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 decrease 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 size of formations varies on average from 1 to 15 mm (senile reaches 6 cm). They have an uneven surface, so they are easily contaminated, because of this, they can change color over time from almost flesh to brown. Multiple units can be grouped together when they are close together. All warts can be removed. In some cases, the doctor may decide to observe without removal if the patient is well.
When to see a doctor immediately:
- education is located in the gender area;
- in the area of the neoplasm, itching, discharge is observed;
- there is a heterogeneous color, spots;
- it changes shape and color;
- because of the location is injured in everyday life;
- you are not sure if it is a wart.
Types of warts
There are 4 types:
- common (simple) - formed on the hands (subgroup inside - plantar);
- flat - occurs mostly in young people, so the second name of flat warts is youthful;
- spike - 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 middle-aged and older people.
Common warts are 1-10 mm in size, dense, keratinized. The average lifetime of such a formation is about 2 years, after which it spontaneously resolves. The most common place of localization is the brushes.
Plantar warts are formations on the feet that first look like a small callus, then a rough surface appears with black dots in the center and a small roll along the edge. Lumpy formations cause inconvenience, because of them the patient experiences pain when walking. They can lead to loss of mobility and performance. Removal of plantar warts significantly improves quality of life.
Flat warts have clear borders, small size - up to 5 mm, rise slightly above the skin surface by 1-2 mm. Any shape - round or uneven. Skin irritation, scratches, wounds can provoke the appearance. Favorite places for 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, as they can get large sizes. Infection occurs sexually, its probability is higher in the presence of wounds in the groin. Condylomas are pink nodules that merge to 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 because of 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 locations are chest, face, neck, forearms, hands.
To begin with, the elements are flat and small, the surface is uneven. They are covered with crusts that can be 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 pale yellow or pink. They contain impurities. Formations never turn into a cancer.
Removal of warts
Wart treatment is chosen 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:
- use of a radio wave scalpel;
- removal of CO2 by laser;
- cryodestruction;
- diathermocoagulation.
They are suitable for removing flat and raised warts. Unfortunately, none of the methods presented are able to remove HPV from the body, leaving the probability of recurrence at 30%. Furthermore, no method provides 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, pain-free and quick recovery. Infiltration and application anesthesia are available.
laser removal
The laser produces a powerful energy light flux that causes a sharp increase in the temperature of the tissues. The advantages of removing papillomas and warts with a laser are 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 takes place with liquid nitrogen. This procedure is used for the removal of a wide variety of neoplasms and even for 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 in advance, to wash carefully, not to apply a patch, to protect it from external influences.
Diathermocoagulation
This treatment method involves cauterization of tissue using a high-frequency current, contact and non-contact method. The procedure is performed using 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 bloodless coagulation of the skin and effectively clear formations.
radio wave scalpel
The Surgitron, which operates on radio waves with a frequency of 3. 8-4. 0 MHz, is used as a radio wave scalpel when removing warts. The wave vaporizes the cells it is aimed at and does not affect the adjacent ones. Often this method is used on the face, neck, genitals because of its delicacy. Benefits also include high speed, bloodlessness, minimal swelling, quick healing.
The operation is performed 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, graduates and doctors of medical sciences, whom you can consult even in difficult cases, are engaged in treatment. You will find all specialists' names, photos and biographies with their location on the website. Here you can book an appointment with a specific doctor.
Removing the visible manifestations of the problem is not enough to reduce the likelihood of relapse. For this, general therapy with antiviral drugs is used, which reduce the activity of the human papillomavirus. The doctor will perform a full diagnosis, develop a treatment plan, advise on all types of removal and recommend the most effective one in a particular case. At the first sign of the disease, contact a specialist.
The costs for a doctor's visit and removal are indicated in the table. Please note that removing 2 to 5 or more than 5 formations is cheaper. To make an appointment, please call or use the form on the website.