The human papillomavirus is the second most common virus after the herpesvirus family. Almost everyone has been exposed to it, many are asymptomatic carriers. However, not everyone gets papillomas, warts and other types of it. We will tell you in the article what factors influence the appearance of papillomas, and how to fight them effectively with the help of medicines.
Causes of papillomas
The papillomavirus does not always become active; a healthy immune system successfully suppresses the infection. But as soon as the defense is weakened, HPV is able to multiply, which stimulates the uncontrolled division of epidermal cells. Warts and papillomas on the skin are often seen in the following categories of people:
- children and adolescents whose immunity is still imperfect;
- pregnant women because of the natural immunity needed to carry a child;
- elderly people;
- smokers and regular alcohol drinkers;
- obese;
- patients with diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases;
- immunocompromised patients, including HIV;
- those who have been treated with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids, and cytostatics.
A strategy to combat papillomas
Treatment of papillomas should be comprehensive. It includes several areas:
- remove tumors;
- Immunotherapy as needed;
- General health improvement, lifestyle optimization.
Modern pharmacology, which offers many drugs for the treatment of papillomatosis, successfully deals with the first two points.
Preparations for self-removal of papillomas
Doctors do not strongly recommend removing papillomas at home; they give several arguments:
- It is difficult for you to distinguish a papilloma or wart from another hyperplasia. This requires a biopsy, after which the resulting microspecimen is examined under high magnification;
- To remove papillomas, doctors use modern effective methods (cryodestruction, laser, radioknife, electrocoagulation), which are not available to ordinary people;
- Chemicals for home use can cause burns and leave scars if used carelessly.
However, pharmacies today offer many products to remove skin tumors. Here is a list of the most popular.
An effective drug with mummifying and cauterizing effects. Its basis is phenol and 3-methylphenol - substances that coagulate proteins. The product is available in the form of an oily solution in a glass bottle. An applicator is attached to the lid. The drug is cheap, the bottle is enough to remove a large number of tumors.
In the case of small papillomas, like thread or pedunculated, one application is sufficient. If the wart is old, keratinized or dry, it is recommended to soften the keratin layer first using a patch with 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!
It is forbidden to eliminate papillomas and condylomas on the mucous membranes with this drug. This is dangerous for your health!
The drug is allowed to be used by pregnant and lactating women (on the recommendation of a doctor).
Preparation based on acids - nitric, acetic, oxalic, lactic. The cost is higher than the previous product.
The medicine acts on warts in a drying and necrotizing way. Available in solution form. After using it, the growths change color and fall off after a few days; a crust forms in this place, which cannot be torn, or a scar may remain. The skin has to heal itself. Scope of application – any vulgar and flat warts, condylomas.
Important!
The drug should not be used on the face or in the anogenital area - the burning sensation may be too strong, and there is a risk of acid getting into the eyes or mucous membranes!
It is recommended not to remove more than three warts at a time with the drug, with a total area of up to 3 cm². Pregnant and lactating women can use the drug only as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision - in the operating room of a clinic or hospital.
In addition to this medicine, pharmacies sometimes sell other drugs based on acids (lactic and salicylic). 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 containing dimethyl ether and propane.
The drug helps effectively against all types of vulgar warts, including plantar warts, as well as filiform and flat ones. There are almost no restrictions on use. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children over 4 years of age can use the product, as it does not contain toxic components.
The aerosol is applied using a special disposable foam applicator to deliver the ether directly to the desired location. The product is sprayed for 10-20 seconds (depending on the size of the wart or papilloma). Small fresh formations disappear after one application; large and old ones may need 2-4.
This is an easy to use and safe product developed by a Japanese company. Its 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 previous drug, this time made in Ireland. And the cost is a little lower. Indications, contraindications and method of use are the same.
Immunotherapy
Drug treatment of papillomas involves suppressing the activity of the HPV virus to avoid the appearance of new formations instead of those removed. For this purpose, antiviral and immunomodulating drugs are used, which are carried out in parallel with measures to remove papillomas and warts, as well as agents for local treatment.
Medicines commonly prescribed by doctors that suppress HPV. It stimulates the synthesis of killer and helper cells, the production of interleukin-2, improves the activity of monocytes and nuclear cells. All this helps to prevent the replication (reproduction) of viruses in cells.
Tablets are taken orally, 2 pieces 4 times a day regularly. The course 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 initial stages, when tumors are just visible, then the virus can be removed quickly and effectively. The product is suitable for use by children over 3 years of age. For them, the dose is calculated according to weight - 50 mcg / kg. Pregnancy and lactation are a contraindication to the use of the drug.
The solution is administered intravenously or directly 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 cost is quite high. 5 ampoules are sufficient for a course of treatment.
As well as injections, a gel is applied to the skin after tumors are removed. With such complex treatment, in 95% of cases it is possible to avoid the appearance of new papillomas.
Cream with immunomodulatory effect. Apply to the skin for 8-10 hours (at night) three times a week 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 nursing women. During pregnancy, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
A product based on interferon alfa-2b in the form of a gel, ointment or cream is suitable for all categories, including pregnant mothers and infants. The drug is non-toxic and causes almost no side effects. It is applied three times a day to skin tumors for 2 weeks to a month. The price is low.
The drug contains affinity-purified antibodies to human interferon in homeopathic dilutions. In general, doctors are skeptical about homeopathy, so they rarely prescribe it. But the product also has advantages: non-toxic, children's dosage, affordable price. It is recommended to take this drug not separately, but as part of complex therapy.
An effective interferon inducer. Available in tablets with a dose of 1 and 10 mg. The first is prescribed for children and people over 65, the second for adults, except pregnant and lactating women.
It is recommended to take the drug hourly - with equal breaks, so its effectiveness will be 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 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 pity to give so much money the second time, I bought an aerosol based on dimethyl ether and propane to try it. At first I was afraid that nothing would come out; after I applied I had to wait 10 days. During such a period of time, I almost forgot that I was removing the papillomas, but for one dayI got out of the shower, and they were gone - my neck was clean. "
- "I tried several times to remove warts from 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 does not burn outcompletely. The doctor recommended a cauterizing drug based on phenol. I used it for a week, the veins turned completely white, fell out and did not appear again. "