Warts on the hands are neoplasms that are mostly benign. The emergence of such growths is associated with increased human papillomavirus activity. The disease is highly contagious and requires special complex therapy.
The cause of the appearance of warts on the hands
Warts are an unpleasant external manifestation of an infectious disease of the skin. The cause is human papillomavirus.
How HPV infection occurs, which triggers the growth of warts on the hands:
- Relational methods. . . Often, infection with these pathogenic microorganisms occurs through direct contact between the skin of a healthy person and an infected person. A simple handshake may be enough. Because of this, the most common occurrence is the occurrence of warts on the hands, as the hands are the most touching part of the body. In addition to these options, it is possible to observe the possibility of pathogen transmission when using objects and objects that have been touched by disease carriers. Therefore, you can be infected from relatives at home. Sometimes the virus persists for some time on various wet surfaces, for example, in bathrooms, dressing rooms, public transportation, etc.
- Autoinfection. . . If a similar neoplasm has appeared on one part of the body, then the risk of self -infection is possible. More precisely, the spread of the virus to healthy tissues. This occurs when the tumor is traumatized with nails or various objects. If the hygiene of wounds and hands is not done in a timely manner, then the escalation of the lesion can be easily provoked.
- From mother to child. . . Consistent with this option, childhood infection occurs from the mother during childbirth.
It should be noted that sexual contact with a carrier of the virus is rarely the cause of the appearance of warts on the hands. This method of transmission often results in another type of benign neoplasm.
HPV is highly contagious. It is difficult to prevent infection. The disease affects both men and women, both adults and children. Often, warts on the hands appear in children and adolescents.
From the moment the virus enters the body until the first external manifestations appear, it can take from 1 to 6 months. Although in some cases only transport is observed, where the warts never begin to grow. This can be done if a person’s immunity is strong enough and does not allow the virus to multiply and activate.
Therefore, HPV can wait a long time for the right time - a significant weakness of the immune system.
Various types of mental trauma, improper work and rest regimens, drug abuse, unbalanced diet, adherence to bad habits and unfavorable environmental conditions can affect the immune status towards its decline.
The predisposing factors for the appearance of this formation are many, consider the most obvious reasons why warts appear on the hands:
- Acute and chronic diseases. . . Any illness and lack of timely and efficient treatment can significantly weaken the immune system. The increased risk of getting HPV with the development of warts on the hands is with HIV, eczema, psoriasis, etc. The risk of virus penetration into the epidermis increases with the presence of the smallest cracks in the skin.
- Individual characteristics. . . Hyperhidrosis, that is. increased sweating in the palms of the hands is a provoking factor, as it promotes the formation of special pathological microflora and high humidity, which is a favorable condition for the reproduction of HPV.
- Failure to comply with the rules of personal hygiene. . . Explaining what causes warts on your hands without skin care is fairly straightforward. For example, dry skin can trigger the formation of small cracks and irritation, through which the virus can safely penetrate into. It should be noted that the infection can be prevented even after shaking hands with an infected person, if it is superficial to wash your hands in a timely manner.
With a strong protective function, the body can cope with the infection on its own. In the best case, recovery occurs in 2-3 months. According to statistics, this is about 20% of all cases. Sometimes the recovery process with the help of self-strength takes place within 2 years.
What do warts look like on your hands?
Many people, having discovered skin neoplasms in themselves, wonder how to cure warts on their hands. However, before starting treatment, you should make sure that you have the warts exactly, and for this you need to be able to distinguish this benign growth from the others - corns, keratosis, lichen planus and molluscum contagiosum.
The most important difference is that warts on the hands and other parts of the body have small blood vessels. This can be understood by inadvertently injuring the growth or when trying to remove it on its own - bleeding of varying intensity occurs.
The color spectrum of benign and safe warts is diverse. Growth can be flesh-colored, light yellow, light brown, gray-brown. Sometimes on its surface black dots can be observed-places of thrombotic vessels. At the same time, staining of neoplasms caused by human papillomavirus in light brown, black color is not typical. Any discoloration should alert the person and urge an immediate trip to the hospital to determine how to treat the warts on the hands. Fear should also be caused by a tumor that is inflamed, purulent and begins to grow at an accelerated rate.
The size of the warts varies from 1 to 10 mm. They are singular or formed in several groups. With a very weak immune response, neoplasm tissue grows rapidly. Individual growth can grow together with each other.
Any type of wart gives rise to hyperkeratosis - excessive thickening of the upper layer of the epidermis. That is why such growth is easily felt, it stands out clearly on the background of healthy cells with a rougher and denser structure.
Often, two types of warts appear on the hands:
- Ordinary warts. . . They are also called abusive. The favorite place for this type of neoplasm is the hand. Easily spreads to facial skin. The color is fleshy, yellow-brown or gray. It is on such warts that black spots can often be seen. Tumors are keratinization eminences on the skin. In shape, warts like on the hand resemble nodules or domed papules. Their structure is dense, the surface is uneven with small villas, characterized by increased tissue dryness. The size is usually 2 to 7 mm in diameter. Often they do not cause pain.
- Superficial flat warts. . . Another name is ageless. The dorsum of the hand is often affected. Color - from pale yellow to brown. In appearance, they resemble flat nodules of round or irregular shape. Its size is 3-4 mm. Practically does not stand out on the skin.
- Flat warts are deep. . . Flat warts of the second type. Representatives of this species grow inwards. They are very specific formations. Also has an irregular shape, color from pale yellow to brown. Not too prominent on the skin, but on the outer surface of the build there is a slight depression towards the middle. The size of a single neoplasm is 3-4 mm. Often, deep warts on the hands need treatment. they, as a rule, convey a rather strong painful sensation.
Warts are a source of infection. At the same time, they bring great physical discomfort to their owner and form a complex in him, embarrassing about their appearance, because the hands are almost always visible. Therefore, even in the absence of pain and dangerous changes in the structure of such growths, it is advisable to go to the hospital and find out how to remove warts on the hands.
Ways to treat hand warts
Determination of the cause of warts on the hands and treatment should be carried out by a qualified doctor, who has not only the knowledge and experience, but also all kinds of tools to make a diagnosis. Therefore, with the help of laboratory tests, the type of human papillomavirus, the viral load is determined, the risk of developing adverse consequences is assessed. Based on the results, complex therapy is prescribed, which includes not only taking medications, but also instrumental removal of the neoplasm, which is dangerous. Medications alone can often cause a lack of therapeutic effect or the development of complications.
Treatment of warts on the hands with medications
Dermatologists deal with the treatment of warts on the hands. Its main task is to block the activity of the virus and prevent the spread of infection. For this, antiviral drugs are used for external use and for oral administration.
The most popular medications used to treat hand warts are:
- Ointment for disinfection and against viruses. . . Topical treatment can reduce the spread of infection through the skin, thus reducing the risk of infection to others. Many drugs effectively suppress viral activity, slowing the uncontrolled growth of neoplasms. They also contribute to the rapid healing of skin lesions, relieving inflammation.
- External means for the destruction of growth. . . The active ingredient has an aggressive effect on growth cells, promotes their destruction and triggers the complete elimination of warts on the hands and other parts of the body. Its use is desirable within the walls of medical institutions to avoid undesirable consequences in the form of injury to healthy tissues. Separately, we can observe sprays 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 currently no specific drugs have been found against human papillomavirus. 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. Therefore, in a separate column is worth highlighting drugs intended for oral administration. They actively stimulate the immune system, help the body produce special immune cells, and are also capable of having a visible antiviral effect.
Popular drugs with antiviral and immunostimulatory activity used to treat HPV in the presence of warts on the hands:
- Supplies with inosine. The strong antiviral effect is complemented by a stimulating effect on the immune system. Comprehensive solutions to HPV problems of different types provide an increase in the immune response and suppression of viral activity.
- Synthetic analogs of purine nucleosides. These are direct -acting drugs, their targets are viruses, including HPV. The result of treatment is a significant decrease in viral activity.
- Inducer of endogenous interferon synthesis. Its action is specific - it activates the body's defenses, triggering many immune processes. Accelerates interferon production.
- 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.
- Popular immunostimulatory medicine. The increase in the immune response leads to the fact that the virus loses its ability to integrate into healthy cells, while its population decreases significantly.
If there is a strong health deficiency, then the doctor will recommend taking a complex of vitamins and minerals to restore the nutrient balance and performance of each unit of body structure.
After comprehensive treatment of warts on the hands, patient reviews show that complex therapy has a great effect, and the recurrence percentage is much lower than with simple removal of epithelial tumors by instrumental methods without the use of antiviral and immunostimulatory drugs.
Removal of warts on the hands by instrumental methods
Removal of the affected epithelium is a mandatory procedure if the warts cause discomfort, grow rapidly and change structure, or are frequently injured. In addition, any mechanical effect on growth can trigger bleeding, the addition of secondary infections, the development of inflammatory processes. Therefore, it is highly discouraged to get rid of warts on your own hands.
There are several modern methods of instrumental removal of skin neoplasms. They are characterized by a high level of efficiency. Most of them are considered minimally invasive. Pain during the procedure is ensured by local anesthesia.
The most popular methods for instrumental destruction of warts on the hands are:
- Electrocoagulation. . . This method is great for getting rid of vulgar warts that stand out above the level of the skin, although it also helps get rid of deep epithelial neoplasms. A special device with a loop at its end synthesizes high -frequency current and simply cuts off the build. No bleeding occurred during manipulation. The resulting crust of leaves in 5-7 days. Post -electrocoagulation scars remain only after deep exposure.
- Surgical removal. . . In most cases, it is prescribed if it is necessary to take growth samples for analysis and in the presence of large lesions. Removal of warts on the hands is done using a scalpel. Healthy tissue is often cut during this procedure. After the procedure, cosmetic sutures are applied for 7-10 days. After the tissue is completely healed, the scar may remain. The cost of surgery is calculated individually for each patient.
- Laser removal. . . According to many criteria, it is considered the most successful method - the least painful sensations, high safety, the right effect on education. With the help of a laser, the wart cells on the hand burn. The remaining indentations are tightened after 2-3 weeks.
- Cryodestruction. . . Deep tissue freezing, performed within seconds, results in the death of the treated tissue. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, warts on the hands begin to become slightly pale and thicken. The tissue around it swells slightly and may turn red. After that, the body of the wart turns into a bubble that can be filled with fluid. Within a week, it subsided, and the crust remained in place. The skin recovery time from now on is about 2 weeks.
Crusts, bubbles, wounds formed as a result of the procedure should not be removed. This can lead to infection and a longer recovery time. Also, due to such actions, unattractive scars are often left.
The cost of each procedure depends on the location of the wart on the hand, the number of growths and the total area of the lesion. In addition, different clinics may offer the same services 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 visit a doctor for various reasons and seek answers to the question of how to get rid of warts on their hands at home.
To get rid of warts and fight the human papillomavirus, traditional healers use many improved means, foods and plants. However, you need to understand that the effectiveness of traditional medicine in the treatment of HPV is quite weak, so you can not rely on it, refusing to take medications and professional removal of skin growths.
In some cases, the attending physician may recommend adding traditional methods of treating warts on the hands with folk remedies. Among the tasks are the same - maintaining immunity and increasing the body's antiviral activity, normalizing the nutrient balance, as well as local antiseptic treatment.
Recipes for effective folk remedies:
- Herbal infusion. . . To cook, take 25 g of birch leaves, juniper needles, dandelion root, banana leaves, chicory root and 30 g each of nettle leaves, agine grass and horsetail grass. All ingredients are poured with boiling water in a volume of 1 liter, boiled for 10 minutes on low heat, insist for 10-12 hours. It should be taken four times a day, half a glass.
- Infusion with herbs. . . To cook, take wormwood herbs (10 g), birch buds (15 g), lemon balm herbs (20 g), thyme herbs (25 g) and juniper berries (30 g). All ingredients are mixed. For brewing, take 40 g of a mixture of herbs, pour 400-500 ml of boiling water, infuse for 1-1. 5 hours, strain and put in. The dose received is calculated for 1 day. Hand warts treatment is 2 to 5 weeks.
- Bathe your hands. . . The starting ingredients are tea tree oil (3 drops) and lemon juice (from half a fruit). Both ingredients are diluted in 2 cups of warm water. Put in the palm batter and hold for 20 minutes. After the procedure, the softened wart particles on the hand should be removed. This tool has antiviral effects, softens the skin, accelerates tissue regeneration, and fights pathogens.
- Lemon-pin mixture for warts. . . It is required to mix lemon and pine oil in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area 3-5 times a day to soften the growth, have an antiseptic effect and accelerate the regrowth of healthy tissue.
- Application for warts. . . Patchouli oil is rubbed on the bacterial patch and attached to the formation. Such applications can last for several hours. To accelerate the therapeutic effect, the procedure should be carried out 2-3 times daily until the warts on the hands disappear completely.
- Wormwood infusion. . . crushed dried grass wormwood in an amount of 60 g is poured with 250 ml of boiling water. Insist 2. 5 hours in a thermos, strainer. In the infusion, a gauze bandage is impregnated and compressions are made twice a day.
Sometimes it is practiced to get rid of warts with celandine, onion, potato juice, lemon, Kalanchoe, acetic acid.
Actual patient reviews on the treatment of warts on the hands
The choice of treatment method is the prerogative of the physician, but it would not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the possible options for HPV therapy and methods of removing the neoplasm before going to the hospital. Feedback on the treatment of warts on the hands, left on Internet forums, will help assess the effectiveness of a particular scheme in advance. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with some stories to get rid of external manifestations of HPV:
- "My son had warts on his arms. Immediately they just rubbed them with antiseptic, but when they started to grow near the nails, pain appeared. We decided to remove them in the safest and most effective way, as we were told - via radio waves. Sonmen, of course, don't complain of pain during the procedure, there's no blood. The skin recovers quickly. Then they also take interferon -based medications. Now there aren't a single wart. "
- "I got this growth all of a sudden. They were very sick. At home I tried garlic and used celandine, but didn't get any results. They had to remove it with a laser, the warts on my hands were deep, so the scars were deep. It tookit took about two weeks to heal, the scars gradually healed, but I still took antiviral pills and medicine for immunity. "
- "But the folk remedies didn't help me, they just started to get sick. I had to go to the surgeon, because a lot of this dirt had grown. It's good that even if the doctor didn't disfigure my finger badly, he sewed it up carefully. It took about a while. three weeks to recover. Now I take pills and make a decoction for skin regeneration. "
Treating warts on the hands is a responsible business. Prescribing medications and determining the best method of destruction should be done exclusively by qualified medical professionals to prevent the spread of disease and reduce the risk of infection of those around.