Human papillomavirus is the second most common virus of the herpesvirus family. Almost everyone is exposed to it, and most are asymptomatic carriers. However, not everyone has papilloma, warts and other manifestations. In the article, we will tell you what factors affect the formation of papillomas and how to effectively fight them with the help of drugs.
Causes of papillomas
The papillomavirus is not always active, and a healthy immune system successfully suppresses the infection. But as soon as the protection is weakened, HPV can stimulate the uncontrolled division of epidermal cells and multiply. Most often, warts and papillomas on the skin appear in the following categories of people:
- children and adolescents whose immunity is still immature;
- Pregnant women, due to natural immunosuppression necessary for childbirth;
- elderly people;
- smokers and regular drinkers of alcohol;
- obesity;
- patients with diabetes, thyroid diseases;
- patients with immunodeficiency, including HIV;
- those treated with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatics.
A strategy for dealing with papillomas
Treatment of papillomas should be comprehensive. It covers several areas:
- remove tumors;
- necessary immunomodulatory treatment;
- Improving general health, optimizing lifestyle.
Modern pharmacology, which offers many drugs for the treatment of papillomatosis, successfully overcomes the first two points.
Preparations for independent removal of papillomas
Doctors do not recommend removing papilloma at home, they give several arguments:
- For the public, it is difficult to distinguish a papilloma or a wart from other hyperplasias. For this, a biopsy is required, after which the microprocess obtained is viewed at high magnification;
- to remove papillomas, doctors use modern effective methods (cryodestruction, laser, radio knife, electrocoagulation) that are not available to ordinary people;
- Household chemicals can cause burns and scarring if used carelessly.
However, today pharmacies offer many means to eliminate skin tumors. Here is a list of the most common ones.
An effective medicine with embalming and burning 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 cap. The drug is cheap, and a bottle is enough to kill many tumors.
For small papillomas, filiform or peduncular, one application is sufficient. If the wart is old, keratinized or dry, it is recommended to first soften the keratin layer with a patch containing salicylic acid or salicylic oil, and only then apply the solution. Apply it several times on large old forms with a break of 3-5 minutes.
An important!
It is forbidden to remove papillomas and condylomas from the mucous membrane with this drug. This is dangerous for your health!
The drug is allowed to be used by pregnant and lactating women (on the doctor's recommendation).
Preparation based on acids - nitrogen, vinegar, oxal, milk. The price is higher than previous products.
The drug has a drying and necrotizing effect on warts. Available as a solution. After using it, the growths will change color and fall off after a few days, there will be a tissue, which cannot be cut off, otherwise there will be a scar. The skin should heal on its own. Scope of application - various vulgar and flat warts, condylomas.
An important!
Do not use the medicine on the face or anogenital area - the burning sensation can be very strong and there is a risk of acid getting into the eyes or mucous membranes!
It is recommended to remove no more than three warts at the same time with a total area of up to 3 cm². Pregnant and lactating women can use the drug only under the doctor's prescription and under his supervision - in the manipulation room of a clinic or hospital.
In addition to this remedy, pharmacies sometimes sell another preparation based on acids (lactic and salicylic). The principle of use, indications and contraindications are the same.
For those who do not want to burn the wart with concentrated acids and chemicals, another method has been invented - freezing. It is an aerosol containing dimethyl ether and propane.
The drug is effective against all types of vulgar warts, including plantar warts, as well as flat and flat warts. There are practically no restrictions on use. Since the product does not contain toxic components, it can be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children over 4 years old.
The aerosol is applied using a special disposable foam applicator to deliver the ether exactly where it is needed. Spray the product for 10-20 seconds (depending on the size of the wart or papilloma). The new fine texture will disappear after one use, the large and old may require 2-4.
It 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 made in Ireland. And the price is a little lower. 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 formation of new forms instead of those removed. For this purpose, antiviral and immunomodulating drugs are used, which are taken together with measures to remove papillomas and warts, as well as agents for local treatment.
Doctors often prescribe drugs that suppress HPV. Stimulates the synthesis of killer and helper cells, production of interleukin-2, increases the activity of monocytes and nuclear cells. All this helps to suppress the replication (multiplication) of viruses in cells.
Tablets are taken orally, 2 pieces 4 times a day at regular intervals. The course of treatment is two weeks, then a break for the same period and repeat the treatment.
The drug gives the best results in the early stages, when the tumor has just appeared, when the virus can be suppressed quickly and effectively. The product is suitable for children over 3 years old. The dose for them is calculated according to weight - 50 μg/kg. Pregnancy and breastfeeding is a contraindication to the use of the drug.
The solution is administered intravenously or in the form of a rectal suppository. Its basis is a plant polysaccharide that stimulates the production of its own interferons and suppresses the replication of the virus. The price is very high. 5 ampoules are enough for a course of treatment.
In addition to injections, gel is applied to the skin after tumor removal. With such comprehensive treatment, in 95% of cases, the formation of new papillomas can be avoided.
Cream with immunomodulatory effect. Apply to the skin three times a week for 8-10 hours (at night) until desired results are achieved. According to users, 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 breastfeeding women. A doctor's advice is required during pregnancy.
The product based on interferon alpha-2b in the form of gel, ointment or cream is suitable for all categories, including expectant mothers and infants. The drug is non-toxic and has almost no side effects. It is used for skin tumors three times a day for 2 weeks to a month. The price is low.
The drug contains affinity-purified antibodies to human interferon in homeopathic solutions. In general, doctors are skeptical of homeopathy and therefore rarely prescribe it. But the product has its advantages: non-toxic, children's dose, affordable price. It is recommended to take this drug as part of complex therapy, not separately.
Effective interferon inducer. Available in tablets with a dosage of 1 and 10 mg. The first is prescribed for children and people over 65 years old, and the second is for adults, except for pregnant and lactating women.
It is recommended to take the medicine every hour - with equal breaks, so its effectiveness is maximum. The course is 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 drugs.
A personal review of drugs for the treatment of papillomas
- "I had small papillomas on my neck removed in the salon, but a year later they reappeared. Unfortunately the second time I spent so much money, I bought a dimethyl ether and propane based aerosol to try. At first, I was afraid that nothing would happen, after I complained, I had to wait 10 days. During this time, I almost forgot that I was getting papillomas, but one day when I got out of the shower, they disappeared - my neck was clean. ''
- "I tried several times to get rid of the wart on my hand with acetic acid. It hurt a lot, but the wart disappeared. True, then new ones grew in the same place. Apparently, the acid does not burn completely. The doctor recommended a phenol-based cautery. I used it for a week and the warts completely whitened, fell off and never came back. "