Effective medications and ointments for flat warts

Flat warts, the appearance of which doctors associate with non-oncogenic types of papillomavirus infection, are not considered a serious medical problem. But if you consider them only as a cosmetic defect and try to remove them using traditional methods in specialized salons, there is a risk that scars will remain in place of the warts, which still does not solve the problem. By destroying the superficial layers of the epidermis with virus-infected cells, such methods and means are not able to affect the HPV virions hidden in deeper tissues. Over time, they can provoke a relapse of the disease, i.e. the appearance of new warts in place of old ones or near them.

Doctors believe that for the complete treatment of flat warts, a comprehensive approach is needed, combining local damaging effects on the cells of the growth (drugs with a necrotic effect, removal of growths by physiotherapeutic methods), local and general immunotherapy (immunostimulating agents and interferons), the use of retinoids that inhibit the activity of the papilloma virus.

True, such serious treatment is not always required. Often, a young organism is able to cope with the infection on its own. Considering the fact that warts appear against the background of reduced immunity, and young people usually do not have that stock of chronic diseases that can make immunity consistently low, it is not surprising that flat juvenile warts in many cases go away on their own.

Sometimes it is enough to balance the nutrition of a child or a young person (it has been proven that some vitamins and microelements have antiviral activity), change the daily routine (ensure adequate rest and timely meals), stabilize the neuropsychic state of the young patient (taking natural sedatives, working with a psychologist) so that the problem of warts is solved. In other words, it is necessary to eradicate the factors that provoke a decrease in immunity, and do everything to normalize it (for example, take a course of immunostimulants, which will significantly speed up the process).

If the above treatment regimen assumes a certain time (usually several weeks), then the use of necrotizing ointments and solutions helps to reduce it to one week, and the use of physiotherapy helps to get rid of the hated growth in just one procedure. When flat warts appear on the face and hands, most negatively affecting the life and psycho-emotional state of the patient, not everyone is ready to endure and wait for several months until the immune system copes with the virus on its own. And how can it cope if the person is constantly under stress.

Seeing the seriousness of the problem, a dermatologist can offer a quick solution – removal of flat warts. Today, this can be solved in several ways without a surgical scalpel. But the choice of method for removing neoplasms must be approached very carefully and consciously, especially when it comes to warts on the face – a kind of business card of a person.

Previously, before the advent of innovative laser and radio wave technologies, skin growths were removed surgically or cauterized with electric current (electrocoagulation). Needless to say, surgical removal of warts, as well as electrocoagulation, are quite acceptable for single growths, while juvenile warts usually appear in groups and can occupy fairly large areas of skin. In addition, such manipulations often leave scars. And scars on the face of a girl or a boy are no more aesthetically pleasing than a scattering of small juvenile warts, which can be removed using more gentle methods.

One of the newer technologies for combating various skin neoplasms is cryodestruction, i.e. freezing the growth with liquid nitrogen, which creates such a low temperature in the pathological focus that it causes necrosis (death) of the wart tissue. This method can be successfully used to remove warts on the feet and hands, but it is not very suitable for treating warts on the face, since it can leave unsightly marks on the body.

During cryodestruction, it is very difficult to control the depth of tissue freezing, so the possibility of the formation of depressions and scars on the skin at the site of the former growth cannot be ruled out. And if we take into account the fact that juvenile warts rarely form singly, the patient's appearance can suffer quite a lot.

Other methods of treating neoplasms, such as laser therapy and radio wave removal of growths, help to avoid such complications. However, the latter method has not yet been mastered and is expensive, although the risk of leaving marks on the skin after the procedures is minimal, and the treatment effect is quite decent.

Laser removal of flat warts is considered more acceptable in terms of price and quality. Everyone knows that a laser, depending on the power and frequency of radiation, can both treat and remove tissue. At the same time, a doctor can always adjust these parameters depending on the needs of the therapy. With a professional approach to treatment, the likelihood of burns and scars on the skin is practically absent, so it is only important to choose an experienced specialist, which will make it possible to avoid complications.

Both treatment methods are acceptable for multiple warts, which the doctor treats one by one. The risk of relapse of the disease is small if the depth and force of the impact are calculated correctly. However, lasting results can be achieved if laser and radio wave treatment are used in combination with antiviral therapy, i.e. the use of drugs that reduce the activity of the virus.

Features of drug therapy

Juvenile flat warts are considered a temporary phenomenon, because in most cases they disappear within a couple of months. But it also happens that the body cannot cope with the virus on its own for a long time (six months or more), which causes serious damage to the psyche of the young patient. In this case, treatment is simply necessary so that a serious neuropsychiatric disease does not arise against the background of a seemingly harmless cosmetic problem.

The attending physician can suggest methods of treating flat warts, and this will be much better than searching for information on how to get rid of flat warts on the Internet. The fact is that the specialist sees the problem from the inside, and the patient - only its external manifestations. Self-medication can remove the wart, but what will be the consequences? Usually, these are scars from the use of aggressive solutions and relapses of the disease in the absence of treatment that increases immunity and the body's resistance to infection.

Understanding the viral nature of warts, a doctor will never advise limiting the use of necrotizing agents, which doctors treat with a certain degree of caution. After all, removing a wart only partially reduces the activity of the virus, destroying some of the virions that were on the surface. And the solutions themselves are completely unsafe for humans. In addition, traces from the use of some of them are similar to those that remain after electrocoagulation and cryodestruction, which also cause tissue death.

The most accessible and frequently used remedy of this kind is salicylic acid. This is a popular budget antiseptic used for both disinfection and treatment. But for quick removal of warts, you need to take a solution with an active substance concentration of at least 10 percent, which promotes not only disinfection, but also necrosis of wart tissue with regular use.

If you use 5% salicylic ointment, the treatment will be more gentle, but at the same time quite long (about 1 month). Salicylic acid is considered a good antiseptic and keratolytic, which makes it popular for removing various keratinizations. In the treatment of flat warts with a soft, delicate surface, the property of salicylic acid to slightly increase the local immunity of the skin is more valuable, which helps to gradually get rid of the growth. In addition, the drying effect of salicylic acid, which dries the wart, comes in handy, and it soon falls off.

Another antiseptic used to treat flat warts is zinc paste, which has an antimicrobial, enveloping and drying effect. Its effect against flat warts is not as strong as that of salicylic acid.

The product does not have an antiviral effect, but thanks to the protective film it creates, microbes and viruses cannot penetrate the skin. This is especially important if the warts are located in places with an increased risk of injury. For example, juvenile warts on the face of guys can be regularly damaged during shaving. Growths on the neck and feet can suffer from injuries caused by rough seams on clothes, collars, shoes. And neoplasms on the hands can be regularly injured in everyday life when doing ordinary household chores. This is where zinc ointment comes to the rescue, which will protect the wound from microbes and prevent its inflammation.

It is unlikely that you will be able to remove warts with zinc paste, but it will help to avoid bacterial complications during the treatment of growths with other means.

Alternatively, you can use salicylic-zinc ointment, which combines the antimicrobial properties of both components and has a more pronounced drying effect.

The popular Levomekol ointment can also be used to treat flat warts. However, the indications for its use do not mention warts, because it is an antibiotic-based ointment, more relevant for wound healing. The antibiotic itself (chloramphenicol) does not act on viruses, but another active ingredient of the drug (methyluracil) has a stimulating effect on cellular immunity, which is very important for combating external manifestations of a viral infection.

It is clear that you should not expect a quick effect from regular use of the ointment. And doctors themselves have a negative attitude towards such treatment. The fact is that they consider the use of such a potent remedy as an antibiotic for warts to be unjustified, especially if you use the ointment regularly for a long time. There are many other immunostimulating agents, treatment with which will be safer.

Since warts are a local manifestation of HPV, their treatment will be more effective if you use external agents. It is not surprising that ointments and gels have become very popular for use against flat warts and other manifestations of HPV. Most patients tend to use antiseptic ointments, and in particular salicylic ointments with a high concentration of the active substance and a pronounced drying effect. But doctors still insist on patience and the use of antiviral agents, which, although they do not act as quickly, give a longer effect due to the effect on the cause of the disease, and not on its consequence. Ideally, antiseptic and antiviral agents can be combined in one treatment regimen.

Budget antiviral drugs include oxolinic and tebrofen ointments. True, "Oxolin" in the form of an ointment in pharmacies is much easier to find, and many people have it in their home medicine cabinet as a known defense against respiratory viruses. Another thing is that it does not show any particular activity against the human papilloma virus, so it does not always help. Its task is to increase local immunity and create a protective film that prevents the penetration of new viruses.

"Tebrofen ointment" is considered an antiviral and antiseptic agent that successfully fights both viruses that cause flat warts and some bacterial agents. It is an immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory ointment that is actively used for juvenile warts.

A more expensive and effective remedy, which doctors prescribe more often than others, is the immunomodulatory and antiviral drug "Panavir". For the treatment of flat warts, it can be used in the form of a solution or gel. The solution is administered by injection, and the gel is quite suitable for home treatment. The drug is used both for the treatment of flat warts and for the prevention of relapse of the disease after their removal.

The following can be used as immunostimulants:

• "Ridoxon ointment" 0.5%,
• 2% "Bonavton ointment"
• ointment "Giporamin" 2%,
• Imiquimod and Aldara creams with pronounced antiviral action against HPV,
• solution for local use "Derinat",
• Betadine ointment (antiseptic with antiviral activity),
• multifunctional antiseptic complex "Malavit" in the form of a solution and cream-gel, which has proven itself well in the treatment of various types of warts.

To effectively combat papillomavirus infection in general, and not just its local manifestations, it is advisable to use not only external but also systemic drugs. The antiviral drug "Allokin-Alpha" has proven itself to be the best, naturally stimulating the production of a substance in the body that is active against the papilloma virus (interferon).

It is believed that any type of interferon can deactivate HPV in the human body, so all agents that stimulate their synthesis (and almost all immunostimulants act in this way) can be used to treat flat warts.

So far we have talked about non-specific immunotherapy, which consists of using agents that increase interferon production in the body. But there is another group of drugs that act faster, since the agents themselves are adapted interferon. Most often, such drugs are used to treat oncogenic papillomavirus infections in the form of injections and applications. But flat warts are caused by non-oncogenic types of HPV, so interferons are used infrequently for their treatment and mainly in the form of external agents, such as Viferon, Interferon, and Virogel ointments. In severe cases of warts that are resistant to treatment, interferons can be used in the form of rectal suppositories (Reaferon, Viferon, Laferobion, etc.).

Adaptogens can be prescribed in parallel - drugs that increase non-specific immunity (plant extracts of echinacea, Schisandra chinensis, Rhodiola rosea, eleutherococcus, ginseng, vitamin preparations, the drug "Immunal" based on echinacea juice). Their use helps to maintain the body's defenses at a high level, which will prevent the penetration of viruses into the body in the future and restrain the activity of virions present in the body.

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Effective and safe medicines

The fight against juvenile flat warts can be carried out in various ways and means, but given the localization of unaesthetic growths, the choice of drugs and methods for removing papillomatous neoplasms must be approached very carefully. It is important that the treatment of warts is not only effective, but also safe for the skin, i.e. does not leave unsightly marks on the body.

For example, concentrated salicylic acid solutions and other aggressive necrotizing solutions should not be used to remove growths on the face. But such a form of the drug as salicylic ointment 5%, 10% or 20% is quite acceptable for use in the face area, because its effect is more gentle than that of solutions, and it does not cause burns to the superficial layers of the skin.

Salicylic ointment has an exfoliating effect, i.e. it works as an effective peeling, gradually removing warts layer by layer. Due to the antiseptic action of salicylic acid, such a procedure does not cause inflammation of the growth and prevents its infection in case of injury to the wart.

The course of treatment for flat warts usually takes 1-2 weeks, during which the growths become less noticeable. The product should be applied in a thin layer directly to the bumps on the face, neck, arms and legs. The procedure is carried out every other day until the warts disappear.

For safety reasons, "Salicylic Ointment", which is usually used for home treatment, can only be used after a doctor has established the nature of the warts and concluded that the growths are not manifestations of skin cancer. Before using the ointment on any part of the body, patients diagnosed with diabetes, circulatory disorders or peripheral vascular disease, serious kidney pathologies should consult a doctor. The product cannot be used if there is increased skin sensitivity to salicylic acid or other components of the drug.

Side effects of the ointment include possible burning, itching, dry skin and peeling at the site of application. Allergic reactions are also possible. Do not apply the ointment to large areas of skin. If there is a large accumulation of warts, it is better to give preference to antiviral agents.

"Panavir" is an immunostimulant with pronounced antiviral activity, which is also often used to treat various types of warts. The drug is available in the form of an ointment (or rather a gel), an injection solution, and suppositories that can be used rectally for systemic treatment of HPV.

For the treatment of flat warts, it is more appropriate to use ointment and suppositories, and resort to injections only in severe cases of papillomavirus infection.

The active substance of the drug is the plant extract of nightshade tuberosus, which inhibits the reproduction of viral particles, reducing their activity in the human body. The gel is used externally, applying it to the area of wart accumulation 4-5 times a day. The course of treatment for juvenile warts lasts 5-10 days.

Suppositories for the treatment of HPV manifestations are used according to the following scheme: 3 suppositories are administered every other day (48 hours apart) and another 2 suppositories are administered at 72-hour intervals. A total of 5 suppositories are used per course of treatment.

The drug is well tolerated by most patients, rarely causing hypersensitivity reactions, which appear in the form of skin swelling, itching, etc. The contraindication to its use is precisely individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

Suppositories are not usually prescribed to patients under 18 years of age, while the gel is actively used to treat papillomas and herpetic eruptions in children. During pregnancy, preference is also given to an external remedy in the form of an ointment, using it very carefully after consulting a doctor. It is recommended to stop breastfeeding during the use of the drug, because nightshade is considered a poisonous plant.

Imiquimod cream is an immunomodulatory agent used to treat patients over 18 years of age. It stimulates the body to produce substances that provide an immune response to the invasion of a virus into the body.

The product should be applied only to warts, repeating the procedure every other day. Apply the ointment before bedtime and do not wash off for 6-9 hours. Use the product until the growths disappear.

The ointment should not be used to treat children and patients with hypersensitivity to imiquimod or other components of the drug.

Its use may be accompanied by itching and pain at the site of application, itching, peeling and swelling of the skin, headaches and dizziness, nausea, flu symptoms, increased fatigue. Body temperature may also increase.

When viruses enter the human body, they parasitize its cells, changing their properties and forcing them to divide uncontrollably. This process is called cell proliferation, and it is the basis for the formation of warts. Our body has a unique defense system, it produces specific proteins with antiviral activity that do not interfere with the activity of the virus and inhibit proliferation. And the main work falls on the protein interferon.

When the immune system is weakened, interferon production is insufficient, and its stimulation does not always give fast and good results. In this case, it is advisable to support local immunity by introducing interferon from the outside, for example, by applying it to areas of the skin with viral growths. The protein makes viral particles inactive and activates the tissue regeneration process at the site of application.

This is exactly how the popular ointment (gel) "Viferon" works, the active substance of which is adapted interferon alpha, which affects cell division under the influence of a virus, including the human papilloma virus. For the treatment of flat warts on the face, hands, feet and body, it is the gel form of the drug that is easy to use locally on open surfaces. And viral manifestations in the genital area and rectum are best treated with suppositories.

The ointment is applied mainly in the area of localization of warts, without worrying if the medicine gets on healthy skin, after all, interferon is not a foreign substance for our body. The procedure is carried out several times a day (usually 3-4 times), using a small amount of cream, which is applied to the skin and lightly massaged into it.

The course of treatment depends on how timely it was started. But most often it takes at least 1 week for the growths to begin to lighten and disappear. To increase the effectiveness of treatment, drugs of this type are recommended to be used in parallel with immunostimulants and adaptogens.

Interferon preparations for local use have few contraindications. Thus, the ointment "Viferon" is quite suitable for the treatment of patients starting from the age of one year. It should not be used only by those who have individual sensitivity to the drug, which in addition to interferon also contains auxiliary substances that enhance its effect. The ointment is approved for use even during pregnancy and lactation, which makes it possible to safely treat flat warts for young mothers.

In addition, when applied to the skin, the product does not cause any unpleasant sensations, which makes the treatment of external manifestations of HPV not a particularly burdensome task. There is no need to be afraid of the appearance of pain, itching, burning caused by tissue burns. Another advantage of the drug is the absence of marks on the skin in place of previous warts, which often happens after the use of necrotic agents and removal of growths.

But by limiting yourself to local treatment of HPV, the patient risks noticing new manifestations of the virus on the body after some time. To avoid this, the doctor can prescribe systemic drugs as part of the complex treatment, for example, "Allokin-alpha", which has proven itself well in the fight against the papillomavirus.

This drug is produced in the form of a powder, from which a medicinal solution is subsequently prepared, which is injected under the skin at the site of localization of the infection. Unlike ointments, the absorption of the active substance of the drug (oligopeptide alloferon) into the blood is much higher. Penetrating into the blood, alloferon stimulates the production of its own interferon and helps the cells of the immune system to recognize and destroy cells altered by the virus.

Before using the medicine, the ampoule with powder is dissolved in 1 ml of saline solution (other solvents are not allowed) and injected subcutaneously into the area of localization of warts and papillomas, which are recommended to be additionally lubricated with antiviral ointments on top. The number of injections and the frequency of their administration (and on average this is 6-9 injections with an interval of 2-3 days) is determined by the doctor individually.

"Allokin-alpha", like the ointment "Viferon", is quite well tolerated by the majority of patients. Only occasionally there are reports of dizziness or general weakness against the background of the use of the drug. In this case, during the period of treatment with the drug, you should not engage in activities that require increased attention and caution.

High absorption of the drug and its specific effects impose certain restrictions on its use. Thus, the drug is not recommended for patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases in the active stage. It is not used to treat children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, although no negative impact on the growing body was registered during drug testing. It is clear that such treatment is also not suitable for people with intolerance to alloferon and other components of the drug.

If you treat flat warts with antiviral therapy, it is difficult to predict how long such treatment will take. Everything depends on the immunity and characteristics of the human body. This also explains the fact that some patients have to try different methods and means to achieve a positive result. Sometimes the treatment drags on for a long time and ends with the removal of growths in a beauty salon or clinic or the use of the same necrotizing and exfoliating agents.

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