Human papillomavirus is the second most common virus after the herpesvirus family. Almost everyone has encountered it, many are asymptomatic carriers. However, not everyone has papillomas, warts and other manifestations. We will tell you in this article which factors influence the appearance of papillomas and how to combat them effectively with the help of medications.
Causes of papillomas
The papillomavirus does not always manage to become active; a healthy immune system successfully suppresses the infection. But as soon as protection is weakened, HPV can multiply, causing uncontrolled division of epidermal cells. Most often, warts and papillomas on the skin appear in the following categories of people:
- children and adolescents whose immunity is still imperfect;
- pregnant women due to the natural immunosuppression required to have a child;
- elderly;
- smokers and regular alcohol consumers;
- obese;
- patients with diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease;
- patients with immunodeficiency, including HIV;
- those who have undergone treatment with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatics.
Strategy to combat papillomas
Treatment of papillomas must be comprehensive. Includes 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 present several arguments:
- It is difficult for a layman to distinguish a papilloma or wart from other hyperplasias. This requires a biopsy, after which the resulting microspecimen is examined under high magnification;
- To remove papillomas, doctors use modern and effective methods (cryodestruction, laser, radioknife, electrocoagulation), which are not available to ordinary people;
- Household chemicals can cause burns and leave 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 base 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 cap. The medicine is cheap, the vial is enough to remove a large number of tumors.
For small, filiform or pedunculated papillomas, just one application is enough. If the wart is old, keratinized or dry, it is recommended to first soften the keratin layer with a salicylic acid patch or salicylic ointment and only then apply the solution. Apply several times to large old formations with an interval of 3-5 minutes.
Important!
Removal of papillomas and condylomas on mucous membranes is prohibited with this medication. This is dangerous for your health!
The medicine can 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 use, the lumps change color and fall off after a few days, forming a crust in this place that cannot be peeled off, otherwise a scar may remain. The skin must heal itself. Scope of application – any common and flat warts, condylomas.
Important!
The medicine should not be used on the face or in the anogenital region - the burning sensation can be very strong and there is a risk that the acid will come into contact with the eyes or mucous membranes!
It is recommended to remove a maximum of three warts at a time with the medicine, with a total area of up to 3 cm². Pregnant and breastfeeding women can only use the medicine as prescribed by a doctor and under their supervision - in the compounding room of a clinic or hospital.
In addition to this remedy, pharmacies sometimes sell another medicine 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 was invented - freezing. This is an aerosol containing dimethyl ether and propane.
The drug effectively helps against all types of vulgar warts, including plantar warts, as well as filiform and flat warts. There are practically no restrictions on use. The product can be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children over 4 years of age, as it does not contain toxic components.
The aerosol is applied using a special disposable foam applicator to distribute the ether exactly to the desired location. The product is sprayed for 10 to 20 seconds (depending on the size of the wart or papilloma). Small fresh formations disappear after one application; large and old ones may require 2-4.
This is an easy-to-use and safe product developed by a Japanese company. Its only disadvantage is the high price. One bottle is enough to treat 5 to 8 warts or 12 small papillomas.
There is an alternative to the previous medicine, this time manufactured in Ireland. And the cost is a little lower. The indications, contraindications and method of use are the same.
Immunomodulatory treatment
Drug treatment of papillomas involves suppressing the activity of the HPV virus to prevent the appearance of new formations in place of those removed. For this purpose, antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are used, which are taken in parallel with measures to remove papillomas and warts, as well as agents for local treatment.
A medication 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 helps to suppress the replication (reproduction) of viruses in cells.
The 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.
The medicine gives the best results in the early stages, when tumors have just appeared, then it is possible to suppress the virus quickly and effectively. The product is suitable for use by children over 3 years old. For them, the dosage is calculated by weight - 50 mcg/kg. Pregnancy and lactation are contraindications to the use of the medication.
The solution is administered intravenously or rectally in the form of suppositories. Its base is 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 one treatment.
In addition to injections, a gel is applied to the skin after tumors are removed. With such a complex treatment, in 95% of cases it is possible to prevent the appearance of new papillomas.
Cream with immunomodulatory effect. Apply to the skin for 8 to 10 hours (at night) three times a week until you get the desired result. According to user reviews, the medicine is effective against filiform papillomas, senile keratomas, condylomas and other defects.
The medicine is not suitable for children under 18 years of age and breastfeeding women. During pregnancy, consultation with a doctor is necessary.
A product based on interferon alfa-2b in the form of a gel, ointment or cream is suitable for all categories, including pregnant women and babies. The drug is non-toxic and practically does not cause side effects. It is applied three times a day to skin tumors for a period of 2 weeks to a month. The price is low.
The medicine 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 medicine not separately, 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 those over 65 years of age, the second for adults, except pregnant and breastfeeding women.
It is recommended to take the medicine every hour - with equal intervals, so that its effectiveness is maximum. Course – 10 days. 1 mg tablets 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 medicines for the treatment of papillomas
- "I removed small papillomas from my neck in the salon, but a year later they reappeared. It was a shame to give so much money for the second time, I bought an aerosol based on dimethyl ether and propane to try. At first I was afraid that nothing would work, then After application I had to wait 10 days. During this period, I almost forgot that I was removing the papillomas, but one day I got out of the shower and they disappeared – 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. It is true that new ones grew in the same place. Apparently, the acid does not burn completely. The doctor recommended a cauterizing medicine based on phenol. I used For a week, the warts turned completely white, fell off, and never appeared again. "