Human papillomavirus is the second most common virus after the herpesvirus family. Almost everyone has had it, many are asymptomatic carriers. However, not everyone develops papillomas, warts and other manifestations. The article will tell you what factors influence the appearance of papillomas and how to fight them effectively with the help of medicines.
Causes of papillomas
Papillomavirus is not always able to activate, a healthy immune system successfully suppresses the infection. But once the protection is weakened, HPV can multiply, causing the epidermal cells to divide uncontrollably. Most often, warts and papillomas appear on the skin in the following categories of people:
- Children and adults whose immunity is still imperfect;
- Pregnant women due to natural immunosuppression necessary for child birth;
- the elderly;
- smokers and regular alcohol users;
- obesity;
- Patients with diabetes, thyroid diseases;
- patients with immunodeficiency, including HIV;
- Those who have undergone treatment with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatics.
Strategy for fighting papillomas
Treatment of papillomas should be comprehensive. It covers several areas:
- removal of tumors;
- if necessary, immunomodulatory treatment;
- General improvement of health, optimization of lifestyle.
Modern pharmacology, which offers many drugs for the treatment of papillomatosis, quite successfully copes with the first two points.
Preparations for self-removal of papillomas
Doctors categorically do not recommend removing papillomas at home, they give several arguments:
- It is difficult for an ordinary person to distinguish a papilloma or other hyperplasia of a wart. For this, a biopsy is required, after which the obtained microspecies are examined under high magnification;
- To remove papillomas, doctors use modern effective methods (cryodestruction, laser, radio knife, electrocoagulation), which are not available to ordinary people;
- Household chemicals can cause burns and leave scars if used carelessly.
However, today pharmacies offer many products to remove skin cancer. Here is a list of the most common.
An effective drug with a mummifying and causative effect. Its basis is phenol and 3-methylphenol - substances that coagulate proteins. The product is available as an oily solution in a glass bottle. An applicator is attached to the lid. The drug is cheap, a bottle is enough to remove a large number of tumors.
For small papillomas, filiform or pedunculated, one application is sufficient. If the wart is old, keratinized or dry, it is recommended to first soften the keratin layer using salicylic acid or salicylic ointment and only then apply the solution. Apply several times on large old formations with a break of 3-5 minutes.
Important!
It is prohibited to remove papillomas and condylomas on mucous membranes with this drug. This is dangerous for your health!
The use of the drug is allowed by pregnant and lactating women (on the doctor's recommendation).
A drug based on acids - nitric, acetic, oxalic, lactic acid. The cost is higher than the previous product.
The drug acts on warts in a drying and necrotic way. Available as a solution. After using it, the growths change color and fall off after a few days; A crust forms in this place, which cannot be removed, otherwise a scar may remain. The skin should heal itself. Field of application – any vulgar and flat warts, condylomas.
Important!
The drug should not be used on the face or in the anogenital area - the burning sensation can be very strong and there is a risk of acid getting into the eyes or mucous membranes!
With the drug, it is recommended to remove no more than three warts at the same time, with a total area of up to 3 cm². Pregnant and lactating women can use the drug only with a doctor's prescription and under his supervision - in a clinic or hospital manipulation room.
In addition to this remedy, pharmacies sometimes sell other preparations based on acids (lactic and salicylic). The principle of use, indications and contraindications are the same.
For those who do not want to burn warts with concentrated acids and chemicals, another method was invented - freezing. This is an aerosol containing dimethyl ether and propane.
The drug effectively helps against all types of vulgar warts, including plantar warts, as well as flat and flat warts. There are practically no restrictions on use. The product can be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children over 4 years old, as it does not contain toxic components.
The aerosol is applied using a special disposable foam applicator to deliver the ether precisely to the desired location. The product is sprayed for 10-20 seconds (depending on the size of the wart or papilloma). New small growths disappear after one application, large and old ones may take 2-4.
It is an easy-to-use and safe product developed by a Japanese company. Its only drawback is the high price. A bottle is enough to treat 5-8 warts or 12 small papillomas.
There is an alternative to the previous drug, this time made in Ireland. And the cost is slightly lower. Indications, contraindications and method of use are the same.
Immunomodulatory treatment
Drug treatment of papillomas involves suppressing the activity of the HPV virus to prevent the appearance of new growths instead of the removed growths. Antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are used for this purpose, which are taken simultaneously with the removal of papillomas and warts, as well as drugs intended for local treatment.
A drug often prescribed by doctors that suppresses HPV. Stimulates the synthesis of killer and helper cells, the production of interleukin-2, enhances the activity of monocytes and nuclear cells. All this helps to suppress the replication (multiplication) of viruses in cells.
Tablets are taken orally, 2 pieces 4 times a day at regular intervals. The course of treatment is two weeks, then take a break for the same period and repeat the treatment.
The drug gives the best results in the early stages, when the tumor has just appeared, then it is possible to quickly and effectively suppress the virus. The product is intended for use by children over 3 years of age. The dose for them is calculated by weight - 50 μg/kg. Pregnancy and lactation are contraindications to the use of the drug.
The solution is administered intravenously or rectally, in the form of suppositories. Its basis is a plant polysaccharide that stimulates the production of own interferons and suppresses virus replication. The cost is quite high. 5 ampoules are enough for a course of treatment.
In addition to injections, gel is applied to the skin after removal of tumors. With such complex treatment, it is possible to prevent new papillomas from appearing in 95% of cases.
Cream with immunomodulatory effect. Apply to the skin for 8-10 hours (at night) three times a week until the desired result is achieved. According to user reviews, the drug is effective against filiform papillomas, senile keratomas, condylomas and other defects.
The drug is not suitable for children under 18 years of age and lactating women. During pregnancy, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
A product based on interferon alfa-2b in the form of a gel, ointment or cream is suitable for all categories, including expectant mothers and babies. The drug is non-toxic and practically does not cause side effects. It is used three times a day on skin tumors for a course of 2 weeks to one month. The price is low.
The drug contains affinity-purified antibodies against human interferon in the form of a homeopathic dilution. In general, doctors are skeptical of homeopathy, so they rarely prescribe it. But the product also has advantages: non-toxic, children's dose, affordable price. It is recommended to take this drug not separately, but as part of a complex therapy.
Effective interferon inducer. Available as tablets in 1 and 10 mg doses. The first is prescribed for children and people over 65 years old, the second for adults, except for pregnant and lactating women.
It is recommended to take the drug every hour - with equal breaks, so its effectiveness will be maximum. Course - 10 days. 1 mg tablets are taken three times a day, 10 mg - once.
The drug is completely non-toxic, well tolerated and can be combined with other drugs.
Personal reviews of drugs for the treatment of papillomas
- "I removed small papillomas on my neck in the salon, but a year later they appeared again. It was a pity to give so much money for the second time, I bought an aerosol on dimethyl ether and propane to try. At first I was afraid that nothing would work out, I had to wait 10 days after applying. During such a period, I almost forgot that I was getting papillomas, but one day I got out of the shower and they were gone - my neck was clean.
- "I tried several times to remove warts on my hands with acetic acid. It was very painful, but the warts disappeared. True, then new ones grew in the same place. It seems that the acid does not burn completely. The doctor recommended a phenol-based medicine. I used it for a week, the warts became completely white, fell off and did not appear again. "