Why does a wart itch and what to do?

Warts: many people have encountered these benign, but very unaesthetic growths on the skin. Most often, they are removed precisely because of cosmetic inconveniences, since they rarely bother - for example, they never hurt. But what to do if a wart suddenly itches, and quite annoyingly and constantly? What does this mean, and should you panic?

Can a wart itch?

Is it normal for the wart area to itch? Indeed, this happens, and it does not always indicate pathology.

Let's figure out what the sensation of itching is. It is a kind of skin reaction that occurs when the nerve endings located in the skin are irritated.

The mechanism of the itching sensation is caused by a signal coming from cutaneous nerve receptors, peripheral nerve fibers or the central nervous system. The general "mediator" of the itching sensation is the substance histamine (that is why the first drug to relieve itching is always an antihistamine).

Why a wart may itch:

• the wart itches as it grows and increases in size;
• a wart can itch when it penetrates significantly into the layers of the skin (namely, into the epidermis, since the corresponding receptors are located precisely in this layer);
• itching can be neurotic (if the nerve endings are damaged - for example, if you tried to remove a wart yourself);
• a wart may itch after mechanical damage (at the stage of tissue healing);
• itching can be psychogenic (if a person constantly thinks about the wart, worries about its appearance, focuses attention on it).

A wart itches when it is excessively dry, when an infection occurs, due to an allergy, liver disease or hormonal imbalances, and also during treatment with certain medications (for example, antiviral drugs).

Causes itchy wart

The most common causes of itchy warts include:

• intensive growth of neoplasm;
• development of complications in the form of infection, degeneration, etc.

It should be noted right away that malignant degeneration of warts occurs relatively rarely, therefore, doctors say that the most common cause is an increase in the size of the wart.

To determine exactly how dangerous the fact that a wart itches is, you should pay attention to other possible signs of pathology:

• the appearance of pain (at rest, with light pressure, etc.);
• sudden change in color of the growth;
• the appearance of redness and swelling around the wart;
• general deterioration of condition (increased temperature, loss of appetite, insomnia, etc.).

Remember: perhaps some time ago you damaged a wart. After damage, the growth will heal and, accordingly, itch. In addition, itching may periodically bother if the neoplasm is located in places subject to friction, pressure, etc. - for example, on the feet, palmar surfaces of the hands, in the neck (collar) area.

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Risk factors

The following risk factors increase the likelihood that a wart will itch:

• tendency to allergic reactions, hypersensitivity of the body;
• frequent or prolonged exposure of the skin to ultraviolet rays;
• excessive dryness of the skin, the presence of other dermatological problems (eczema, psoriasis, urticaria);
• severe pathologies (diabetes, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, oncology);
• a sharp weakening of the immune system, infectious and inflammatory diseases;
• a tendency towards neuroses, phobias, and various mental disorders.

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Symptoms itchy wart

The virus can be present in the human body for a long time and not reveal itself by any signs - neither external nor internal. Such a calm state can last for many years. If a wart appears and even begins to itch, then this indicates an increase in viral activity and rapid proliferation of the infection.

Common warts can affect a person regardless of his age. It is often possible to notice that warts on the hand of young people and teenagers itch. Small elevations most often affect the interdigital space on the hands, the back of the hands, and somewhat less often - the area of the palms or nail bed. The size of the growth depends on how long ago it formed, as well as on the speed of its development.

Warts on the feet itch most often, as they are more often than others subject to friction, irritation and damage. Such formations are found mainly on the heels, finger pads, on the foot and between the toes. The surface of the wart is rough to the touch, it has the appearance of a small skin growth, located singly or in combination with other similar elements.

Sometimes warts appear and itch in places where the skin turns into a mucous membrane. Such places are the genitals, the anal area, the lips and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, the conjunctiva of the eyes. If a wart itches in these areas, it threatens serious complications due to the high probability of erosions and ulcers. When scratching the disturbing growths, cracks appear, a secondary infection joins in, and an inflammatory process develops.

But if the skin around the wart itches, then the neoplasm is not always “to blame”. The skin can itch due to an allergic process, due to excessive dryness, or other dermatological problems. The doctor will give an exact answer to the question after examining and diagnosing the growth.

When a patient notices that vulgar warts have become red and itchy, this can happen when the virus is activated, and on any part of the body. The usual appearance of vulgar warts is grayish-pink growths, not particularly noticeable against the background of healthy skin. Most often, they are determined by palpation: small elevations have a rough surface. A dermatologist should determine the reason that the wart has resumed its growth.

Diagnostics itchy wart

If a wart itches, modern diagnostic methods will help to avoid its malignant transformation and will allow to solve the problem in a timely manner. Any changes in the wart are a reason to immediately contact medical specialists such as a dermatologist or dermato-oncologist. The doctor will examine the suspicious growth, after which, if he deems it necessary, he will prescribe a number of additional studies - for example, he will conduct a dermatoscopy using a special device. Depending on the diagnostic results, the doctor will advise to observe the wart or simply remove it.

Patients with a large number of warts on the body may be advised to be monitored by a qualified dermato-oncologist throughout their life: in such a situation, it is important to conduct systematic preventive examinations at least twice a year.

To confirm the viral etiology of the wart, the doctor may additionally prescribe a PCR test. This is a polymerase chain reaction method that can assess the viral concentration in the patient's blood.

In addition, a biopsy is often prescribed, which helps in determining the features of the tissue arrangement and their layered structure. A biopsy with histology can very clearly determine the prognosis of an itchy wart, as well as assess the degree of danger of its cancerous degeneration.

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Differential diagnosis

Itchy warts are differentiated from the following pathologies:

• keratoma – age-related keratinization of the upper layers of the epidermis;
• Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection caused by a type of smallpox virus;
• warty type of lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory process;
• basalioma is a tumor process in the basal layer of the skin epithelium;
• verrucous nevus - a mole that resembles a wart in appearance;
• papular syphilide is a cutaneous manifestation of syphilis;
• Syringoma is a benign tumor of the sweat glands.

Also, if the wart itches, its malignant transformation should not be ruled out: only a complete diagnosis of the neoplasm gives an accurate answer to the question.

As a rule, suspicion of malignancy arises in the following situations:

• if the wart increases rapidly;
• cracks form on the surface of the growth;
• the wart not only itches, but also hurts, burns, and tingles;
• changes in the form of swelling and redness are observed along the periphery of the wart;
• the borders of the wart became unclear and blurred;
• the color of the growth has changed;
• the wart began to bleed.

In addition to the above changes, it is important to pay attention to the nearest lymph nodes: in the case of cancer, they are usually enlarged and hardened, but painless.

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Treatment itchy wart

If a wart itches, the first thing the doctor will suggest is to remove the growth. At the same time, treatment with antiviral drugs (which inhibit the activity of the papillomavirus) and immunostimulants (to strengthen the immune defense) may be recommended.

So, what to do if a wart itches? Of course, consult a doctor - a dermatologist. In general, in order to successfully cope with the problem, there are several treatment options in medicine:

• Destruction method. In turn, this method is divided into physical removal of the problematic wart (surgically) and chemical removal (acids, solcoderm, condyline, etc.).
• Cytotoxic treatment. This therapy involves the use of cytotoxic agents - Podophyllin, Podophyllotoxin.
• Immunostimulation. This method allows you to strengthen your immune defense and prevent the development of the virus in the body. Usually, various interferons, Pyrogenal, etc. are prescribed.

Medicines

When a wart itches, then in the absence of contraindications, removal of the problematic formation is welcomed. At home, trichloroacetic acid is most often used for a long time. Another remedy that is also considered quite effective is 5% ammonium mercury ointment.

The additional use of immunostimulating medications is explained by their ability to increase local immune protection. Such medications stimulate the reaction of immune cells, which inhibit the development of the human papillomavirus, an infection that in most cases causes warts to grow.

Among the main immunostimulating drugs, Pyrogenal can be singled out - a drug that actively participates in the mechanism of strengthening the non-specific defense system. Pyrogenal is injected into the area around the problematic wart according to an individual treatment plan. Side effects are local in nature, a hypersensitivity reaction may occur.

Human leukocyte interferon is a biologically active substance that activates the body's overall resistance. This drug is used as a component of complex therapy in the treatment of various viral infections, including the papilloma virus. Leukocyte interferon is administered as intramuscular injections of 500,000 units, several times a week (the frequency of administration is determined individually). The treatment course usually includes ten injections.

Side effects of such treatment may include headache, dizziness, and a feeling of weakness. In general, the therapy is well accepted by the body, and side effects occur extremely rarely.

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Folk treatment of problematic warts

Modern treatment methods can quickly rid a person of any problem with a wart - including if it itches and bothers. However, there are many people who prefer folk methods of treatment - for various reasons.

Of course, we would recommend not to take risks and still see a doctor. For general information, we will provide several folk options that can be used if the wart itches.

• Celandine juice is perhaps the most accessible and common way to get rid of the problem with a wart. The growth should be treated with fresh plant juice from 3 to 6 times a day, every day, until it falls off.
• Garlic juice – this method is no less effective, but can cause a little discomfort in the form of a barely noticeable burning sensation. Cut a clove of garlic into two halves, and smear the itchy wart with the cut 4 times a day – until the problem leaves you alone.
• Kalanchoe juice - the problematic growth is treated with it every evening, or a cut of the plant leaf is fixed on the site of the wart. As a rule, the formation falls off after two weeks.

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Complementary herbal treatment

Unfortunately, folk methods can successfully remove a wart, but do not help to cure the presence of the papillomavirus in the body. Therefore, new warts may appear in the future, which can itch and cause a lot of inconvenience.

However, some medicinal herbs can solve this problem: herbal treatment should be repeated several times a year, following all the nuances of the recipe.

The papillomavirus is "afraid" of preparations prepared on the basis of dry dandelion rhizome, horsetail and lemon balm plants, plantain, nettle. You can collect a medicinal collection consisting of equal parts of these herbs. Three tablespoons of such a collection are poured with 1 liter of boiling water and infused under a lid until completely cooled. The remedy is taken orally half an hour before meals, 3 tablespoons at a time, a total of three times a day. Duration of treatment is 2 weeks.

This collection also has a good effect:

• 1 tsp. tricolor violet;
• 2 teaspoons each of clover flowers, St. John's wort, calamus rhizome, and dill seed;
• 3 tsp. crushed plantain leaf.

Pour 2 tbsp of the resulting mixture with one liter of boiling water, leave to infuse until cool. Drink 200 ml three times a day between meals. The course of therapy is at least three months.

Each of the described types of herbal treatments should be carried out in courses, 2-3 per year. Only in this way can the appearance of papillomas be prevented, and existing warts will not itch and bother.

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Homeopathy

Homeopathy experts claim that if a wart itches, it is the result of a serious malfunction in the body. Homeopathic treatment involves a completely different method of action, unlike traditional therapy. The drugs offered by homeopaths are directed for complex action, with the aim of eliminating the immediate cause of the wart formation. At the same time, immunity is strengthened, the skin is cleansed.

A homeopathic doctor never prescribes medications "blindly": this happens only during an individual consultation. The choice of remedy depends not only on whether the wart itches or not, but also on the general condition of the patient, his physique, and the presence of other background diseases.

The most effective homeopathic remedies are considered to be the following:

• Antimonium crudum - suitable for removing hard warts on the feet, hands, fingers.
• Causticum – removes warts on the face, neck and hands.
• Argentum nitricum is prescribed for warts located on mucous membranes.
• Thuja is suitable in any circumstances when a wart itches.

Surgical treatment of the problem

The help of a surgeon is required in the vast majority of cases when a patient is bothered by a wart. When it starts to itch, it is better to remove it immediately in any case, without waiting for complications to develop.

The most popular options for removing itchy growths are:

• The cryodestruction method is the removal of warts using low temperatures, under the influence of liquid nitrogen. The procedure is aimed at deep freezing of tissues: subsequently they die and are rejected.
• Laser removal is a targeted “evaporation” of pathological tissue layers using laser beams.
• Radio wave method – directing waves of a certain frequency to the wart (other names for the method are radio knife, radio wave scalpel, etc.).
• Electrocoagulation method – getting rid of neoplasms using high-frequency current.
• Surgical excision with a scalpel is used if the wart itches and is relatively large in size, or if there is a suspicion of its malignant degeneration.

In addition to the above methods, the disturbing neoplasm is often "removed" with various chemical solutions with an acidic or alkaline aggressive composition. However, as practice shows, if the wart itches, it is better to remove it in a clinic using one of the methods listed above. The optimal procedure will be selected by the doctor, taking into account contraindications, as well as the type, size and localization of the problematic growth.

Prevention

The main rule for preventing such an unpleasant condition, in which the wart itches, is to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to support your own immunity in every possible way, which tends to weaken against the background of sleep deficiency, vitamin deficiencies, stress, etc.

Additional recommendations may include:

• strictly follow hygiene rules, wash your hands upon arrival home, as well as after using the toilet or before eating;
• in case of skin damage (even minimal), treat the wounds with antiseptic solutions;
• eat foods enriched with vitamins;
• do not wear other people’s shoes, clothes, or use other people’s household items;
• try to wear clothes and shoes made from natural materials;
• Be careful when choosing a sexual partner, avoid casual and promiscuous sexual relations.

If a wart has already appeared, you should not try to get rid of it yourself: it would be wiser to consult a doctor. If the growth is accidentally damaged, it should be treated with an antiseptic solution, and at the first opportunity, make an appointment with a specialist to remove the problematic growth.

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Forecast

Most dermatologists consider the prognosis for an itchy wart to be favorable: the growth is recommended to be removed, after which the patient forgets about this problem forever.

If you try to influence the formation on your own, the risk of complications increases, for example:

• introducing infection into a damaged wart;
• formation of unaesthetic scars;
• disruption of pigment formation in the area where the growth is localized;
• bleeding, up to severe bleeding;
• acceleration of wart growth, rapid increase in size;
• malignancy (malignant transformation).

Doctors are unanimous in their opinion: if a wart itches, it is better not to delay and remove it. Such a procedure will take very little time, will not cause significant discomfort, but the problem will go away forever.

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