The human papillomavirus is the second most common virus after the herpesvirus family. Almost everyone has been affected by it at some point, and many are asymptomatic carriers. However, not everyone gets papillomas, warts and other manifestations of it. In the article we will tell you which factors influence the appearance of papillomas and how you can effectively combat them with the help of medication.
Causes of papillomas
The papilloma virus does not always manage to become active; a healthy immune system successfully suppresses the infection. However, once protection is weakened, HPV can multiply, leading to uncontrolled division of epidermal cells. Most often, warts and papillomas appear on the skin in the following groups of people:
- children and adolescents whose immunity is still incomplete;
- pregnant women due to the natural immunosuppression necessary for bearing a child;
- older people;
- smokers and regular alcohol drinkers;
- obese;
- Patients with diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases;
- Patients with immunodeficiency, including HIV;
- those who have undergone treatment with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatics.
Strategy to combat papillomas
Treatment of papillomas should be comprehensive. It covers several areas:
- removal of tumors;
- Immunomodulatory treatment as needed;
- General health improvement, lifestyle optimization.
Modern pharmacology, which offers many drugs for the treatment of papillomatosis, copes quite successfully with the first two points.
Preparations for self-removal of papillomas
Doctors strongly advise against removing papillomas at home; they make several arguments:
- It is difficult for a layperson to distinguish a papilloma or wart from other hyperplasias. This requires a biopsy, after which the resulting microsample is examined under high magnification;
- To remove papillomas, doctors use modern effective methods (cryodestruction, laser, radioknife, electrocoagulation) that are not available to ordinary people;
- Home chemicals can cause burns and scars if used carelessly.
However, pharmacies today offer many products for removing skin tumors. Here is a list of the most common ones.
An effective drug with mummifying and cauterizing effects. Its basis is phenol and 3-methylphenol - substances that coagulate proteins. The product is available as an oily solution in a glass bottle. There is an applicator attached to the lid. The drug is inexpensive, the bottle is enough to remove a large number of tumors.
For small papillomas, thread-like or stalked, one application is enough. If the wart is old, calloused or dry, it is recommended to first soften the keratin layer with a plaster containing salicylic acid or salicylic ointment and only then apply the solution. Apply it to large old formations several times with a break of 3-5 minutes.
Important!
Removal of papillomas and condylomas on mucous membranes is prohibited with this drug. This is dangerous for your health!
The drug is allowed to be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women (on the recommendation of a doctor).
A preparation based on acids – nitric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid. The costs are higher than the previous product.
The medicine has a drying and necrotizing effect on warts. Available in the form of a solution. After application, the growths change color and fall off after a few days; A crust forms at this point, which cannot be torn off, otherwise a scar may remain. The skin has to heal itself. Areas of application – all vulgar and flat warts, condylomas.
Important!
The medication should not be used on the face or anogenital area - the burning sensation may be too severe and there is a risk of acid getting into the eyes or mucous membranes!
It is recommended to use the drug to remove no more than three warts at a time, with a total area of up to 3 cm². Pregnant and breastfeeding women are allowed to use the drug only as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision - in the manipulation room of a clinic or hospital.
In addition to this remedy, pharmacies sometimes sell another drug based on acids (lactic and salicylic acid). The principle of use, indications and contraindications are the same.
For those who do not want to burn warts with concentrated acids and chemicals, another method has been invented - freezing. This is an aerosol that contains dimethyl ether and propane.
The drug effectively helps against all types of common warts, including plantar warts and thread-like and flat warts. There are practically no usage restrictions. The product can be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children over 4 years old as it does not contain toxic components.
The aerosol is applied using a special disposable foam applicator to deliver the ether exactly to the desired location. The product is sprayed for 10-20 seconds (depending on the size of the wart or papilloma). Fresh small formations disappear after one application; large and old ones may be required 2-4 times.
This is an easy to use and safe product developed by a Japanese company. The only disadvantage is the high price. The bottle is enough to treat 5-8 warts or 12 small papillomas.
There is an alternative to the current drug, this time made in Ireland. And the cost is slightly lower. Indications, contraindications and method of use are the same.
Immunomodulatory treatment
Drug treatment of papillomas involves suppressing the activity of the HPV virus in order to prevent the appearance of new formations in place of the removed ones. For this purpose, antiviral and immunomodulating drugs are used, which are taken in parallel with measures to remove papillomas and warts, as well as means of local treatment.
A drug commonly prescribed by doctors that suppresses HPV. Stimulates the synthesis of killer and helper cells, the production of interleukin-2, increases the activity of monocytes and nuclear cells. All of this contributes to suppressing the replication (reproduction) of viruses in cells.
The tablets are taken orally 2 times a day at regular intervals. The duration of treatment is two weeks. Then take a break for the same period and repeat the treatment.
The drug gives the best results in the early stages, when tumors have just appeared. It is then possible to suppress the virus quickly and effectively. The product is suitable for children aged 3 and over. For them, the dosage is calculated by weight – 50 mcg/kg. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are a contraindication to the use of the drug.
The solution is administered intravenously or rectally in the form of suppositories. Its basis is a plant polysaccharide that stimulates the production of its own interferons and suppresses the replication of the virus. The costs are quite high. 5 ampoules are enough for one treatment.
In addition to injections, a gel is applied to the skin after tumors are removed. With such complex treatment it is possible to avoid the appearance of new papillomas in 95% of cases.
Cream with immunomodulatory effects. Apply to the skin three times a week for 8-10 hours (at night) until the desired result is achieved. According to user reviews, the drug is effective against filiform papillomas, senile keratomas, condylomas and other defects.
The drug is not suitable for children under 18 years of age and breastfeeding women. Consultation with a doctor is necessary during pregnancy.
A product based on interferon alpha-2b in the form of a gel, ointment or cream is suitable for all categories, including expectant mothers and infants. The drug is non-toxic and practically does not cause side effects. It is applied to skin tumors three times a day for a period of 2 weeks to a month. The price is low.
The drug contains affinity-purified antibodies against human interferon in homeopathic dilutions. In general, doctors are skeptical about homeopathy and therefore rarely prescribe it. But the product also has advantages: non-toxic, child-friendly dosage, affordable price. It is recommended to take this medication not individually, but as part of complex therapy.
Effective interferon inducer. Available in tablets with a dosage of 1 and 10 mg. The first is prescribed for children and people over 65 years old, the second for adults, except pregnant and breastfeeding women.
It is recommended to take the medication every hour - with equal breaks so that its effectiveness is maximum. Course – 10 days. Tablets of 1 mg are taken three times a day, 10 mg once.
The drug is completely non-toxic, well tolerated and can be combined with other medications.
Personal reviews of drugs for the treatment of papillomas
- "I removed small papillomas on my neck in the salon, but a year later they appeared again. It was a shame to spend so much money a second time. To try it out, I bought an aerosol based on dimethyl ether and propane. At first I was afraid that nothing would work out, after applying I had to wait 10 days. During this time, I almost forgot that I was removing the papillomas, but one day I got out of the shower and they were gone - my throat was clean. "
- "I tried several times to remove warts on my hands with acetic acid. It was very painful, but the warts disappeared. True, then new ones grew in the same place. Apparently the acid doesn't burn out completely. The doctor recommended a phenol-based cauterizing medication. I used it for a week, the warts turned completely white, fell off and never appeared again. "