Warts on the hands are mostly benign neoplasms. The appearance of such growths is associated with increased activity of the human papillomavirus. The disease is highly contagious and requires special complex therapy.
Causes of warts on hands
Warts are an unpleasant external manifestation of an infectious disease of the skin. The culprit is the human papillomavirus.
How HPV infection occurs, which provokes the growth of warts on the hands:
- Contact method. . . Most often, infection with these pathogenic microorganisms occurs through direct contact between the skin of a healthy person and an infected person. A simple handshake might suffice. Therefore, the most common occurrence is the appearance of warts on the hands, because the hands are the body parts that touch the most. In addition to this option, it is possible to note the possible transmission of pathogens when using objects and objects that have been touched by the carrier of the disease. Therefore, you can catch it from relatives at home. Sometimes the virus persists for some time on various wet surfaces, for example in bathrooms, changing rooms, public transportation, etc.
- Automatic infection. . . If a similar neoplasm has appeared in one part of the body, then there is a risk of self-infection. More precisely, the spread of the virus to healthy tissue. It occurs when the growth is traumatized by a nail or various objects. If the hygiene of the wound and hands is not carried out in a timely manner, then an increase in the lesion can be easily provoked.
- From mother to child. . . According to this option, infection of the child occurs from the mother during childbirth.
It should be noted that sexual contact with a virus carrier is rarely the cause of the appearance of warts on the hands. This mode of transmission often causes other types of benign neoplasms.
HPV is highly contagious. It is difficult to avoid infection. This disease affects both men and women, both adults and children. Most 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 carriage is observed, in which the wart never begins to grow. This is possible if the person's immunity is strong enough and does not allow the virus to multiply and be active.
Thus, HPV can wait a long time for the right moment - a significant weakening of the immune system.
Various kinds of mental trauma, improper work and rest patterns, drug abuse, unbalanced diet, adherence to bad habits and unfavorable environmental conditions can affect the immune status towards its decline.
Predisposing factors for the appearance of this formation are numerous, 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 with the development of warts on the hands is with HIV, eczema, psoriasis, etc. The risk of penetration of the virus into the epidermis increases with the presence of the smallest cracks in the skin.
- Individual characteristics. . . Hyperhidrosis, that is, increased sweating of the palms is a provoking factor, as it promotes the formation of a special pathological microflora and high humidity, which are favorable conditions for the reproduction of HPV.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules. . . Explaining what causes warts on your hands without skin care is quite simple. For example, dry skin can provoke the formation of small cracks and irritation, through which the virus can safely penetrate. It is noteworthy that infection can be prevented even after shaking hands with an infected person, if it is superficial to wash hands in a timely manner.
With a strong protective function, the body can overcome 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 one's own strength occurs within 2 years.
What do the warts on your hands look like?
Many people, having discovered skin neoplasms on themselves, are wondering how to cure warts on their hands. However, before starting treatment, you must ensure that you have the right wart, and for this you must be able to distinguish these benign growths 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 accidentally injuring the growth or when trying to remove it yourself - bleeding of varying intensity occurs.
The color spectrum of benign and safe warts varies. Growths can be flesh colored, light yellow, light brown, gray brown. Sometimes on its surface can be observed black dots - places of ruptured blood vessels. At the same time, the staining of neoplasms caused by the human papillomavirus in bright brown, black is not characteristic. Any discoloration should alert the person and call for an emergency trip to the hospital to determine how to treat the warts on the hands. The fear must also be caused by the growth becoming inflamed, festering and starting to grow at an accelerated rate.
The size of the warts varies from 1 to 10 mm. They are singular or formed in groups of several. With a very weak immune response, neoplastic tissue grows rapidly. Individual growth can grow with each other.
All types of warts provoke hyperkeratosis - excessive thickening of the upper layers of the epidermis. That is why such growths can be easily felt, they stand out clearly against the background of healthy cells of a coarser and denser structure.
Most often, two types of warts appear on the hands:
- common warts. . . They are also called vulgar. The favorite place for this type of neoplasm is the hands. Can be easily spread to facial skin. The color is flesh, yellow-brown or grayish. It is in such warts that comedones are often seen. The growths are keratinized protrusions above the skin. In shape, such warts on the hands resemble domed nodules or papules. The structure is dense, the surface is uneven with small villi, characterized by increased dryness of the tissues. The size is usually 2 to 7 mm in diameter. Most often they are painless.
- Superficial flat wart. . . Another name is ageless. The back of the hand is often affected. Color - from pale yellow to brown. In appearance, they resemble flat nodules of round or irregular shape. The size is 3-4mm. Practically does not protrude above the skin.
- Flat warts are deep. . . The second type of wart is flat. Representatives of this species grow inward. They are very specific formations. Also has an irregular shape, color from pale yellow to brown. It doesn't protrude very much against the skin, but within the outer surface of the buildup there is a slight indentation towards the center. The size of a single neoplasm is 3-4 mm. Most often, it is deep warts on the hands that require treatment. they, as a rule, give off rather strong painful sensations.
Warts are a source of infection. At the same time, they bring great physical discomfort to their owner and form complexes in him, shame about their appearance, because hands are almost always visible. Therefore, even in the absence of pain and harmful changes in the structure of such a growth, it is recommended to go to the hospital and find out how to get rid of warts on the hands.
How 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 knowledge and experience, but also all kinds of tools for making a diagnosis. So, with the help of laboratory tests, the type of human papillomavirus, 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 the drug, but also instrumentally eliminating the neoplasm, which is dangerous. Self-medication can often lead to a lack of therapeutic effect or the development of complications.
Treatment of warts on hands with drugs
A dermatologist treats warts on hands. Its main task is to suppress the activity of the virus and prevent the spread of infection. For this, antiviral drugs are used both 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, thereby reducing the risk of infection in other people. Many drugs effectively suppress the activity of the virus, slowing the uncontrolled growth of neoplasms. They also contribute to the rapid healing of skin lesions, relieve inflammation.
- External means for the destruction of growth. . . The active substance has an aggressive effect on growth cells, promotes their destruction and provokes 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 note sprays with dimethyl ether and propane. This drug works on the principle of cryodestruction and effectively removes epithelial tumors caused by HPV.
It should be noted that currently no specific drug has been found against the human papillomavirus. However, there are medications that can reduce the activity of the virus and stop the growth of warts on the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. So, in a separate column it 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 immunostimulating activity used to treat HPV in the presence of warts on the hands:
- Preparations with inosine. The strong antiviral effect is complemented by a stimulating effect on the immune system. A comprehensive solution to the problem of HPV from different strains provides enhanced immune response and suppression of viral activity.
- Purine nucleoside synthetic analogue. These are drugs that act directly, targeting viruses, including HPV. The result of treatment is a noticeable decrease in viral activity.
- Inductor of endogenous interferon synthesis. Its action is specific - it activates the body's defenses, triggers many immune processes. Accelerates interferon production.
- Preparations with meglumine acridone acetate. Increase the body's resistance to the effects of HPV. Reduces viral load and stops the growth of warts on hands.
- Popular immunostimulating drug. An increase in the immune response leads to the fact that the virus loses its ability to integrate into healthy cells, while its population is significantly reduced.
If there is a strong weakening of health, then the doctor will recommend taking a complex of vitamins and minerals to restore the nutritional balance and the performance of each structural unit of the body.
After comprehensive treatment of warts on the hands, patient reviews show that complex therapy has a great effect, and the percentage of recurrence is much lower than with the removal of simple epithelial tumors by instrumental methods without the use of antiviral drugs and immunostimulants.
Removing warts on hands with instrumental methods
Removal of the affected epithelium is a mandatory procedure if the wart causes discomfort, grows rapidly and changes its structure, or is frequently injured. In addition, any mechanical effect on growth can provoke bleeding, the addition of a secondary infection, the development of the inflammatory process. Therefore, it is not recommended to remove warts on your own hands.
There are a number of modern methods for 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 confirmed with local anesthesia.
The most popular methods for the destruction of warts on the hands are:
- Electrocoagulation. . . This method is great for removing vulgar warts that protrude above the skin's surface, although it also helps to get rid of deep epithelial neoplasms. A special device with a loop at the end synthesizes high-frequency currents and cuts only build-up. No bleeding occurred during the manipulation. The resulting crust will disappear within 5-7 days. Scars after electrocoagulation remain only after deep exposure.
- Surgical excision. . . In most cases, it is determined if it is necessary to take a growth sample for analysis and in the presence of a large lesion. The removal of warts on the hands is carried out using a scalpel. Healthy tissue is often cut during this procedure. After the procedure, cosmetic sutures are applied for 7-10 days. Once the tissue has completely healed, a scar may remain. The operating costs are calculated individually for each patient.
- Laser removal. . . According to many criteria, this is considered the most successful method - minimum pain sensation, high safety, accurate effect on education. With the help of a laser, the wart cells on the hands will be burned away. The remaining indentations are tightened after 2-3 weeks.
- Krio Destruction. . . Deep tissue freezing, performed within seconds, triggers the death of the treated tissue. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, the warts on the hands begin to turn slightly pale and thicken. The surrounding tissue is slightly swollen and may turn red. After that, the wart's body turns into a bubble that can be filled with fluid. Within a week, it reduces, and the crust stays in place. The skin recovery time from this point is about 2 weeks.
Crusts, bubbles, wounds formed as a result of the procedure should not be torn. This can lead to infection and longer recovery times. Also, due to such actions, unattractive scars are often left behind.
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 service at different prices, depending on the type of equipment used and the qualifications of the medical personnel.
Treatment of warts on hands with traditional medicine
Many people refuse to visit a doctor for various reasons and are looking for answers to the question of how to get rid of warts on hands at home.
To get rid of warts and fight the human papillomavirus, herbalists use many improvised means, foods and plants. However, you need to understand that the effectiveness of folk remedies in the treatment of HPV is rather weak, so you should not rely on them, refuse to take medication and professionally remove skin growths.
In some cases, the attending physician may recommend supplementing traditional methods of treating warts on the hands with folk remedies. Among its tasks are the same - maintaining immunity and increasing the body's antiviral activity, normalizing the balance of nutrients, as well as local antiseptic treatment.
Recipes for effective folk remedies:
- herbal infusion. . . For cooking, take 25 g of birch leaves, juniper needles, dandelion root, plantain leaves, chicory root and 30 g each of nettle leaf, agin grass and horsetail grass. All ingredients are poured with boiling water in a volume of 1 liter, boiled for 10 minutes over low heat, insist for 10-12 hours. It should be taken four times a day, half a glass.
- Infusion with herbs. . . For cooking, take herbs of wormwood (10 g), birch buds (15 g), herbs of lemon balm (20 g), herbs of thyme (25 g) and juniper berries (30 g). All ingredients are mixed. For brewing, take 40 g of the herbal mixture, pour 400-500 ml of boiling water, infuse for 1-1, 5 hours, strain and take in it. The dose received is calculated for 1 day. Treatment of hand warts is 2 to 5 weeks.
- Hand shower. . . 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. Place in palm mixture and hold for 20 minutes. After the procedure, the softened wart particles on the hands should be removed. The tool has an antiviral effect, softens the skin, accelerates tissue regeneration, and fights pathogens.
- Lemon-pine mixture for warts. . . It is necessary to mix lemon and pine oils in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area 3-5 times a day to soften the growth, has an antiseptic effect and accelerates the regeneration of healthy tissues.
- Application for warts. . . Patchouli oil is applied to the bactericidal patch and applied over the buildup. Such applications can last for several hours. To accelerate the therapeutic effect, the procedure should be carried out 2-3 times every day until the warts on the hands disappear completely.
- Wormwood infusion. . . Crushed dry grass wormwood in a volume of 60 g is poured with 250 ml of boiling water. Insist 2, 5 hours in a thermos, strain. In the infusion, gauze bandages are impregnated and compresses are applied twice a day.
It is sometimes practiced to remove warts with celandine, onions, potato juice, lemon, Kalanchoe, acetic acid.
Reviews of real patients on the treatment of warts on hands
The choice of treatment method is the doctor's prerogative, but it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with possible options for HPV therapy and methods of removing neoplasms before going to the hospital. Feedback on the treatment of warts on the hands, left on Internet forums, will help to assess the effectiveness of certain schemes in advance. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with several stories about how to get rid of the external manifestations of HPV:
- "My son has warts on his arm. Immediately they just smeared it with antiseptic, but when they started growing near the nail, 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 also took interferon-based medicine. Now there is not a single wart. "
- "I got these growths somehow suddenly. They were very sick. At home I tried garlic and applied celandine, but didn't get any results. They had to remove it with a laser, the wart on my hand was deep, so the scar was deep. It took time. about two weeks to heal, the scar is gradually healing, but I am still taking antiviral pills and medicine for immunity. "
- "But traditional medicine didn't help me, they just started to hurt. I had to go to the surgeon, because a lot of this dirt had grown. It's good that even though the doctor didn't seriously damage my finger, he carefully stitched it up. It took about three weeks to heal. recovered. Now I take pills and make potions for skin regeneration. "
Treating warts on hands is a responsible business. Prescribing drugs and determining the best method of extermination should be carried out exclusively by a qualified medical professional to prevent the spread of disease and reduce the risk of infection to those around him.