The main causes and treatment methods for warts on the hands

Warts are small growths of a viral nature that can appear anywhere on the skin. Often, neoplasms form on the hands, which indicates violations in the body and brings constant discomfort to the carrier of the pathology.

It is impossible to leave the disease unattended, so it is important to identify the causes of growths in a timely manner and start treatment.

Features of the pathology

Warts on the hands are dense benign neoplasms of light brown, gray or beige color, resulting from the impact of the papillomavirus on the human body. Growths are localized on the outer and inner parts of the hand, palms, skin in the nails, fingers, and also in the forearm area.

Recognizing a wart is quite simple, since the seal has its own characteristics. These include:

• round shape;
• small size (2–10 mm);
• slight elevation above the skin;
• lack of skin pattern;
• rough surface;
• no pain on pressure.

The formation of warts occurs at any age, but most often the formations appear in young children due to the increased number of injuries received.

Formation types (normal, dry)

There are several types of neoplasms on the hands:

1. Ordinary or vulgar – dry growths of various sizes with a keratinized surface. They cover the fingers, do not cause discomfort and have a yellowish tint. The patient may experience both single seals and clusters of warts.
2. Flat – appear on the back of the hands, have a smooth surface and slightly protrude above the skin. The shade of flat formations varies from light brown to pale pink. Often occurs during adolescence or during pregnancy.
3. Spines are dense round growths, in the center of which there is a small papilla. They are beige plaques with smooth edges and a dry, rough surface. Localized on the palms and fingers.

Causes and symptoms

The decrease in the protective functions of the body is one of the main reasons that contribute to the activation of the papillomavirus that has entered the body after contact with a carrier of the disease or using common objects with an infected person. However, other factors also affect the appearance of warty growths on the hands:

• deficiency of vitamins and minerals, malnutrition;
• non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
• regular damage to the skin;
• hypothermia;
• hormonal imbalance and other endocrine pathologies;
• physical exhaustion of the body;
• living in areas with difficult environmental conditions;
• the presence of a parasitic invasion;
• long-term use of potent drugs;
• undergoing a course of chemotherapy;
• stressful situations and high loads;
• alcohol abuse;
• disorderly intimate life;
• vascular disease;
• excessive dryness of the skin or excessive sweating.

The incubation period of the disease lasts from two weeks to several years, so the problem can be latent for a long time. It will be possible to identify pathology at an early stage by such signs as:

• the formation of small seals on the fingers and hands in the form of tubercles with a smooth or rough surface;
• itching of the affected areas;
• bleeding in case of accidental trauma to the neoplasm or an attempt to cut off the growth on its own.

Why are neoplasms on the finger dangerous?

According to experts, warts are benign and do not pose a danger to human health and life.

It is not necessary to remove lumps that do not bring discomfort, as they often disappear without the use of medications or other therapies. However, warty growths on the hands and fingers are most susceptible to damage, which provokes rapid growth and an increase in the number of papilloma.

When injured, neoplasms can bleed, and sometimes degenerate into malignant tumors. For this reason, many patients prefer to get rid of the problem surgically, protecting themselves from the development of complications.

Methods for determining

The symptoms of the papilloma virus are very specific, but not every person can determine the presence of pathology. When trying to make a self-diagnosis, carriers of the disease often confuse warts with moles, melanomas, acne, calluses, or molluscum contagiosum. Such a delusion leads to undesirable consequences, so it is important to understand how to recognize a warty growth.

First of all, you should pay attention to the color and surface of the neoplasm. Typically, the seal has a light shade and a rough, bumpy surface. A characteristic difference is also considered the appearance of black or dark red blotches in the center of the wart.

Health monitoring is another way to determine the origin of growths that have appeared on the hands. If a dense formation has formed against the background of a decrease in immunity, most likely the problem is the penetration of the papillomavirus into the body.

When to See a Doctor

When seals appear, you should not postpone a visit to a dermatologist, as a specialist will be able to distinguish warts from other skin diseases and prescribe the necessary treatment. In addition, it is worth seeking qualified help in the following cases:

• change in color and increase in the size of the build-up;
• rapid reproduction of tubercles;
• bleeding;
• the appearance of pain when pressed.

Diagnostic methods

A full diagnosis of pathology includes studying the patient’s medical history, undergoing a visual examination and instrumental examination. Also, a dermatologist can prescribe a tissue scraping of growths, histology and restriction analysis, after which he will establish an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment and removal of HPV

After making a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a complex therapy that will help eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

For the quick and effective treatment of warts on the hands, medicines, folk remedies and radical methods for removing growths are used to guarantee the desired result.

How to cure with medication?

For the treatment of neoplasms, the carrier of the virus is prescribed keratolytic, immunostimulating, antiviral and necrotizing agents.

Solcoderm

An acid-based drug that has a toxic effect on the cells of warty growths. Under the influence of the drug, the affected tissue is dehydrated, acquires a dark brown hue and exfoliates after a while.

Supercleaner

A strong alkaline agent designed for the chemical removal of papilloma. The active substances that make up the therapeutic fluid create a chemical burn on the skin and eliminate neoplasms of any density, and new ones gradually grow in place of the deformed cells.

Verrukacid

An antiseptic solution that provokes the death of tissue growths on the hands. The drug paralyzes the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms, mummifies pathological cells, promotes exfoliation of the affected area of ​​the epidermis and stimulates the growth of healthy cells.

The agent is applied pointwise with a wooden stick or a special applicator, without affecting healthy areas of the skin and mucous membranes.

duofilm

Solution for external use, which has a cauterizing effect. The main components of the drug are salicylic and lactic acids, which cause the death of infected cells.

Due to the liquid collodion in the composition of the product, it has an antiseptic and wound-healing effect, which significantly accelerates the process of tissue regeneration and prevents pathogenic bacteria from entering the wound.

Kollomak

A cauterizing drug that provides detachment of warts from the skin. Getting on the skin, the acids in the composition of the drug cause a burning sensation, however, the presence of an anesthetic component makes the use of the drug more comfortable.

Cycloferon

Immunomodulatory agent that increases the body’s resistance. The drug stimulates the production of interferon, normalizes the indicators of cellular immunity and eliminates the manifestations of papillomavirus.

Folk remedies

With the help of effective traditional medicine recipes, you can speed up the healing process, but they should be used with caution, as some components can cause a severe allergic reaction.

Sagebrush

Pour one tablespoon of wormwood seeds with olive oil. Close the container tightly with a lid and put in a cold place for 3 days. Ready tool to treat warts on the hands  3-4 times a day.

Lemon

Lemon against neoplasms is used as a solution for rubbing and compresses. You should use one of the following options:

• Squeeze the juice from half a lemon and carefully burn the growth  with a cotton swab. Repeat the procedure every 4 hours;
• mix lemon juice with water in a ratio of 1:2, soak gauze or a cotton pad with liquid and apply to the seals for 10-15 minutes during the week.

Apples

Peel and pit one sour green apple, grate it on a fine grater and squeeze out the juice. Wipe papillomas in the morning and evening with freshly squeezed apple juice. If burning or itching occurs, wash off the product with warm water.

Essential oils

Mix five drops of natural essential oil of tea tree, eucalyptus or lemon with 50 ml of warm water. Apply to warts twice a day.

Potato

Peel a small potato tuber, chop with a blender or grate. Squeeze out the resulting slurry and use potato juice for spot application or compresses. The procedure is best done before going to bed for two weeks.

Chamomile

Pour 400 ml of water into a saucepan, add 3 tablespoons of a dry plant, mix and put on a slow fire. Bring the mixture to a boil, boil for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Cool, strain through a sieve and rub hands 2-3 times a day.

Acetic essence

Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with 50 ml of water. Apply to the areas affected by neoplasms for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse with water. Processing is done twice a day.

Onion

Peel a medium-sized onion, grate or finely chop with a knife. Wrap part of the finished gruel in gauze and apply to the warts for 5 minutes. You can also squeeze the juice from the bulb and treat the growths with a soaked cotton pad.

If desired, mix chopped onions with two tablespoons of olive oil and lubricate dense formations 2 times a day.

Garlic

Cut the garlic into thin slices and apply to the papillomas for 10 minutes. The procedure is recommended to be carried out once a day.

Celandine

Pour a tablespoon of dried celandine with a glass of boiling water and leave for at least two hours. Wipe the warts with the prepared infusion three times a day for a week.

Surgical intervention

Surgical removal of growths is performed in the case when warty neoplasms grow and occupy a large area. The operation is not considered complicated and is performed under local anesthesia, so the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.

Surgical removal takes place in several stages:

1. Treatment of growth and healthy epithelium with an antiseptic solution.
2. Administration of local anesthesia.
3. Excision of the seal with a scalpel.
4. The imposition of cosmetic sutures or silicone patches.
5. Bandage application.

After surgery, it is important to independently treat the wound with antiseptics, do not tear off the formed crusts and do not expose the skin to sunlight.

Features of therapy in children

To eliminate warts in children, dermatologists advise parents to use conservative methods of treatment and refuse to use cauterizing solutions and folk remedies.

Small patients are prescribed special patches for neoplasms, vitamin A, salicylic-zinc ointments. If the growths on the hands interfere with the child or begin to bleed, laser therapy, electrocoagulation, or removal of seals with liquid nitrogen will help get rid of the problem.

Prevention of infection and relapse

Preventive measures aimed at preventing infection with papillomavirus include the following points:

1. Follow the rules of personal hygiene and be sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap after visiting public places.
2. Treat cuts or scratches with antiseptic preparations.
3. Refuse to visit crowded places during outbreaks of viral diseases.
4. Eliminate the possibility of using other people’s personal hygiene products.
5. Normalize the diet.
6. Lead an active lifestyle and avoid nervous strain.
7. Timely treat any infectious diseases.
8. Take vitamin and mineral complexes in the autumn-winter period.
9. Wear gloves when working with cleaning products.

The appearance of any neoplasms on the hands is an alarming signal that cannot be ignored. Having noticed the first manifestations of the disease, you should immediately contact a dermatologist, since only a professional examination and laboratory tests will help determine the nature of warty growths and get rid of the problem.