tissues.
- Apps for warts. . . Patchouli oil is applied to the bactericidal stain and attached to the precipitate. Such applications can last for several hours. To accelerate the therapeutic effect, the procedure should be performed 2-3 times a day until the warts on the hands disappear completely.
- Worm infusion. . . 60 ml of boiling water is poured into 60 g of crushed dry grass. Insist 2, 5 hours in a thermos, filter. The infusion is soaked in a gauze bandage and compresses are made twice a day.
Sometimes used to remove warts with celandine, onion, potato juice, lemon, kalanchoe, acetic acid.
Real patient reviews about treatment for warts on the hands
The choice of treatment methods is the prerogative of physicians, but it will not be superfluous to become familiar with possible HPV therapy options and neoplasm removal methods before going to the hospital. Feedback on the treatment of warts left on the internet forums will help to pre-evaluate the effectiveness of a particular scheme. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of HPV:
- "My son has warts on his hands. Immediately they simply injected it with antiseptic, but when they started to grow near the nails, pain appeared. We decided to remove it in the safest and most effective way, as we were told - by radio waves. The son, indeed, did not complain of pain during the procedure, there was no blood. The skin recovered very quickly. Then they took interferon-based medicine. There are no warts now. "
- "I got these growths for some reason. They were very sick. I tried garlic at home and put celandine, but to no avail. They had to remove them with a laser. The warts on my hands were deep, so the scars were deep. It took about two weeks to heal. "I still take antiviral pills and immunosuppressants. "
- "But folk remedies did not help me, they just started to ulcerate me. I had to go to the surgeon, because a lot of this nonsense has grown. For recovery. "
Treating warts on the hands is a responsible job. Prescribing medications and determining the best method of destruction should only be done by a qualified medical professional to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the risk of infecting people around you.