Why is it a wart and what to do?

Warts: Many people have come across these benign, but very unaesthetic growths on their 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 with enough persistent and constant? What does it say and should I panic?

Can a wart itch?

Is it normal if the wart area starts to itch? Indeed, this happens, and it does not always mean pathology.

Let's see what it feels like. This is a kind of skin reaction that occurs when irritation of the nerve endings located in the skin.

The mechanism of an itchy sensation is due to a signal from the skin nerve receptors, peripheral nerve fibers or the central nervous system. The common “mediator” of an itchy sensation is the substance histamine (which is why the first anti-itch drug always becomes an antihistamine).

Why a wart can itch:

• the wart is scratched during its growth, increase in size;
• the wart can itch with a significant deepening of it into the layers of the skin (namely, into the epidermis, since the corresponding receptors are located just in this layer);
• itching can be neurotic (if the nerve endings are damaged - for example, if you tried to remove the wart yourself);
• the wart may itch after mechanical damage (at the stage of tissue healing);
• itching can be psychogenic (if a person constantly thinks about a wart, worry about its appearance, focuses attention on it).

A wart itches when it is too dry, when an infection is added, on the background of allergies, in liver diseases or hormonal disruptions, as well as during treatment with certain medicines (for example, antiviral drugs).

Causes of the itching in the wart

The most common causes of itching warts include:

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

Immediately it should be noted that malignant degeneration of warts are relatively rare, so the most common reason doctors call an increase in warts in size.

In order to establish exactly how dangerous the fact that the wart is itching, 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 growth;
• the appearance of redness, swelling around the wart;
• general disturbance of the condition (fever, loss of appetite, insomnia, etc.).

Remember: maybe some time ago you damaged a wart. After injury, the growth will heal and, accordingly, itch. In addition, the itch can periodically disturb if the neoplasm is located in places subject to friction, pressure, and so on — for example, on the feet, palmar surfaces of the hands, in the neck (collar) area.

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Risk factors

Risk factors that 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, cirrhosis, oncology);
• a sharp weakening of the immune system, infectious and inflammatory diseases;
• tendency to neurosis, phobias, as well as various mental disorders.

[2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8],

Symptoms of the itching in the wart

A virus can be present in the human body for a long time and does not show itself by any signs - either external or internal. Such a calm state can last for many years. If the wart appears, and even begins to itch, then this indicates an increase in viral activity and a rapid multiplication of the infection.

Ordinary warts can affect a person regardless of his age. It is often possible to notice that warts are scratched on the hand of young people, teenagers. Small elevations most often affect the interdigital space on the hands, the back surface of the hands, and more rarely the area of the palms or nail bed. The size of the growth depends on how long it was formed, as well as on the speed of its development.

Warts on the legs itch most often, as more often than others are exposed to friction, irritation and damage. Such formations are found mainly on the heels, toe 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 alone, or in combination with other similar elements.

Sometimes there are warts and itching in places where the skin turns into mucous. Such places are the genitals, the area of the anus, the lips and mucous membranes of the oral cavity, the conjunctiva of the eyes. If the wart is itching in these zones, then it threatens with serious complications, due to the high probability of formation of erosions and ulcers. When combing disturbing growths appear cracks, a secondary infection joins, an inflammatory process develops.

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

When the patient notes that vulgar warts have reddened and itchy, this can happen when the virus is activated, and on any part of the body. The usual type of vulgar warts is a grayish-pink growth that is not particularly noticeable against the background of healthy skin. Most often, they are determined when probing: small elevations have a rough surface. The reason that the wart resumed its growth, should establish a dermatologist.

Diagnostics of the itching in the wart

If the wart is scratched, then modern diagnostic methods will help to avoid its malignant transformation and will allow to solve the problem in a timely manner. Any changes on the part of the wart is a reason for immediate contact with such medical specialists as a dermatologist or a dermato-oncologist. The doctor will examine the suspicious growth, after which, if he considers it necessary, he will appoint a number of additional studies - for example, he will perform a dermatoscopy using a special apparatus. Depending on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor will advise you to observe the wart, or simply remove it.

Patients with a large number of warts on the body may be recommended throughout life to be observed by a qualified dermato-oncologist: 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 further prescribe a PCR study. We are talking about the method of polymer chain reaction, which is able to estimate the viral concentration in the patient's blood.

In addition, a biopsy is often prescribed, which helps in determining the location of the tissues and their layered structure. A biopsy with histology can very clearly determine the prognosis of a wart that itches, as well as assess the degree of danger of its cancer degeneration.

[9], [10], [11]

Differential diagnosis

Differentiate warts, which itch, with such pathologies:

• keratoma - age keratinization of the upper layers of the epidermis;
• molluscum contagiosum - a viral lesion that is caused by a type of smallpox virus;
• warty lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory process;
• basalioma - tumor process in the basal layer of the skin epithelium;
• wartful nevus - mole, in appearance resembling a wart;
• papular syphilis - skin manifestation of syphilis;
• syringoma is a benign sweat gland tumor.

Also, if the wart is scratched, we should not exclude its malignant degeneration: the exact answer to the question is given only by a complete diagnosis of the neoplasm.

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

• if the wart is intensely enlarged;
• cracks are formed on the surface of the growth;
• the wart is not only itchy, but it hurts, burns, pricks;
• on the periphery of the wart there are changes in the form of edema, redness;
• borders of the wart became unclear, blurred;
• the growth color has changed;
• the wart began to bleed.

In addition to these changes, it is important to pay attention to the nearest lymph nodes: in the cancerous process, they are usually enlarged and thickened, but painless.

[12], [13], [14], [15]

Treatment of the itching in the wart

If the wart is itchy, then the first thing the doctor suggests is removal of the tumor. At the same time, treatment with antiviral drugs (which inhibit the activity of papillomavirus) and immunostimulants (to strengthen the immune defense) can be recommended.

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

• Destruction method. In turn, this method is divided into the physical removal of a problem wart (surgically) and chemical removal (with acids, solcoderm, condyllin, etc.).
• Cytotoxic treatment. Such therapy involves the use of cytotoxic drugs - Podofillina, Podofillotoksina.
• Immunostimulation. This method allows you to strengthen the immune defense and prevent the development of the virus in the body. Usually prescribe various interferons, Pyrogenal, etc.

Medicines

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

The additional prescription of immunostimulating drugs is due to their ability to increase local immune protection. Such drugs stimulate the reaction of immune cells that inhibit the development of human papillomavirus - an infection that in most cases causes the growth of a wart.

Among the main immunostimulating drugs can be distinguished Pyrogenal - a tool that is actively involved in the mechanism of strengthening the nonspecific protective system. Pyrogenal is cut around the area around the problem wart according to the individual treatment regimen. Side effects are local in nature, hypersensitivity reactions may occur.

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

Side effects of such treatment may be headache, dizziness, feeling of weakness. In general, therapy is well received by the body, and adverse symptoms occur extremely rarely.

[16], [17]

Alternative treatment for problem warts

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

Of course, we would recommend not to take risks and still see a doctor. For general reference, we give several alternative options that can be applied if the wart is itchy.

• Celandine juice - perhaps the most accessible and common way to get rid of the problem with a wart. Fresh sap plants need to handle growth from 3 to six times a day, every day, until such time as he disappears.
• Garlic juice - this method is no less effective, but can deliver a little discomfort in the form of a barely perceptible burning sensation. The garlic lobule is cut into two halves, and the pruritic wart is smeared with a slice 4 times a day - until the problem leaves you alone.
• Kalanchoe juice is treated with a problematic growths every day in the evening, or a cut of the plant leaf is fixed at the site of the wart. As a rule, education disappears within two weeks.

[18], [19], [20]

Supplementary Herbal Therapy

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

However, some medicinal herbs can also 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 made on the basis of the dry rhizome of dandelion, horsetail and lemon balm plants, plantain, nettle. You can collect the drug collection, consisting of equal parts of these herbs. Three tablespoons of this collection pour 1 liter of boiling water and insist under the lid until it cools completely. The tool is taken orally for half an hour before meals for 3 tbsp. L at one time, all - three times a day. The duration of treatment is 2 weeks.

This collection has a good effect:

• 1 tsp tricolor violets;
• 2 tsp. Colors of clover, Hypericum, calamus rhizomes, dill seed;
• 3 tsp. Crushed leaf of plantain.

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

Each described type of herbal treatment should be conducted in courses of 2-3 per year. Only in this way it will be possible to prevent the appearance of papillomas, and the existing warts will not itch or bother.

[21], [22], [23]

Homeopathy

Experts in the field of homeopathy say: if the wart is itchy, then this is the result of a serious malfunction in the body. Homeopathic treatment provides a completely different method of exposure, in contrast to traditional therapy. The drugs offered by homeopaths are sent for a complex effect in order to eliminate the immediate cause of the formation of a wart. At the same time, the immune system is strengthened, the skin is cleansed.

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

The most effective homeopathic remedies are such:

• Antimonium Krudum - suitable for removing tough warts on the legs, arms, fingers.
• Kaustikum - removes warts in the face, neck and hands.
• Argentum nitricum - is prescribed for warts, with their location on the mucous membranes.
• Thuja - suitable under any circumstances, when the wart itches.

Surgical treatment problems

The help of the surgeon is required in the overwhelming majority of cases when the patient is worried about a wart. When it begins to itch, it is in any case better to remove it immediately, without waiting for the development of complications.

The most popular options for removing an itchy growth are:

• The method of cryodestruction - removal of warts using low temperatures, under the influence of liquid nitrogen. The procedure is directed to the deep freezing of tissues: they later die and are rejected.
• Removal by the laser method is the aimed “evaporation” of the pathological layers of tissue by laser beams.
• Radio wave method - direction to the wart of waves of a certain frequency (other method names are radio knife, radio wave scalpel, etc.).
• The method of electrocoagulation - getting rid of neoplasms using high-frequency current.
• Surgical excision with a scalpel - is used if the wart is scratched, and at the same time it is of relatively large size, or there is a suspicion of its malignant degeneration.

In addition to these methods, a disturbing neoplasm is often “removed” by various chemical solutions with an acidic or alkaline aggressive composition. However, as practice shows, if the wart is scratched, then it is better to remove it in the clinic in one of the ways listed above. The doctor will select the optimal procedure, taking into account contraindications, as well as the type, size and location of the problematic growth.

Prevention

The basic rule for the prevention of such an unpleasant condition in which a wart itches, is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to fully support your own immunity, which tend to weaken against the background of a lack of sleep, avitaminosis, stress, etc.

Additional recommendations may be:

• follow good hygiene rules, wash your hands when you come home, as well as after going to the toilet or before eating;
• if the skin is damaged (even minimal), treat the wounds with antiseptic solutions;
• eat food enriched with vitamins;
• do not wear someone else's shoes, clothes, do not 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 sex.

If the wart has already appeared, then you should not try to get rid of it yourself: it would be wiser to consult a doctor. In case of accidental damage to the formation, it is necessary to treat it with an antiseptic solution, and at the first opportunity to make an appointment with a specialist to remove the problematic growth.

[24], [25], [26]

Forecast

Most dermatologists believe the prognosis for an itchy wart is favorable: the tumor is advised to be removed, after which the patient forgets about the problem forever.

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

• infection in the damaged wart;
• formation of unaesthetic scars;
• violation of the formation of pigment in the area of growth;
• bleeding, up to heavy bleeding;
• accelerating growth of the wart, a rapid increase in size;
• malignancy (malignant transformation).

Doctors are unanimous: if the wart is itching, then it is better not to hesitate and remove it. Such a procedure will take quite a bit of time, will not cause significant discomfort, but the problem will be irretrievably gone.

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