A wart is a benign growth on the skin that looks like a rounded elevation, the reason for which is the strong growth of the surface epithelium and papillary layer.
In most cases, the proliferation of cells is caused by HPV, provoked by external and internal factors - disturbances, decreased immunity, for some species - increased sweating of the limbs. You can get HPV through contact with the carrier and objects. This does not apply to old warts - their formation is non-viral in nature.
The sizes of formations vary from 1 to 15 mm on average (the older ones reach 6 cm). They have an uneven surface, so they get dirty easily, because of this, over time they can change color from almost flesh to brown. Multiple units can gather in groups when they are close together. All warts can be removed. In some cases, the doctor may decide to observe without removing if the patient is comfortable.
When to consult a doctor urgently:
- Education is located in the genital organ;
- There is itching, discharge in the area of the neoplasm;
- There is a heterogeneous color, spots;
- changes shape and color;
- Injured in everyday life due to location;
- You are not sure if it is a wart.
Faces of warts
There are 4 types:
- ordinary (simple) - formed on the hands (subgroup inside - plantar);
- Flat - occurs mainly in young people, so the second name of flat warts is youth;
- Spiked - occurs in the genital area, infection with HPV types that cause it;
- Elderly - causes unknown, not caused by HPV, develops in middle-aged and older people.
Common warts are 1-10 mm in size, dense, keratinized. The average life of such formation is about 2 years, after which it spontaneously resolves. The most common place of localization is brushes.
Plantar warts are growths on the feet that initially look like a small callus, then a rough surface with black dots appears in the center, and a small roller on the edge. Horny formations cause discomfort, because of this the patient experiences pain while walking. They can cause loss of mobility and performance. Removal of plantar warts significantly improves quality of life.
Flat warts have clear boundaries, small size - up to 5 mm, slightly above the surface of the skin by 1-2 mm. Any shape - round or uneven. Skin irritation, scratches, wounds can provoke the appearance. Favorite places for localization of this type of formations are the face, hands and shins.
Genital warts are located on the genitals. They are treated by removal and quite quickly, because they can take large measures. Infection occurs sexually, its probability is higher in the presence of wounds in the groin area. Condylomas are pink nodules that merge to form papillary growths attached to the body on the stalk.
Age warts (seborrheic keratosis) are the only ones listed that are not associated with HPV. We can talk about genetic predisposition due to frequent positive family history. Formations can reach quite large sizes - up to 4-6 cm (average size - 0. 2-3 cm). They spawn in groups of up to 20 individuals. The most common places of localization are chest, face, neck, forearms, hands.
Initially, the elements are flat and small, the surface is uneven. They are covered with crusts that are easily torn off. Then the crusts become more dense, dry, covered with cracks. Over time, their thickness can be 1-2 cm. With age, they take the shape of a mushroom cap, darken, although at first they were light yellow or pink. They contain impurities. The growths never turn into a cancerous form.
Removal of warts
The doctor chooses the treatment of warts individually, 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;
- CO2 removal by laser;
- cryodestruction;
- Diathermocoagulation.
They are suitable for removing flat and raised warts. Unfortunately, none of the presented methods are capable of eliminating HPV from the body, leaving a 30% chance of recurrence. Also, no method gives 100% guarantee, additional procedure may be required. Scars may remain after removal, the right choice of clinic and technique will help to avoid this. In a professional clinic, experienced dermatologists and high-quality equipment made according to modern standards are a combination that ensures high-quality services, pain-free and quick recovery. Infiltration and application anesthesia are possible.
laser removal
The laser produces a powerful light stream of energy, which causes a sharp increase in temperature in the tissues. The advantage of laser removal of papillomas and warts is the absence of bleeding, blisters, and large scars. The procedure lasts 5-7 minutes. As a rule, the formations first dissolve.
Removal of warts is carried out according to the following plan:
- skin treatment with antiseptic;
- treatment with anesthetic (injection or lubrication);
- treatment of papilloma on the entire surface;
- Treatment and dressing of the received wound.
Cryodestruction
Processing is done with liquid nitrogen. This procedure is used to remove a wide range of neoplasms and to treat internal organ tumors, cervical diseases, liver surgery. Under the influence of low temperature, the water in the cells freezes, the cell bursts and dies.
Removal procedure:
- anesthesia (if it is large, it is located in the thin skin area);
- exposure with a cotton swab moistened with liquid nitrogen (5-30 seconds depending on the size);
- waiting for 2 minutes. examination. If necessary, repeat the procedure.
The next day, a blister will appear on the skin, which will gradually pass. The patient's task is not to damage the bladder prematurely, to wash it gently, not to apply a diaper, to protect it from external influences.
Diathermocoagulation
This treatment method involves tissue cauterization with high frequency current, contact and non-contact method. The procedure is carried out with the help of EKhVCh (high-frequency electrosurgical device). 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 for bloodless coagulation of the skin and effectively deals with formations.
Radio wave scalpel
As a radio wave scalpel, Surgitron is used to remove warts, which acts on radio waves 3. 8-4. 0 MHz frequency. The wave evaporates the cells it is directed at and does not affect its neighbors. Often this method is used on the face, neck, genitals due to its delicacy. Advantages also include high speed, no bleeding, minimal swelling, fast healing.
The operation is performed as follows:
- the skin is treated with an antiseptic;
- Anesthesia is performed (injections, cream);
- The doctor takes the wave of the desired shape and removes the neoplasm;
- Antiseptic treatment.
Make an appointment with a dermatologist
The NEARMEDIC network of 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 - it is necessary to consult a dermatologist before applying for treatment.
Our clinic is treated by experienced dermatovenerologists, candidates and doctors of medical sciences, whom you can consult even in difficult cases. On the website you will find the names, photos and biographies of all specialists with their place of reception. Here you can make an appointment with a specific doctor.
Removing the visible manifestation of the problem is not enough to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. For this, general therapy with antiviral drugs that reduce the activity of human papillomavirus is used. The doctor will conduct a complete diagnosis, develop a treatment plan, recommend all types of removal and recommend the most effective one in a particular case. Consult a specialist at the first signs of the disease.
The cost of a doctor's visit and removal is indicated in the table. Please note that removing 2 to 5 or more formations is cheaper. Please call or use the website form to make an appointment.