Warts – also called warts, are unsightly-looking lumps on the skin, characterized by an uneven surface. They are usually painless, may spread or be solitary. They are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) infection. They are very diverse: they can take different sizes and shapes, appear on different parts of the body. For this reason, it stands out:
- Normal warts— are skin-colored, usually located on the palms and fingers, 5-10 mm in size.
- Flat warts – slightly convex, with a smooth surface, linear course, a few mm in size.
- Transient warts – combine the features of the two above, they are convex, with a keratinized surface, often numerous, arranged linearly.
- Foot warts – occurring on the sole of the feet, located both shallow and deep, skin-colored, rough, 1-2 cm in size.
- Genital warts – also called venereal or sexual (sexually transmitted), flexible, with a tendency to merge and cauliflower-like growth,
- Generalized skin infection – precancerous condition, they look like flat warts, but they are spread all over the body.
Statistical data shows that up to 10% of humanity is infected with the papilloma virus. Warts are not only a cosmetic problem, but also a skin disease that should be consulted with a dermatologist. Under no circumstances should you remove them yourself, because it may cause serious complications!
There are many ways to treat this unpleasant condition. Among them are:
- Pharmacological treatment– this is the gentlest method. It is the cheapest, painless, but requires patience, because you have to wait the longest for the effects, about 6-8 weeks. Preparations containing lactic and salicylic acid are used here, which are applied directly to skin lesions. If the method turns out to be ineffective, you need to reach for other, more aggressive methods.
- Surgical removal– here comes the scalpel. The surgeon excises the warts, taking into account the margin of error, which reduces the risk of cancer. The removed fragments are subjected to histopathological examination. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. It leaves behind scars, which usually disappear after some time. Follow-up visits are necessary to check that wounds are healing properly.
- Laser removal – the most effective method for mild changes. It is less invasive than surgical incision, performed under local anesthesia. The treatment is painless, leaving only small scabs. Immediately after it, you return to normal functioning, there are no wounds, no scars, no need for dressing. The method cannot be used in the case of malignant lesions, as it excludes examination for cancerous lesions.
- Carioterapia It’s freezing with liquid nitrogen. Low temperature destroys the diseased tissue. When freezing, there is a slight discomfort due to the cold. The treatment leaves no traces, but may cause skin discoloration.
- Chemical firing – a method using chemical substances, i.e. salicylic, lactic, trichloric acids in combination with softening preparations performed by a dermatologist.