Causes and treatment of vulgar warts on hands, fingers

Vulgar warts are benign formations that occur due to the penetration and activation of the papillomavirus. They look like skin growths of a round shape. Usually they do not cause pain, more cosmetic defect interferes.

Etiology of neoplasms

The causes of occurrence lie in the infection of the human body with the human papillomavirus. It is present in the blood of almost all the inhabitants of our planet, but not all of them manifest themselves clinically.

The fact is that for a long time this pathogenic microorganism can be in a latent state, that is, be inactive. But as soon as the human immune system fails, the virus is immediately activated, and it grows and multiplies.

The triggering factors are:

• hormonal disorders;
• exacerbation of chronic infectious pathologies;
• acute inflammatory process in the body;
• overwork, both physical and nervous;
• stress;
• avitaminosis.

A feature of vulgar warts is that they are able to spread to healthy areas of tissue. Paired growths often form, which can be separated by a fold of skin.

Usually papillomas are localized on the back of the hand. The incubation period is from several weeks to a year from the moment of infection.

Causes of the disease on the hands

Any person constantly receives microtrauma of the hands, while small cracks and wounds appear on the skin, through which the virus can freely enter the body.

Since a person’s hands are constantly contacting parts of the body, vulgar warts can appear on them as a result of:

• handshakes with a virus carrier;
• contact with personal hygiene items of the virus carrier;
• use of common hygiene products;
• lack of proper personal hygiene in public places;
• contact with contaminated objects.

Once in the human body, the virus either goes into hibernation until favorable conditions arise, or, if available, immediately begins to activate.

Favorable conditions for the virus are:

• weak immunity;
• hormonal disruptions;
• malnutrition and malnutrition;
• poor environmental conditions;
• the presence of an unfavorable radiation background;
• excess weight;
• frequent hand injuries.

I must say that the virus feels very good in a humid environment, so infection in public pools, baths and saunas is quite common.

Moreover, entrances, basements, handrails in transport, public canteens roam in potentially dangerous places – there viruses can be in an active state for a long time.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of vulgar warts is not difficult for a qualified specialist, he can easily distinguish vulgar warts from other skin growths, and this most often requires a simple examination of the patient.

But in some cases, the following additional studies may be required:

• Dermatoscopy is the study of tissues using a magnifying device.
• PCR – to determine the type of pathogen.
• Histology – is prescribed for suspicion of the transformation of a benign neoplasm into a malignant one.

How to deal with growths on the fingers?

In principle, the treatment of vulgar warts is optional, sometimes they can go away on their own. Treatment is required mainly in cases where the growths prevent a person from fully using their hands or cause physical or psychological discomfort to the patient.

Despite the fact that vulgar warts are a benign pathology, it is still impossible to exclude an oncological risk. Benign neoplasms are completely harmless, and the fact that a transformation into a malignant tumor occurs can be judged by the following signs:

• uneven coloration of the build-up;
• fast growth;
• bleeding.

When choosing a treatment for vulgar warts, the age of the patient should be taken into account; doctors do not recommend removing the growth in children under 15 years of age if it does not interfere with the child. In 50% of cases, vulgar warts at this age go away on their own.

I must say that there are several factors that reduce the chance of self-healing:

• if more than 2 years have passed since the appearance of the build-up;
• if a person is constantly experiencing psychological and physical stress;
• if there are a lot of warts;
• if the state of the immune system is weakened;
• if the person is over 30 years old.

Pharmacy funds

To eliminate this problem, pharmacological agents are used that have an antiviral and immunomodulatory effect. The following drugs are often used:

1. Oxolinic 3% ointment , which actively fights the papillomavirus.
2. Salicylic ointment , which eliminates pathological cells layer by layer.
3. Means for cauterization at home – Supercleaner, Solcoderm , Verrukatsid and so on.
4. Immunomodulators – derivatives of interferon.

It must be understood that the above remedies cannot give an instant effect, and in order to completely get rid of the wart, they will have to be used for a long time. A newly appeared build-up can be removed in this way in 2-3 months, and it will take a couple of years to treat an old one.

There is a special plast that is glued to the wart, it is sold at any pharmacy. The main active ingredient is salicylic acid, and sulfur is an additional component.

Folk methods of treatment

As for alternative methods of treatment, there are a lot of them, but the following means are most often used:

• castor oil ;
• baths based on horse chestnut;
• garlic;
• vinegar;
• celandine;
• onion; wormwood;
• tea tree oil ;
• sour juices;
• thyme;
• a mixture of aloe juice, fresh potato juice and onion juice.

Before starting treatment with folk remedies,  you need to consult a doctor and make sure that this is a vulgar wart, and not another skin pathology.

Removal of growths

Removal of vulgar warts is the fastest way to get rid of an unpleasant growth. But no specialist can give a guarantee that education will not appear again.

The fact is that the papilloma virus, once it enters the human body, remains in it forever, and so far there is no drug to defeat this infection.

That is, any treatment is only symptomatic, and under favorable conditions for the virus, the clinical picture can resume.

Cauterization with nitrogen

The doctor dips a cotton swab in liquid nitrogen and treats the growth. The wart tissue is frozen, a cold burn appears, which then heals and disappears. After that, healthy skin remains in its place.

Surgical removal

After anesthesia with novocaine, the surgeon excised the wart with a scalpel. Currently, this method is used infrequently, since there are less traumatic methods of removal.

Electrocoagulation

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon excised the wart with a metal thread that is under electrical voltage.

This method is also considered obsolete, since a new one has appeared – radio wave removal, it is less traumatic and more effective.

Laser removal

A laser beam directed at the wart evaporates the neoplasm tissue, after which a crust forms in its place. After a few days, the crust falls off on its own, leaving clean skin. This method is currently the most popular.

Precautions and possible complications

Despite the relative safety of vulgar warts, in some cases, without treatment, they can lead to the following complications:

• the spread of warts to other parts of the body;
• accession of a secondary infection, especially often this occurs when the integrity of the neoplasm is violated;
• the wart can grow in size and cause physical discomfort;
• the appearance of multiple growths is possible, and their merger into one large conglomerate;
• transformation to malignancy.

Complications can also occur after the treatment of vulgar warts:

• scar formation, which can be painful;
• formation of a keloid scar;
• frequent relapses of pathology;
• a wart may not respond to treatment in any way, and the situation will remain the same.

Also find out how the spine appears on the hand , diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Preventive measures and forecast of specialists

The prognosis of specialists regarding vulgar warts is good. As already mentioned, these benign formations in the majority not only do not pose a danger to human health, but can also pass on their own. However, a doctor’s consultation, and, if necessary, proper treatment is still required.

As for prevention, there are no 100% working preventive actions against vulgar warts. No one can protect themselves or their children from the outside world.

However, by adhering to the following rules, you can significantly reduce the risk of a vulgar wart:

• Wash hands thoroughly after being in public places.
• Treat wounds and cuts immediately with hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green or iodine.
• When interacting with chemicals, protect hands with rubber gloves.
• Follow a proper and balanced diet.
• Strengthen immunity.
• Minimize the amount of stressful situations.
• Exercise caution when in contact with people who have vulgar warts.