Warts on the hands give their owner many unpleasant minutes, cause constant discomfort, and can cause psychological problems. Such neoplasms appear extremely unaesthetic, forcing them to hide their hands and avoid close communication. Today we will talk about the reasons for their appearance, the variety of ways and how to get rid of warts on your hands.
Why do warts appear on my hands?
Warts are neoplasms of viral etiology, generally benign. The reason for the appearance of warts on the hands is infection with different types of HPV (human papillomavirus). Infection occurs by contact, the virus infects not only the skin, but also the mucous membranes. The infection is transmitted from the carrier to a healthy person by shaking hands, using common household items, and personal hygiene products (towels, washcloths). Sometimes, just holding on to a handrail, grasping a doorknob, or pressing the elevator button can cause a harmful virus to enter the body through microscopic skin damage (a minor scratch, abrasion, or wound).
For information on the causes and treatment of warts on fingers, consult a dermatologist. Experts warn that the virus that causes the characteristic growths is widespread in the environment. It reproduces especially actively in hot and humid conditions. The probability of contracting HPV is high among lovers of water procedures, who often visit the swimming pool, bathhouse and sauna. Workers on poultry farms or in meat and fish production are at particular risk. Any microtrauma can become a gateway for the virus to enter.
Very often, self-infection becomes the cause of warts on the hands. Ugly growths appear in the periungual area in those who have a habit of biting their fingers or biting their nails. You can also face an unpleasant problem after visiting a nail salon, if hygiene standards are violated and the tools are not completely sterilized.
The incubation period lasts from 2 to 6 months, but even in this case, the characteristic growths may not form immediately. If a person has strong immunity, the virus goes into a "dormant" mode and may not show itself for a long time. When the immune system weakens, it "wakes up" and begins to multiply rapidly. There are a number of external and internal triggers that drive virus activation. In this list:
- recent infections;
- exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
- improper and unbalanced nutrition;
- hormonal disturbances;
- avitaminosis;
- bad habits;
- increased sweating;
- violation of hygiene rules;
- prolonged stressful situations.
Any of these factors contributes to a decrease in the body's defenses and triggers the viral particle multiplication mechanism. To determine from which warts appear on the hands, the dermatologist must do so after a diagnostic examination.
What is the danger
Warts are considered benign lesions. However, they can cause great discomfort as they tend to grow and spread quickly. For example, growths on the back of the hand can spread to the fingers, increase in size, and form multiple clusters.
The danger arises from accidental injury to the warts or from unsuccessful attempts to cauterize them with aggressive solutions. The damaged tumor may bleed, hurt, change color, size, and shape. And this is already a cause for serious concern, as it increases the risk of malignant transformation.
You can learn more about the causes and treatment of finger warts at your dermatologist appointment. Warts on the fingers: the causes and treatment of this pathology are treated by a dermatologist. Only a specialist knows how to cope with the problem and what must be done to get rid of neoplasms forever. Don't self-medicate, this can have unpredictable consequences. Timely seeking medical help will help to solve a delicate problem, prevent further spread of the virus and the formation of new warts.
Types of warts on the hands.
There are more than one hundred types of warts, which are caused by various modifications of HPV. What do warts look like on my hands? Photos of various types of neoplasms are featured on our website.
The following types of neoplasms are located on the skin and fingers:
Ordinary (vulgar)
Simple warts appear as dense, rounded, irregularly shaped nodules with a rough surface. They can be of different colors (from flesh to dark brown), size and located anywhere on the body (on the face, neck, head, legs, torso). In the area of the upper extremities, growths most often form on the back of the hand and fingers. A photo of warts on the hands gives a more complete picture of their structure and appearance.
Such neoplasms tend to coalesce. First, a large "maternal" wart appears on the skin, around which smaller formations form over time. If you remove it, the rest of the growths may disappear on their own. Vulgar warts are painless, they do not cause much discomfort (except for aesthetics).
A wart may appear on the finger next to the nail plate if the skin is injured during a manicure. But more often, such growths are formed in children and adolescents who bite their nails. Nail warts are quite large and cause discomfort when writing or doing physical work. They have deep roots that invade the layers of the dermis below the nail bed. As a result, the nail becomes thinner and gradually deteriorates. Warts themselves seem extremely unsightly, they are easy to damage, which threatens unwanted complications. In addition, growths on the fingers are visible to others and are perceived as a cosmetic defect.
A dermatologist will tell you how to remove a wart on a finger. Most often, experts advise to remove such formations. A person with warts on their hands represents a threat to the people around them; from it, you can catch the virus on contact.
Palmar (flat)
Such formations are a type of flat warts. More common in young people and elderly patients. They are formed in the area of constant mechanical stress and the highest pressure. Flat warts on the hands look like dense growths covered with a thick stratum corneum, slightly raised above the skin. They have a smooth surface, without irregularities and roughness, and deep roots that extend into the dermis. The formation of growths may be accompanied by mild itching. Palmar growths are single or grow, forming a kind of "mosaic" in the affected area.
The reason for the formation is the penetration of the papillomavirus. Transmission of the pathogen occurs by shaking hands or when it comes into contact with an infected surface. The treatment of warts on the palm, which grow in large groups, presents certain difficulties. Such neoplasms are prone to relapse, in addition, they can be painful and unpleasant when doing physical work. Its spread is facilitated by increased sweating and neglect of personal hygiene rules.
Flat warts can be mistaken for corns, so a correct diagnosis is important for effective treatment. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will decide how to get rid of flat warts on the hands and what methods of therapy will help prevent further spread of the virus.
Senile
Senile warts or age-related keratomas appear in older and older people (after 50 years). They look like keratinized pigmented plaques, the diameter of which can reach several centimeters. The shape of such formations is flat or convex, the structure is loose, since the tissues are saturated with secretions from the sebaceous glands. When scraping, the top layer peels off easily, leaving a swollen, bleeding surface underneath.
Unlike other neoplasms, the appearance of senile keratomas has nothing to do with the papilloma virus. The growths are formed due to the uncontrolled growth of the superficial layers of the epidermis. Therefore, you cannot get infected with senile warts. The main cause of keratomas is considered to be prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays and age-related changes.
First, a spot is formed on the surface of the skin, which practically does not differ from the color of the skin. Little by little, it grows, takes on a brown tint, and rises above the skin. The appearance of such papules resembles a thimble with grooves on top. With further growth, the formation takes on a characteristic plaque shape and becomes covered with a stratum corneum. Under the loose scales, multiple brushes are hidden, which are formed as a result of the blockage of hair follicles.
The main place of localization of senile growths is the open parts of the body (face, neck, hands). Most often, multiple plaques form on the back of the hand. They are characterized by long-term development, in isolated cases such formations disappear on their own. In other situations, a keratoma can transform into a cutaneous horn, a painful, cone-shaped growth.
How to treat warts, the formation of which is not associated with the papillomavirus? Senile keratomas can be large in diameter or form large clumps of small warts. Convex formations are easily damaged, increasing the risk of malignancy. These warts can develop into basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor any changes that occur with the neoplasm.
A dermatologist knows how to treat warts on the hands. If he finds suspicious formations that rapidly increase in size, change color, hurt or bleed, he should consult a specialist as soon as possible. Doubtful growths should be removed with a subsequent histological examination of the material.
Diagnostic methods
An experienced doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis based on the appearance of the wart. The visual examination is complemented by a dermoscopy, the study of a neoplasm with a special magnifying device. At high magnification, the growth structure and characteristic features are clearly visible, which makes it possible to differentiate it from other formations (pigmented nevi, papillomas, seborrheic keratoma). A PCR blood test will help confirm the viral nature of the neoplasms.
If you suspect a malignant transformation, consultation with an oncologist is necessary. The patient is referred for an ultrasound and siascopy procedure, during which the formation is scanned with a special spectrophotometric apparatus. After the diagnosis is made, the doctor selects a treatment regimen or decides how to get rid of a wart on a finger, hand, or other area of the upper extremities in a more radical way.
Warts on the hands: treatment.
The formation of warts is closely related to a decrease in immunity, therefore therapy should be comprehensive, aimed at eliminating the main problems. It is necessary not only to block the multiplication of the virus, eliminate growths, but also restore the functions of the immune system to avoid repeated relapses. The essence of the treatment procedures is the use of antiviral drugs, aggressive agents or hardware techniques that remove warts.
Treatment of warts and papillomas with medications.
When treating warts of a viral nature, the following groups of drugs are used:
- antiviral medications in the form of pills or injections;
- immunomodulatory drugs that restore the functions of the immune system;
- multivitamin complexes.
Antiviral agents for external treatment should be included in the complex treatment. The components of such drugs quickly penetrate the skin and prevent the virus from multiplying. The dosage of drugs and the regimen of administration are determined by the doctor, taking into account possible contraindications, the type of virus, the prevalence of neoplasms and other nuances. Senile keratomas are treated with surgery, cryotherapy, or electrocoagulation.
Particularly popular are hand wart remedies that contain harsh chemicals that cauterize and mummify the wart tissue. After consulting a doctor at home, you can use the following drugs:
Solution with celandine
It is an alkaline solution designed to remove warts, calluses or papillomas. The mechanism of action consists in the destruction of the structure of the neoplasm together with the root, for which it dies. Instructions for use for warts are simple: you need to apply the solution to the growth, previously steamed in hot water, with a special applicator. It is recommended to lubricate the surrounding skin with petroleum jelly or baby cream to protect it from chemical burns. The fact that the drug is working will be indicated by a burning sensation. Processing must be done on time, within 3-5 days. Darkening of the treated area indicates necrotization of accumulated tissue. In a week, the wart will die and fall off on its own.
Before using drugs, you should read the instructions carefully to avoid unwanted complications.
There are several effective home cryotherapy medications available. The essence of the method is to freeze the wart tissues with their subsequent necrotization. With its help, it is possible to get rid of medium-sized vulgar warts. To remove the neoplasm, you need to apply the drug promptly and let it dry completely. The treated area will turn white, accompanied by a slight burning sensation. Soon, the skin in the treated area will become red and a blister will form at the wart site. It will take 10-14 days to completely remove the build-up. During this time, the wart, along with the root, will die and fall off, and the renewed skin will remain in place.
Surgical methods
Treatment of warts on the fingers and other parts of the upper extremities by radical methods is considered the most effective. Consider the popular ways:
Electrocoagulation
This is a method of removing neoplasms with high-frequency current, during which the wart tissues are burned. Radiation seals the blood vessels at the same time, eliminating the risk of bleeding and infection. A wound remains at the site of the wart, which is soon covered with a scab. This method is best for removing small growths.
The disadvantages of electrocoagulation are the likelihood of scar formation and the inability to send tissue growth for histological examination. This method is very suitable for the removal of senile keratomas. To prevent the buildup from re-forming, at the end of the procedure, the base of the wart is cauterized.
Cryodestruction
The essence of this method is to freeze the tissues of the neoplasms with liquid nitrogen. It does not offer a 100% guarantee of the absence of subsequent relapses, therefore, after removing the frozen wart, a curettage is necessary: the wound is cleaned of the remains of necrotic masses, trying to remove the deep root. The procedure is quite effective, simple and inexpensive, it allows the elimination of growths in any part of the body. Among the disadvantages of the method, experts point out the possibility of damaging healthy tissues in case of accidental contact with liquid nitrogen.
Laser removal
This is one of the most modern, comfortable and safe procedures that guarantees the absence of relapses and unwanted complications. During the session, the laser beam evaporates the pathological tissues layer by layer, penetrating to a strictly specified depth. Precise instrumentation provides targeted action, eliminating the likelihood of damaging healthy skin. This is a bloodless procedure: the laser treatment coagulates the blood vessels and at the same time disinfects the surgical field.
The main advantages of the method are the absence of complications and relapses and a short rehabilitation period. If you are deciding how to remove a wart on a finger most effectively and painlessly, choose this method. The use of a laser guarantees the absence of scars and prevents further spread of the infection. A small scab remains at the site of the removed wart, which will fall off on its own after 7 to 10 days.
Radio wave surgery
This is the newest form of non-invasive surgery. It is absolutely painless and fast - removes build-up in just a few minutes. At the same time, it excludes the development of bleeding, the probability of infection and related complications. The energy from the high-frequency radio waves instantly evaporates the tissue, while simultaneously cauterizing the capillaries. In this case, there is no direct contact of the electrode with the skin surface. The impact is carried out at a strictly specified depth, the adjacent healthy tissues are not damaged. The use of a radio knife allows to avoid relapses, since it does not allow the spread of the infection by hematogenous route.
Surgery
The classic surgical intervention for wart excision is used when it is necessary to remove a large group of pathological neoplasms. The growths are removed under local anesthesia, with cosmetic stitches applied to the wounds. In the absence of complications, they are removed after 10 days. The extracted tissue should be sent for histological examination. To prevent relapses in the recovery period, general antiviral and immunostimulating therapy is carried out. The additional prognosis and the risk of recurrence will depend on the state of the immune system.
The earlier treatment for any type of warts is started, the greater the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Don't waste time and self-medicate. If any neoplasms appear, you should immediately contact a dermatologist and decide on the choice of the optimal therapy method.