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 effectively fight them with the help of drugs.
Causes of papillomas
Papilloma virus does not always manage to activate, a healthy immune system successfully suppresses the infection. But as soon as protection weakens, 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 natural immunosuppression necessary for childbirth;
- elderly people;
- smokers and regular alcohol consumers;
- obese;
- patients with diabetes, thyroid diseases;
- patients with immunodeficiency, including HIV;
- those who have undergone treatment with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatics.
A strategy to combat papillomas
Treatment of papilloma should be comprehensive. It includes several areas:
- Tumor removal;
- Immunomodulatory treatment as needed;
- General improvement of health, optimization of lifestyle.
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. This requires a biopsy, after which the resulting microsample is examined under high magnification;
- To remove papillomas, doctors use modern effective methods (cryodestruction, 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 products to remove skin tumors. Here is a list of the most common.
An effective medicine with mummifying and cauterizing effects. Its basis is 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 medicine is cheap, the vial is enough to remove a large number of tumors.
For small papillomas, in the form of threads or on peduncles, one application is sufficient. If the wart is old, keratinized or dry, it is recommended to first soften the keratin layer with 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!
The removal of papillomas and condylomas on mucous membranes is prohibited with this medicine. This is dangerous for your health!
The drug is allowed for use by pregnant and lactating women (according to the doctor's recommendation).
Preparation based on acids - nitric, acetic, oxalic, lactic. The price is higher than the previous product.
The drug acts on the warts in a drying and necrotizing way. Available as a solution. After its use, growths change color and fall off after a few days, a crust is formed in that place that cannot be torn off, otherwise a scar may remain. The skin has to heal itself. Scope of application – all vulgar and flat warts, condylomas.
Important!
The medicine must not be applied to the face or in the 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 more than three warts simultaneously with the drug, with a total area of up to 3 cm². Pregnant and lactating women can use the medicine only on the recommendation of a doctor and under his supervision - in the manipulation room of a clinic or hospital.
In addition to this drug, 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 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 older than 4 years, because it does not contain toxic components.
The aerosol 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). Fresh small formations disappear after one application; large and old may require 2-4.
This is an easy to use and safe product developed by a Japanese company. Its only drawback is its 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 manufactured in Ireland. And the price is slightly lower. Indications, contraindications and method of use are the same.
Immunomodulatory treatment
Treatment of papillomas with drugs includes suppressing the activity of the HPV virus in order to avoid the appearance of new formations in the place of the removed ones. For this purpose, antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are used, which are taken in parallel with measures to remove papillomas and warts, as well as means for local treatment.
A drug commonly prescribed by doctors that fights HPV. Stimulates the synthesis of killer cells and auxiliary cells, production of interleukin-2, enhances the activity of monocytes and nuclear cells. All this helps to suppress the replication (reproduction) of the virus in the 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 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 mcg/kg. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications for the use of the drug.
The solution is administered intravenously or rectally in the form of suppositories. Its basis is a plant polysaccharide that stimulates the production of own interferons and suppresses virus replication. The cost is quite high. 5 ampoules are enough for the treatment.
In addition to injections, a gel is also applied to the skin after tumor removal. 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 and breastfeeding mothers. Consultation with a doctor is necessary during pregnancy.
The product based on interferon alfa-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 practically does not cause 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 of homeopathy, so they rarely prescribe it. But the product also has advantages: non-toxic, children's dose, affordable price. It is recommended to take this drug not separately, but as part of a complex therapy.
An effective interferon inducer. Available in 1 and 10 mg tablets. The first is prescribed for children and people over 65 years old, the second for adults, except for pregnant and lactating women.
It is recommended to take the medicine every hour - with equal breaks, so that 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 drugs.
Personal reviews of drugs for the treatment of papillomas
- "I removed small papillomas on my neck in the salon, but a year later they reappeared. It was a shame to spend so much money the second time, I bought an aerosol based on dimethyl ether and propane to try. At first I was afraid that nothing would work, after applying, I had to wait 10 days. During that period, I almost forgot to remove the papillomas, but one day I got out of the shower, and they were gone - my neck 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 cauterization drug based on phenol. I used it for a week, the warts turned completely white, fell off and did not appear again. "