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 or other manifestations. We will tell you in the article what factors influence the appearance of papillomas and how to effectively combat them using medications.
Causes of papillomas
The papillomavirus does not always manage to become active: a healthy immune system manages to suppress the infection. But as soon as protection is weakened, HPV is able to 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 regular alcohol drinkers;
- obese;
- patients with diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases;
- patients with immunodeficiency, including HIV;
- those who have undergone treatment with strong antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytostatics.
Strategy for combating papillomas
Treatment of papillomas must be comprehensive. It includes several areas:
- Removal of tumors;
- Immunomodulatory treatment as needed;
- Improvement of general health, optimization of lifestyle.
Modern pharmacology, which offers many drugs for the treatment of papillomatosis, successfully responds to the first two points.
Preparations for self-removal of papillomas
Doctors strongly advise against removing papillomas at home, they put forward 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 eliminate papillomas, doctors use modern and effective methods (cryodestruction, laser, radioknife, electrocoagulation), which are not accessible to ordinary mortals;
- Household chemicals can cause burns and leave scars if used carelessly.
However, pharmacies today 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 basis is phenol and 3-methylphenol, substances that coagulate proteins. The product is available as an oil solution in a glass bottle. An applicator is attached to the lid. The drug is inexpensive, the bottle is enough to eliminate a large number of tumors.
For small, filiform or pedunculated papillomas, a single application is sufficient. If the wart is old, keratinized or dry, it is recommended to first soften the keratin layer using a patch containing salicylic acid or salicylic ointment, and then apply the solution. Apply it several times to large old formations with a break of 3-5 minutes.
Important!
Removal of papillomas and condyloma on the mucous membranes is prohibited with this medication. It's dangerous for your health!
The drug is allowed for use 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 medication acts on warts in a drying and necrotizing manner. Available as a solution. After its use, the growths change color and fall off after a few days; a crust forms in this place, which cannot be torn off, otherwise a scar may remain. The skin must heal itself. Field of application – all common and flat warts, condyloma.
Important!
The medicine should not be used on 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 no more than three warts at a time with the drug, with a total area 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 handling 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 has been invented: freezing. This is an aerosol containing dimethyl ether and propane.
The drug effectively helps against all types of common warts, including plantar warts, as well as filiform and flat warts. There are virtually 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 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). Small fresh formations disappear after one application; large and old ones may require 2 to 4.
This is an easy-to-use and safe product developed by a Japanese company. Its only drawback is its 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 in order to prevent the appearance of new formations in place of the suppressed ones. For this purpose, antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are used, which are taken along with measures aimed at eliminating papillomas and warts, as well as local treatment agents.
Medicine commonly prescribed by doctors to suppress HPV. Stimulates the synthesis of killer and helper cells, the production of interleukin-2, improves 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 duration 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 tumors have just appeared, then it is possible to suppress the virus quickly and effectively. The product is suitable for children over 3 years old. For them, the dosage is calculated based on weight - 50 mcg/kg. Pregnancy and breastfeeding 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 which 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 the injections, a gel is applied to the skin after the tumors are removed. With such complex treatment, it is possible to avoid the appearance of new papillomas in 95% of cases.
Cream with immunomodulatory effect. Apply to the skin for 8 to 10 hours (in the evening) three times a week until the desired result is achieved. According to user reviews, the drug is effective against filiform papillomas, senile keratomas, condyloma 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.
An interferon alpha-2b product in the form of gel, ointment or cream is suitable for all categories, including pregnant women and infants. The drug is non-toxic and causes virtually no 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 drug contains affinity-purified antibodies against human interferon in homeopathic dilutions. In general, doctors are skeptical about homeopathy and therefore rarely prescribe it. But the product also has advantages: non-toxic, children's dosage, affordable price. It is recommended to take this medication not separately, but as part of complex therapy.
Effective interferon inducer. Available in tablets of 1 and 10 mg. The first is prescribed for children and people over 65, the second for adults, excluding pregnant and breastfeeding women.
It is recommended to take the drug every hour - with equal breaks, 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 drugs for the treatment of papillomas
- "I removed the 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 a dimethyl ether and propane spray to try. At first I was afraid that nothing would work, after applying I had to wait 10 days. All this time I had almost forgotten that I was removing the papillomas, but one day I got out of the shower and they were gone – my neck was clean.
- "I have tried several times to remove warts on my hands with acetic acid. It was very painful, but the warts disappeared. Certainly, new ones have grown in the same place. Apparently the acid doesn't burn completely. The doctor recommended a cauterizing drug based on phenol. I used it for a week, the warts turned completely white, fell off and never came back.