Human papillomavirus is the second most common virus after the herpesvirus family. Almost every person has encountered it, many are asymptomatic carriers. However, not everyone gets papillomas, warts and other manifestations. In the article, we will tell you what factors affect the appearance of papillomas and how to fight them effectively with the help of medication.
Causes of papillomas
The papillomavirus does not always manage to activate, a healthy immune system successfully suppresses the infection. But once the protection is weakened, HPV is able to multiply, causing uncontrolled division of epidermal cells. Most often, warts and papillomas appear on the skin in the following categories of people:
- children and adolescents whose immunity is still incomplete;
- due to the natural immunosuppression of pregnant women, which is necessary for childbirth;
- elderly people;
- smokers and regular alcohol users;
- obesity;
- patients with diabetes, thyroid diseases;
- patients with immunodeficiency, including HIV;
- those who have been treated with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatic agents.
Strategy for fighting papillomas
Treatment of papillomas should be comprehensive. It covers several areas:
- Tumor removal;
- Immunomodulatory treatment as needed;
- General health improvement, lifestyle optimization.
Modern pharmacology, which offers many drugs for the treatment of papillomatosis, quite successfully copes with the first two points.
Preparations for self-removal of papillomas
Doctors strongly do not recommend removing papillomas at home, they give several arguments:
- It is difficult for a layman to distinguish a papilloma or a wart from other hyperplasias. It requires a biopsy, after which the obtained microsample is examined at high magnification;
- To remove papillomas, doctors use modern effective methods (cryodestriction, laser, radioknife, electrocoagulation), which are not available to ordinary people;
- Household chemicals can cause burns and scarring if used carelessly.
However, pharmacies today offer many means to eliminate skin tumors. Here is a list of the most common.
Effective medicine with mummifying and cauterizing effects. It is based on phenol and 3-methylphenol - substances that coagulate proteins. The product is available as an oily solution in a glass bottle. An applicator is attached to the lid. The drug is cheap, a bottle is enough to remove a large number of tumors.
For small papillomas, threadlike or pedunculated, one application is sufficient. If the wart is old, keratinized or dry, it is recommended to first soften the keratin layer using a patch with salicylic acid or salicylic acid, and only then apply the solution. Apply it to large old formations several times with a break of 3-5 minutes.
Important!
With the help of this medicine, it is forbidden to remove papillomas and condylomas on the mucous membranes. It is dangerous for your health!
The drug is allowed to be used by pregnant and lactating women (on the doctor's recommendation).
A preparation based on acids - nitric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid. The cost is higher than the previous product.
The drug acts on the wart in a drying and necrotizing way. Available as a solution. After use, the growths change color and fall off after a few days, a crust forms in this place, which cannot be removed, otherwise a scar may remain. The skin has to heal itself. Area of application – any vulgar and flat warts, condylomas.
Important!
The medicine should not be used on the face or anogenital area - the burning sensation may be too strong, and there is a risk that the acid will get into the eyes or mucous membranes!
At the same time with the medicine, it is recommended to remove no more than three warts with a total area of up to 3 cm². Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding can use the medicine only according to the doctor's instructions and under his supervision - in the manipulation room of a clinic or hospital.
In addition to this remedy, pharmacies sometimes sell other drugs based on acids (lactic acid 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 technique has been invented - freezing. It is an aerosol containing dimethyl ether and propane.
The drug effectively helps against all types of vulgar warts, including plantar, as well as threaded and flat. There are practically no restrictions on use. The product can be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children older than 4 years, as it does not contain toxic ingredients.
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). Fresh small formations disappear after one use, large and old ones may need 2-4.
This is an easy to use and safe product developed by a Japanese company. Its only drawback is the high price. A bottle is enough to treat 5-8 warts or 12 small papillomas.
There is an alternative to the previous drug, this time produced in Ireland. And the cost is slightly lower. Indications, contraindications and method of use are the same.
Immunomodulatory treatment
Treatment of papillomas with drugs involves suppressing the activity of the HPV virus to avoid the appearance of new formations in the place of the removed ones. For this purpose, antiviral and immunomodulating agents are used, which are carried out in parallel with measures to remove papillomas and warts, as well as agents for local treatment.
Medicines that suppress HPV are often prescribed by doctors. Stimulates the synthesis of killer and helper cells, production of interleukin-2, enhances the activity of monocytes and nuclear cells. All this helps to suppress viral replication (reproduction) in cells.
Tablets are taken orally, 2 pieces 4 times a day at regular intervals. The course of treatment is two weeks, then take a break for the same period and repeat the treatment.
Medicines give the best results in the early stages, when tumors have just appeared, then it is possible to quickly and effectively suppress the virus. The product is suitable for use by children older than 3 years. For them, the dose is calculated by weight - 50 mkg/kg. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications to the use of the drug.
The solution is administered intravenously or rectally in the form of suppositories. It is based on a plant polysaccharide that stimulates the production of its own interferons and suppresses virus replication. The cost is quite high. 5 ampoules are enough for a course of treatment.
In addition to injections, a gel is applied to the skin after tumor removal. With such complex treatment, it is possible to avoid the appearance of new papillomas in 95% of cases.
Cream with immunomodulating 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 medicine is not suitable for children under 18 years of age and women who are breastfeeding. Consultation with a doctor is required during pregnancy.
A product based on interferon alfa-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 used three times a day on skin tumors for a course 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 of homeopathy, so they rarely prescribe it. But the product also has advantages: non-toxic, child-friendly doses, reasonable price. It is recommended to use these drugs not separately, but as part of complex therapy.
Effective interferon inducer. Available in 1 and 10 mg tablets. The first is intended for children and people over 65 years old, the second for adults, excluding pregnant and breastfeeding women.
It is recommended to use the medicine every hour - with equal breaks, so its effectiveness will be maximum. Course - 10 days. Tablets of 1 mg are used three times a day, 10 mg - once.
The drug is completely non-toxic, well tolerated and combined with other drugs.
Personal reviews of drugs for the treatment of papillomas
- "I removed small papillomas on my neck in the salon, but after a year they appeared again. It's a shame to give so much money a second time, I bought an aerosol based on dimethyl ether and propane to try it out. At first I was afraid that nothing would happen, I had to wait 10 days after applying. During that period, I almost forgot, that I remove papillomas, but one day I got out of the shower and they were gone - my throat was clean. "
- "I tried several times to remove the 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 does not burn completely. The doctor recommended a cauterizing drug based on phenol. I used it for a week, the wartsturned completely white, fell and did not appear again.