Definition
In the medical field, "wart" is defined as a cutaneous protuberance, often painful and unaesthetic, of variable size; the warts are concentrated above all on the hands and feet (plantar warts), but can also involve the anal and genital area (condylomata acuminata).
Common warts (vulgar) → typical of the hands. They come in an irregular shape
Flat warts → small papules in relief, generally brown or yellowish. They are arranged on the face, back of the hands and legs
Plantar warts → The callous variant tends to grow on the sole of the foot
Causes
Warts are the result of an infection supported by the HPV ( Human Papilloma Virus ) virus : typical areas of proliferation are the showers and the humid and crowded environments. In fact, high temperature and humidity contribute to the replication of these pathogens. The infection can also occur simply by contact with another person's wart.
Symptoms
Often warts do not cause any symptoms; only rarely, and when they appear in particularly sensitive anatomical sites, warts can create pain and bleeding. Warts are benign microtumors, which only rarely degenerate into their malignant form.
Information on Warts - Drugs for the Treatment of Warts is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Warts - Drugs for the Treatment of Warts.
Medications and treatments
As analyzed during the discussion, warts are generally asymptomatic and are unlikely to cause complications; consequently, the administration of drugs is recommended exclusively in the exceptions, as well as in the case of particularly resistant and lasting warts, and in relapses.
If until a few years ago the warts were treated with electrocoagulation or minimally invasive surgery, these practices seem to be in disuse: in fact, it was observed that due to these techniques the possibility of permanent scarring and recurrence of recurrences are rather high, which could nullify the result obtained.
Only in exceptional cases, warts are eliminated with laser therapy.
When necessary, it is possible to treat the wart with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) or by applying specific drugs, such as lactic acid, salicylic acid, podophyllinic resins (for the treatment of anal and genital warts) directly on the lesion. Immunomodulatory, retinoid and antiviral drugs can also be used in therapy.
- Salicylic acid (eg Trans Versal): is the first-line keratolytic drug used for the healing of warts in the hands and feet. It is recommended to apply the product directly to the skin affected by the wart, 1-2 times a day. The drug is available in the form of liquid, cream, lotion or foam. Once a week, it is advisable to rub the wart with a lime, so as to remove excess skin. Salicylic acid is also available in combination with lactic acid (eg Kerafilmver Collod.) And copper acetate (eg Verel Collodio SOLUZ.).
- Silver nitrate (eg Argent N FN COLL): the drug is the silver salt of nitric acid, used in therapy for the treatment of warts of the hands and feet. Available in the specific applicator, it is recommended to place the instrument on the injured skin for a couple of minutes, every 24 hours. Do not repeat more than 6 applications. It is recommended to remove the superficial skin (dead cells) before proceeding with the next application. Wrap the area with a sterile gauze after applying the drug.
- Glutaraldehyde: another keratolytic substance with disinfectant action, indicated for the treatment of warts in the hands and feet. Possible as a 10% solution, the dosage involves applying the product directly to the wart, twice a day.
- Podophyllin resin: the drug is often associated with salicylic acid for topical application, especially for anal and external genital warts. The drug is a substance capable of blocking cellular mitosis: when used to treat bacterial infections, it is able to eradicate the infection. Consult your doctor.
- Liquid nitrogen: this substance is the protagonist of the technique called cryotherapy (or cold therapy). It is essential that the liquid nitrogen be handled by expert personnel, given its dangerousness. Cryotherapy is used to treat warts when the drugs described above are not beneficial to the patient who is affected. Cryotherapy can cause pain, swelling and hypersensitivity. Its effectiveness for the treatment of warts is comparable to that exercised by salicylic acid (topical application).
- Retinoic acid or tretinoin (eg Retin-A , Vesanoid) : these drugs are derivatives of vitamin A: topical application of these active ingredients (first line substances for acne treatment) is indicated to destroy the cells that form the wart. The drug works by promoting the desquamation of keratinocytes and stimulating cell turnover. The drug can sometimes be prescribed for oral administration. Do not expose yourself to the sun during retinoid treatment. Do not use during pregnancy and lactation: the drug is a teratogen.
- Bleomycin (eg. Bleomycin CRN, Bleomycin VTE): the drug belongs to the class of antivirals; since the warts originate from an infection supported by the HPV virus, the administration of this drug is indicated for the removal of the pathogen which, consequently, involves the healing of the wart. For the dosage, consult your doctor.
Imiquimod (eg. Aldara): the drug is an immunomodulatory substance, indicated both for the treatment of genito-anal warts and for common warts. The drug is available in cream (sachets of 250 mg containing 12.5 mg of active: imiquimod 5%): apply the product on the skin three times a week, for a maximum of 16 weeks. Stopping the drug does not guarantee immunity from warts.
