Warts on the hands are mostly benign neoplasms. The appearance of such growths is associated with an increased activity of the human papillomavirus. The disease is highly contagious and requires special complex therapy.
Causes of the appearance of warts on the hands
Warts are an unpleasant external manifestation of an infectious disease of the skin. The human papillomavirus is to blame for this.
How does HPV infection that causes the growth of warts on the hands develop:
- Contact possibility. . . Most often, infection with this pathogenic microorganism occurs through direct contact between the skin of a healthy person and an infected person. A simple handshake can be enough. It is for this reason that warts appear on the hands most often, as the hands are the body with the most contact. In addition to this possibility, when using objects and objects that the carrier has touched, the possibility of the pathogen being transmitted can be taken into account. Therefore, you can get infected from relatives at home. Sometimes the virus survives for some time on various wet surfaces such as bathrooms, changing rooms, public transport, etc.
- Auto infection. . . If a similar neoplasm has appeared on any part of the body, there is a risk of self-infection. More precisely, the spread of the virus to healthy tissue. This happens when the growths are traumatized with nails or various objects. If wound and hand hygiene is not carried out in a timely manner, an increase in the lesion can easily be provoked.
- From mother to child. . . According to this option, the child is infected during childbirth by the mother.
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 causes a different type of benign neoplasm.
HPV is highly contagious. It is difficult to avoid infection. The disease affects both men and women, both adults and children. The most common warts on the hands are children and adolescents.
From the time the virus enters the body to the appearance of the first external manifestations, it can take 1 to 6 months. Although in some cases only one carriage is observed where the warts never begin to grow. It can do this when the person's immunity is strong enough and the virus is unable to multiply and activate.
This means that HPV can wait a long time for the right moment - a significant weakening of the immune system.
Various types of psychological trauma, improper work and rest hours, substance abuse, unbalanced diet, sticking to bad habits, and adverse environmental conditions can affect the immune status in the direction of decline.
The predisposing factors for the appearance of these formations are numerous. Consider the most obvious reasons why warts appear on the hands:
- Acute and chronic diseases. . . Any disease and the lack of timely and competent treatment can significantly weaken the immune system. An increased risk of developing HPV with the development of warts on the hands is in HIV, eczema, psoriasis, etc. The risk of viruses entering the epidermis increases with the presence of even the smallest cracks in the skin.
- Individual characteristics. . . Hyperhidrosis, d. H. Increased sweating on the palms of the hands is a provoking factor, because it promotes the formation of a special pathological microflora and high humidity, which are favorable conditions for the multiplication of HPV.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules. . . It's easy to explain what causes warts on your hands without skin care. For example, dry skin can cause small cracks and irritation to form through which the virus can safely enter. It is noteworthy that infection can be prevented even after shaking hands with an infected person if it is banal to wash your hands in good time.
With strong protective functions, the body can cope with the infection on its own. In the best case scenario, recovery occurs in 2-3 months. According to statistics, this is around 20% of all cases. Sometimes, with the help of your own strength, the recovery process takes place within 2 years.
What do warts look like on hands?
Many people who have found skin neoplasms on themselves wonder how to cure warts on their hands. However, before starting treatment, make sure you have the exact warts and to do this you need to be able to distinguish these benign growths from others - corns, keratosis, lichen planus, and molluscum contagiosum.
The main difference is that warts have small blood vessels on the hands and other parts of the body. This can be understood from an accidental violation of the growth or trying to remove it yourself - bleeding of varying intensity appears.
The spectrum of colors of benign and safe warts is diverse. The growths can be flesh-colored, light yellow, light brown, gray-brown. Sometimes black dots can be observed on their surface - places of thrombosed vessels. At the same time, the coloring of neoplasms caused by the human papillomavirus in light brown, black is not typical. Any change in color should alert the person and prompt an urgent trip to the hospital to decide how to treat warts on the hands. Anxiety should also be caused by these growths, which become inflamed, festering, and grow faster.
The size of the warts varies from 1 to 10 mm. They are formed individually or in groups of several. With a very weak immune response, neoplasmic tissues grow quickly. Individual growths can grow together.
Any type of warts provokes hyperkeratosis - excessive thickening of the upper layer of the epidermis. Therefore, such growths are easy to feel, they stand out clearly against the background of healthy cells with a coarser and more solid structure.
The most common two types of warts appear on the hands:
- Common warts. . . They are also called vulgar. A popular place for this type of neoplasm is on the hands. Easily spread over the skin of the face. The color is flesh-colored, yellow-brown or grayish. Blackheads can often be seen on such warts. The growths are keratinized eminences over the skin. In shape, such warts on the hands resemble a nodule or a convex papule. Their structure is dense, the surface is uneven with small villi, characterized by increased tissue dryness. The size is usually 2 to 7 mm in diameter. Most of the time, they don't cause pain.
- Superficial flat warts. . . Another name is teen. The back of the hand is often affected. Color - from pale yellow to brown. In appearance, they resemble flat nodules of a round or irregular shape. The size is 3-4 mm. Practically not above the skin.
- Flat warts are deep. . . The second type of flat warts. Representatives of this type grow inward. They are very specific formations. Also irregular in shape, from pale yellow to brown in color. Not particularly above the skin, but within the outer surface of the build-up there is a slight indentation towards the center. The size of a single neoplasm is 3-4 mm. Most often, it is the deep warts on the hands that require treatment. they usually deliver 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, which spoil their appearance, because the hands are almost always in sight. For this reason, even without pain and dangerous changes in the structure of such growths, it is advisable to go to the hospital and find out how to remove the warts on the hands.
Ways to treat hand warts
Clarification of the causes of warts on the hands and treatment should be carried out by a qualified doctor who not only has knowledge and experience, but also has all possible tools to make a diagnosis. With the help of laboratory tests, the type of human papillomavirus, viral load is determined and the risks of developing adverse consequences are assessed. Based on the results, complex therapy is prescribed, which includes not only taking drugs, but also the instrumental removal of dangerous neoplasms. Self-medication can very often lead to a lack of therapeutic effect or the development of complications.
Treatment of warts on the hands with medication
A dermatologist is engaged in treating warts on the hands. Its main role is to suppress the activity of the virus and prevent the infection from spreading. To do this, antiviral drugs are used both for external use and for oral administration.
The most popular means of treating hand warts are:
- Ointments for disinfecting and fighting the virus. . . Topical treatment can reduce the spread of the infection through the skin, thereby reducing the risk of infection to others. Many drugs effectively suppress the activity of the virus and slow down the uncontrolled growth of neoplasms. They also contribute to the rapid healing of skin lesions, relieve inflammation.
- External means of destroying growths. . . Active ingredients act aggressively on growth cells, promote their destruction and provoke the complete elimination of warts on hands and other parts of the body. Their use is desirable within the walls of a medical facility in order to avoid undesirable consequences in the form of injury to healthy tissue. Separately, we can note the spray with dimethyl ether and propane. The drug works on the principle of cryodestruction, effectively removing epithelial tumors caused by HPV.
It should be noted that currently no specific drug against the human papillomavirus has been found. However, there are drugs that can reduce virus activity and stop warts from growing on hands, feet, and other parts of the body. Therefore, in a separate column, it is worth highlighting drugs that are intended for oral administration. They actively stimulate the immune system, support the body in the formation of special immune cells and can also develop a visible antiviral effect.
Popular drugs with antiviral and immune stimulating effects for the treatment of HPV for warts on the hands:
- A preparation with inosine. The strong antiviral effect is complemented by a stimulating effect on the immune system. A comprehensive solution to the HPV problem of various strains offers an increase in the immune response and a suppression of virus activity.
- Synthetic analogue of purine nucleoside. This is a direct-acting drug that targets viruses, including HPV. The result of treatment is a visible decrease in virus activity.
- Inducer of the synthesis of endogenous interferons. The effect is specific - it activates the body's defenses and triggers numerous immune processes. Accelerates the production of interferon.
- Preparation with meglumine acridone acetate. Increases the body's resistance to the effects of HPV. Reduces the viral load and stops the growth of warts on the hands.
- Popular immune stimulating medicine. An increase in the immune response causes the virus to lose its ability to integrate into healthy cells, while its population is significantly reduced.
In the case of severe health problems, the doctor recommends the intake of vitamin and mineral complexes in order to restore the nutrient balance and the performance of every structural unit of the body.
After extensive treatment of warts on the hands, patient reviews show that complex therapy has a great effect, and the percentage of relapses is much lower than with the simple removal of epithelial tumors by instrumental methods without the use of antiviral and immunostimulatory drugs.
Removal of warts on the hands using instrumental methods
Removal of the affected epithelium is mandatory if the warts cause discomfort, grow rapidly and change structure, or are frequently injured. In addition, any mechanical action on the growths can provoke bleeding, the addition of a secondary infection and the development of the inflammatory process. For this reason, it is strongly advised not to remove warts on your hands yourself.
There are a number of modern methods of instrumental removal of skin neoplasms. They are characterized by a high degree of efficiency. Most of them are considered to be minimally invasive. Local anesthesia ensures that there is no pain during the procedure.
The most popular methods of instrumental destruction of warts on the hands are:
- Electrocoagulation. . . This method is great for removing vulgar warts that protrude above the skin, although it also helps get rid of deep epithelial neoplasms. A special device with a loop at the end synthesizes high-frequency electricity and simply cuts off the structure. There is no bleeding during the manipulation. The resulting crust leaves within 5-7 days. A scar after electrocoagulation remains only after deep exposure.
- Surgical excision. . . In most cases, it is prescribed when it is necessary to collect a sample of the growth for analysis and in the presence of a large lesion. Removal of warts on the hands is carried out with a surgical scalpel. Often, healthy tissue is cut out. Cosmetic sutures are applied for 7-10 days after the procedure. After the tissue has completely healed, scars may remain. The cost of the operation is calculated individually for each patient.
- Laser removal. . . According to many criteria, it is considered the most successful method - a minimum of painful sensations, high security, an accurate effect on education. With the help of a laser, the cells of the wart on the hands are burned out. The remaining indentations are redrawn after 2-3 weeks.
- Cryodestruction. . . The deep freezing of tissues carried out in a matter of seconds provokes the death of the treated tissue. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, the wart on the hands begins to slightly pale and thicken. The tissue around him swells slightly and can turn red. After that, the wart body turns into a bladder that can fill with fluid. Within a week it will decrease and a crust will remain in its place. From this point on, the skin's recovery time is approx. 2 weeks.
The crusts, blisters, wounds created by the interventions should never be torn off. This can lead to infection and a longer recovery time. In addition, unsightly scars are often left as a result of such actions.
The cost of each procedure depends on the location of the warts on the hands, 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 staff.
Treatment of warts on the hands with folk remedies
Many people refuse to see a doctor for various reasons and are looking for an answer 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 improvised remedies, foods, and plants. However, you need to understand that traditional medicine is rather weak in treating HPV. So, you should not rely on it, take medication and professionally remove skin growths.
In some cases, the attending physician may recommend adding folk remedies to traditional methods of treating warts on the hands. Its tasks include the same - maintaining immunity and increasing the body's antiviral activity, normalizing the balance of nutrients, as well as providing local antiseptic treatment.
Recipes for effective folk remedies:
- Herbal infusion. . . For cooking, take 25 g of birch leaves, juniper needles, dandelion root, plantain leaf, 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 on low heat for 10 minutes and insisted for 10-12 hours. Half a glass should be taken four times a day.
- Herbal infusion. . . For cooking, use wormwood (10 g), birch buds (15 g), lemon balm (20 g), 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, leave for 1-1, 5 hours, filter and take in. The dose received is calculated for 1 day. Treatment for hand warts takes 2 to 5 weeks.
- Hand baths. . . The starting material is tea tree oil (3 drops) and lemon juice (from half of the fruit). Both ingredients are diluted in 2 cups of warm water. Add to 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 and pine mixture against warts. . . It is necessary to mix lemon and pine oils in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected areas 3-5 times a day to soften growth, have an antiseptic effect and accelerate the regeneration of healthy tissues.
- Uses for warts. . . Patchouli oil is applied to a bactericidal plaster and attached over the structure. Such applications can take several hours. To accelerate the therapeutic effect, the procedure should be carried out 2-3 times a day until the wart on the hands completely disappears.
- 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, filter. During the infusion, a gauze bandage is impregnated and compresses are made twice a day.
Sometimes it is practiced to remove warts with celandine, onions, potato juice, lemon, kalanchoe, acetic acid.
Real patient reviews about treating warts on hands
The choice of treatment methods is at the discretion of the doctor, but it is not superfluous to familiarize yourself with the possible options of HPV therapy and the methods of removing neoplasms before going to hospital. Feedback on the treatment of warts on the hands left on internet forums will help to tentatively evaluate the effectiveness of a particular program. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with some stories about how to get rid of the external manifestations of HPV:
- "My child has warts on his arms. Immediately they just smeared it with an antiseptic, but when they began to grow near the nails, there was pain. We chose to remove it in the safest and most effective way we were told - by radio waves. The son actually did not complain of pain during the procedure, there was no blood. The skin recovered very quickly. Then they also took an interferon-based drug. Now there isn't a single wart. "
- "I got these growths kind of suddenly. They were very sick. At home I tried garlic and applied celandine, but got no result. They had to remove them with a laser, the warts on my hands were deep so the scars were deep. It took about two weeks for them to heal, the scars are starting to heal, but I still drink antiviral pills and some immunity medication.
- "But folk remedies didn't help me, they just left a wound. I had to go to the surgeon because a lot of this dirt had grown. It is good that the doctor did not disfigure my fingers badly, but carefully sutured them up. It took about three weeks to recover. Now I take pills and make decoctions for skin regeneration. "
Treating warts on hands is a responsible business. Prescribing medication and determining the best method of destruction should only be done by a qualified medical professional to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the risk of infection to surrounding people.