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Removal of warts by electrocoagulation
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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Warts are quite a serious problem for many people, especially when they are located on exposed parts of the body. Unpleasant looking growths worsen the appearance, become a cause of insecurity, so most of their owners seek, by all means, to get rid of unaesthetic nodules. Often for this patients choose such a procedure as electrocoagulation of warts. This is a modern cosmetic method, which is practiced not only in clinics, but also in specialized beauty salons.
What is the best way to remove warts: laser or electrocoagulation?
Laser removal of warts is very popular: the method involves targeted vaporization and coagulation of the pathological formation, without damage to healthy tissue and without the risk of blood loss and infection. Important: after exposure to the laser, the skin heals quickly, scars and scars are not formed. The procedure itself is quick and painless, takes only a couple of minutes.
Electrocoagulation of warts is an equally common method. It is universal, practically painless, and the rehabilitation period is simple and not long at all.
What is the best method to remove a wart? There is no fundamental difference between the procedures - they are both effective. It is necessary to proceed from what equipment is available in the clinic of your choice, what is the cost of the session, how competent the doctor who will perform the removal. In addition, it is advisable to consult with your family doctor: he will weigh all the pros and cons and give a competent recommendation. [1]
Indications for the procedure
Electrocoagulation is considered one of the most effective ways to get rid of various neoplasms and defects on the skin. The action of high-frequency electric current leads to volumetric temperature damage to the tissue. In the area of the removed growth forms a dry scab, and after its rejection remains barely visible trace - a spot devoid of pigment.
In general, doctors perform electrocoagulation not only for warts but also for other skin problems:
- viral papillomas;
- age-related keratomas;
- atheroma, acute condylomas;
- of molluscum contagiosum;
- angiomas, hemangiomas, vascular asterisks;
- problem acne;
- in areas of visible vascular dilation.
When a doctor refers a patient for electrocoagulation of a wart, it is most often done not for strict medical reasons, but to eliminate aesthetic discomfort or for preventive purposes. For example, electrocoagulation of plantar warts can be recommended because of constant friction and traumatization of neoplasms, which can sooner or later lead to inflammation and other unpleasant consequences. In such situations, it is better to visit a doctor in advance and consult on the removal of the problematic growth.
Preparation
Special preparation before electrocoagulation of the wart is not necessary. It is desirable only to adhere to some rules:
- Choose a time for the procedure that is not too hot, as the sweat produced can interfere with normal tissue healing;
- for the same reason, you should take a shower the day before electrocoagulation of the wart;
- It is advisable to wear loose light clothing that will not press on the removed wart, and it can be easily removed if necessary;
- On the eve of the procedure should not sunbathe, for the first time use any new foods and medicines, so that the skin is free of allergic reactions or irritation.
If the patient was allergic to any local anesthetic, it is necessary to inform the doctor about it, because for electrocoagulation of warts often use local anesthesia.
Technique of the electrocoagulation of warts
Electrocoagulation of a wart occurs in stages:
- doctor performs skin treatment on the area of the proposed electrocoagulation procedure, using an antiseptic solution;
- dry the treated area with a sterile dry cloth;
- selects an electrocoagulation nozzle suitable for the particular wart;
- if necessary, injects the wart area with an anesthetic solution;
- grabs the tip of the neoplasm with tweezers, while cauterizing the base of the neoplasm;
- If the warts are multiple, electrocoagulation removal is repeated the required number of times;
- the skin is re-treated with antiseptic.
After performing electrocoagulation of warts, the patient can go home and lead a normal life.
Contraindications to the procedure
Electrocoagulation of warts is not performed if:
- the patient has an intolerance to electrical procedures, or is allergic to local anesthetics;
- tests indicate disorders of the blood coagulation system;
- the wart is suspected to be malignant;
- the patient is diagnosed with acute infectious pathology, active herpes;
- the patient has a pacemaker;
- there is a rapid growth of benign tumors;
- systemic blood disorders, leukemia, epilepsy;
- is prone to photodermatosis;
- any decompensated conditions are detected;
- the patient is diagnosed with grade III cardiac or pulmonary insufficiency or advanced diabetes mellitus.
Consequences after the procedure
Electrocoagulation of moles involves a kind of peeling off of individual tissues with the help of an electric current. The method is quite precise, allows you to keep under control the depth of exposure, so damage to healthy tissue is completely excluded.
The electric current thermally damages the wart together with the root, and a dry crust is formed in its place. After the final healing can be seen a small trace: because of this, many people refuse to carry out the procedure of electrocoagulation in the face. However, such consequences are not terrible at all. The main thing that completely excludes infection and damage to blood vessels with further bleeding. If necessary, removed electrocoagulation wart is saved and transferred to specialists for histological analysis, to clarify the structural features of the growths.
Complications after the procedure
Complications after electrocoagulation of warts are extremely rare. A thin dry scab - crust - peels off and falls off on its own after about 1-1.5 weeks. Full recovery of the skin cover lasts a little longer, but after its completion from the former problem remains no trace.
Since electrocoagulation is not accompanied by a tissue incision, the risk of infection and blood poisoning is completely eliminated, and there is no risk of bleeding.
In rare cases, a barely noticeable spot or scar is left at the site of the procedure (if electrocoagulation of warts was performed on an area with thick skin - for example, on the foot).
Allergic reactions to local anesthetic preparations have been recorded in certain situations.
Care after the procedure
After electrocoagulation, a scab, or crust, forms at the site of the removed wart. It peels off on its own, without additional intervention, after about a week. In no case should you try to speed up this process by scraping or tearing off the crust. If you tear off the scab before the time, it is fraught with the introduction of infection into the wound, longer healing. It is not excluded and the formation of a noticeable scar or scar. To prevent this, the crust after electrocoagulation should not be touched.
It is also forbidden to wet the lesion or try to cover it up with cosmetics. Before taking a shower, the scab is sealed with a waterproof bactericidal plaster, which is then removed. Treat the wound only with the medications recommended by the doctor who performed the electrocoagulation.
How to treat the wound after wart removal by electrocoagulation?
The wound obtained after electrocoagulation of the wart can be treated with these remedies:
- Furacilin solution (one tablet diluted in 100 ml of hot water);
- Chlorhexidine;
- Baneocin;
- 5% manganese solution;
- Octenisept.
Treatment is carried out 2-3 times a day, necessarily - after taking a shower. It is undesirable to lubricate the wound with alcohol solutions, it is allowed to apply them in small amounts only on healthy skin around the crust.
If the place of electrocoagulation is red and swollen, or bleeding cracks appear, it is necessary to visit a doctor to prevent the development of complications.
Testimonials
On the vastness of the Internet you can find a lot of reviews about the procedure of electrocoagulation. With the help of this method, patients have successfully got rid of not only warts, but also acute condylomas, papillomas, birthmarks, hemangiomas, fibromas, molluscum contagiosum, age-related keratomas, atheroma, etc. Most users point out the undoubted advantages of the procedure, for example:
- treatment is effective and does not take long;
- does not cause severe pain or profuse blood loss;
- It is possible to control the depth of the electrode;
- The wound is easy to care for after the procedure;
- Healing is fast, without the formation of unaesthetic scars;
- The wart electrocoagulation procedure is relatively inexpensive, so it is accessible.
However, some patients also note the disadvantages of the method:
- electrocoagulation should not be used for multiple warts on the body;
- removal of warts located in the area of the foot and especially the sole is often painful and healing is prolonged;
- electrocoagulation of warts is not recommended for use in the face and neck area.
In general, the procedure is quite effective and is considered one of the most popular methods of getting rid of warts.