Human papillomavirus is the second most common virus after the herpesvirus family. Almost all people have suffered from it and many are asymptomatic carriers. However, not everyone gets papillomas, warts and other manifestations. In the article we tell you what factors influence the appearance of papillomas and how to effectively combat them with the help of medications.
Causes of papillomas
The papillomavirus does not always manage to activate; A healthy immune system successfully suppresses infection. But as soon as the 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 necessary to have a child;
- old people;
- smokers and habitual alcohol drinkers;
- obese;
- patients with diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases;
- patients with immunodeficiency, including HIV;
- those who have undergone treatments with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatics.
Strategy to combat papillomas
The treatment of papillomas must be comprehensive. It includes several areas:
- Tumor removal;
- Immunomodulatory treatment as necessary;
- 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-extraction 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 wart from other hyperplasias. This requires a biopsy, after which the resulting microsample is examined at high magnification;
- To remove papillomas, doctors use modern and effective methods (cryodestruction, laser, radio knife, electrocoagulation), which are not available to ordinary people;
- Household chemicals can cause burns and scarring if used carelessly.
However, today pharmacies offer many products to eliminate 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 oil solution in a glass bottle. An applicator is attached to the cap. The drug is inexpensive, the bottle is enough to remove a large number of tumors.
For small, filiform or pedunculated papillomas, 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 ointment, and only then apply the solution. Apply it on large old formations several times with a break of 3 to 5 minutes.
Important!
With this medication, the removal of papillomas and condylomas on the mucous membranes is prohibited. This is dangerous for your health!
The drug can be used by pregnant and lactating women (on the recommendation of a doctor).
A 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 growths change color and fall off after a few days, a scab forms in this place, which cannot be torn off, otherwise a scar may remain. The skin must heal itself. Scope of application: vulgar and flat warts, condylomas.
Important!
The medication should not be used on the face or anogenital area; The burning sensation may be too strong and there is a risk of acid entering the eyes or mucous membranes.
It is recommended to remove no more than three warts at a time with the medication, with a total surface area of up to 3 cm². Pregnant and lactating women can use the drug only as prescribed by and under the supervision of a doctor, in the handling room of a clinic or hospital.
In addition to this remedy, another acid-based drug (lactic and salicylic) is sometimes sold in pharmacies. 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 medicine effectively helps against all types of common 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 old, as it does not contain toxic components.
The spray is applied using a special disposable foam applicator to deliver the ether exactly 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 require 2 to 4.
This is a safe and easy-to-use product developed by a Japanese company. Its only drawback is the high price. The bottle is enough to treat 5 to 8 warts or 12 small papillomas.
There is an alternative to the previous drug, this time manufactured in Ireland. And the cost is slightly 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 the removed ones. For this, antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are used, which are taken in parallel with measures to eliminate 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, improves the activity of monocytes and nuclear cells. All this helps to suppress the replication (reproduction) 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 take a break for the same period and repeat the treatment.
The drug gives the best results in the early stages, when the 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 of age. For them, the dose is calculated by weight: 50 mcg/kg. Pregnancy and lactation are a contraindication to the use of the drug.
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 the tumors are removed. With such a 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 medicine is not suitable for children under 18 years of age or lactating 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 cycle of 2 weeks to a month. The price is low.
The medicine contains affinity-purified antibodies against human interferon in homeopathic dilutions. Doctors are generally skeptical about homeopathy, so they rarely prescribe it. But the product also has advantages: non-toxic, children's dosage and affordable price. It is recommended to take this drug not separately, but as part of complex therapy.
Effective interferon inducer. Available in tablets with doses of 1 and 10 mg. The first is prescribed for children and people over 65 years of age, the second for adults, except pregnant and lactating women.
It is recommended to take the medication every hour, with equal breaks, for maximum effectiveness. Course – 10 days. 1 mg tablets are taken three times a day, 10 mg - once.
The drug is completely non-toxic, well tolerated and is 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 shame to give so much money for the second time, I bought a spray based on dimethyl ether and propane to try. At first I was afraid that nothing would come out well; after the application I had to wait 10 days. During that period I almost forgot that I was removing the papillomas, but one day I came out of the shower and they were gone: my neck was clean. "
- "I tried several times to remove the 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 completely. The doctor recommended a phenol-based cauterizing drug. I used it for a week, the warts turned completely white, fell off and never came back. "