Human papillomavirus is the second most common virus after the herpesvirus family. Almost every person has experienced it, many are asymptomatic carriers. However, not everyone gets papillomas, warts and other manifestations of it. We will tell you in the article what factors affect the appearance of papillomas and how to effectively fight them with the help of drugs.
Causes of papillomas
The papillomavirus does not always become active; a healthy immune system successfully suppresses the infection. But once the protection is weakened, HPV can multiply, causing the epidermal cells to divide uncontrollably. Most often, warts and papillomas on the skin appear in the following categories of people:
- children and adolescents whose immunity is still incomplete.
- pregnant women due to the natural immunosuppression necessary for childbearing.
- elderly?
- smokers and regular alcohol drinkers;
- obese;
- patients with diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases.
- patients with immunodeficiency, including HIV.
- those who have been treated with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatics.
Strategy for fighting papillomas
Treatment of papillomas must be comprehensive. It includes several areas:
- Tumor removal?
- Immunomodulatory therapy as needed.
- General health improvement, lifestyle optimization.
Modern pharmacology, which offers many drugs for the treatment of papillomatosis, quite successfully treats the first two points.
Preparations for self-removal of papillomas
Doctors do not strongly recommend removing papillomas at home; they give several arguments:
- It is difficult for a layman to distinguish a papilloma or wart from other growths. 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 scars if used carelessly.
However, pharmacies today offer many products for the removal of 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 cap. The drug is cheap, the bottle is enough to remove a large number of tumors.
For small papillomas, filaments or hair follicles, 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 to large old formations several times with a break of 3-5 minutes.
Great!
Removal of papillomas and warts on mucous membranes is prohibited with this drug. This is dangerous for your health!
The drug is allowed to be used by pregnant and lactating women (after a doctor's recommendation).
A preparation based on acids - nitric, acetic, oxalic, lactic. The cost is higher than the previous product.
The drug acts on the warts in a drying and necrotic way. It is available in the form of a solution. After using it, the shoots change color and fall off after a few days; a crust forms in this place, which cannot be cut off, otherwise a scar may remain. The skin must heal itself. Scope – any vulgar and flat warts, warts.
Great!
The drug should not be used 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 the drug, with a total surface of up to 3 cm². Pregnant and lactating women can use the drug only as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision - in the operating room of a clinic or hospital.
In addition to this drug, pharmacies sometimes sell another drug 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 warts with concentrated acids and chemicals, another method has been invented - freezing. This is an aerosol containing dimethyl ether and propane.
The drug effectively helps against all types of gross warts, including plantar warts, as well as filiform and flat. 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 ingredients.
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 ones may require 2-4.
This is an easy to use and safe product developed by a Japanese company. Its only drawback is the high price. The 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 cost is slightly lower. The indications, contraindications and method of use are the same.
Immunomodulatory therapy
Drug treatment of papillomas involves suppressing the activity of the HPV virus in order to prevent 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 papilloma and wart removal measures, as well as local treatment agents.
A drug commonly prescribed by doctors that suppresses HPV. It stimulates the synthesis of killer and helper cells, the production of interleukin-2, enhances the activity of monocytes and nuclear cells. All this helps to suppress the reproduction (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 drug gives the best results in the initial 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 over 3 years old. For them, the dosage is calculated by weight - 50 mcg/kg. Pregnancy and lactation are a contraindication 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 its own interferons and suppresses the reproduction of the virus. 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 the 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 8-10 hours (at night) three times a week until the desired effect is achieved. According to user reviews, the drug is effective against filiform papillomas, senile keratomas, warts and other defects.
The drug is not suitable for children under 18 years of age and breastfeeding women. During pregnancy, consultation with a doctor is required.
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 applied three times a day to 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, children's dose, affordable price. It is recommended to take this drug not separately, but as part of a complex treatment.
Effective interferon inducer. It is available in tablets with a dosage of 1 and 10 mg. The first is prescribed to children and people over 65 years old, the second to adults, except for pregnant and lactating women.
It is recommended to take the drug every hour - with equal breaks, so 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 at the salon, but a year later they reappeared. It was a shame to give so much money a second time, I bought an aerosol based on dimethyl ether and propane to try. At first I was afraid that nothing would work; after application I had to wait 10 days. Over a period of time, I almost forgot I was getting the papillomas, but one day I got out of the shower and they were gone – my throat was clear. '
- "I tried several times to remove warts on my hands with acetic acid. It was very painful, but the warts disappeared. It is true that new ones were subsequently developed in the same space. Obviously, the acid doesn't burn completely. The doctor recommended a cauterizing medicine based on phenol. I used it for a week, the warts turned completely white, fell off and never came back. '