Filamentous warts (acrochords) are benign, fleshy growths on the surface of the skin that appear in those who have been infected with the human papillomavirus.
The names of any skin formations are usually given depending either on the appearance of the so-called cosmetic defect, or on its location on the human body. Thus, filiform warts look like elongated processes of flesh. Most often they grow on the face, mainly on the eyelids or lips. In some cases, they are found on the neck, in the armpits or on certain parts of the legs.
Infection with the human papillomavirus stimulates the overgrowth of the upper layers of the skin, resulting in the formation of disgusting neoplasms. They must be removed not only because of their unattractive appearance, but also because such warts are extremely contagious. Apart from these factors, such skin formations do not bring the patient any discomfort, do not hurt or itch. They are easily treatable. It is important, however, notpostpone therapy or surgery.
Symptomatics
Filiform warts are characterized by the following features:
- fleshy growths that appear on the face, neck and the above areas of the body;
- benign nature of growths;
- long form;
- no complaints of patient discomfort;
- painless;
- tendency to spread to other areas of the skin.
In rare cases, there are specific symptoms of pathology - itching and bleeding.
If warts grow near skin folds or where clothing rubs against the skin, they can become painful and inflamed.
Reasons
Filiform warts (papillomas, or acrochords) appear as a result of infection of the body with the human papillomavirus. However, not all types of this virus cause an increase in skin neoplasms. Strains 1, 2, 4, 27 and 29 are responsible for the spread of warts. There are several ways to transmit the infection.
Contact with a virus carrier
- One touch to someone else's viral wart is enough to get HPV.
- The patient can inadvertently contribute to the spread of benign growths by successively touching the growths and other (free from warts) areas of the body.
- If the integrity of the skin surface is compromised, the risk of infection is greatly increased.
Clothes, footwear and personal care items
- Sharing clothing with an infected person spreads the virus. It is especially dangerous to share clothes that touch the warts.
- It is strongly discouraged to wear the same shoes.
- Towels and face and body care products should not be shared.
- Also, the human papillomavirus can live on a wide variety of surfaces, including shower floors and pool sides.
Risk factors
Circumstances are known to greatly increase the risk of contracting the infection responsible for filiform warts. Papillomas appear in a short time in those who are exposed to the following risk factors:
- damage to the skin (cuts, abrasions);
- weakened immune system;
- long exposure to HPV;
- close contact with a human papillomavirus carrier;
- warm and moist skin.
Treatment
There are many ways to treat this pathology. Thus, active substances with a keratolytic effect are used as topical agents. They help loosen the epidermis and remove unwanted formations. These substances include:
- salicylic acid (it will take several times to put it on the wart so that the latter comes off completely);
- trichloroacetic acid;
- 5-fluorouracil.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a procedure in whichwhich fleshy skin formations are exposed to liquid nitrogen. After the end of therapy, small blisters may appear on the affected area.
Doctors recommend that their patients wear bandages on areas where filiform warts used to be. The treatment is considered complete after the removal of dead skin.
If the growth has reached a large size, it will take several sessions of treatment with liquid nitrogen before the wart completely disappears. Depending on the exact number, size and location of the formations, doctors prescribe up to six cryotherapy sessions at intervals of 2-4 weeks.
Some people react very painfully to the treatment of the surface of the skin with liquid nitrogen, so the freezing process is as slow as possible and the effect on the build-up is gradual.
Cryotherapy may have side effects such as pain, tendon injury, superficial nerve injury, skin discoloration, scarring, or recurrence of viral warts.
Cantharidin
The treatment with this substance is in many ways similar to more traditional cryotherapy. The procedure causes the appearance of blisters, which gradually dry up. Dead skin is removed.
Minor surgery
- The operation is performed with a scalpel or electric needle.
- Before surgery, the affected area of the body is subjected to local anesthesia.
- Given that filiform warts are small formations onsurface of the skin, surgical intervention is carried out promptly and guarantees complete removal of the build-up in a single procedure. The operation does not need to be repeated.
- A scarring process is possible on the affected area after the operation.
- Electrosurgery involves two procedures: curettage (curettage) and cauterization.
- The base of the wart is burned out by diathermocoagulation, or cauterization.
- The surgical wound heals within two weeks.
- Possible secondary spread of formations.
Laser removal
If filiform warts do not respond to any other treatment method, the doctor prescribes their removal with a laser. This method is characterized by high cost and increased risk of scarring.
Other Traditional Medicine Methods
At home, unwanted growths can be covered with a band-aid or duct tape to prevent them from being oxygenated and preventing the infection from spreading throughout the body to other people. Some doctors recommend treatment of neoplasms with cytotoxic substances. In the presence of multiple warts, somatic retinoids are used.
It is desirable to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus. Although the vaccine is not a cure, it will protect you from infection.
Contagious
Filamentous warts are extremely contagious. Avoid touching these growths on other people's bodies. In addition, it is undesirable to share clothes, shoes andpersonal hygiene items. The human papillomavirus can be caught in any public place, so in places designated for water procedures (showers, pools), be sure to wear rubber slates. For any, even minor damage to the skin (cuts, scratches, abrasions), seal the wounded area with a band-aid. By following these simple preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of the virus entering your body, and therefore reduce the likelihood of filiform warts.
At home
If you do not have the ability or desire to eliminate unattractive growths using common methods of traditional medicine, you will certainly be interested in removing filiform warts with a folk method. There are several very affordable and 100% natural remedies that can help you get rid of unattractive growths on the surface of the skin.
Potatoes
Many women know that raw potato slices do an excellent job of removing dark circles under the eyes. However, few people know that an ordinary inexpensive vegetable can quickly and without a single side effect literally erase an unwanted formation from the skin. To carry out the home procedure, peel the potato, cut a round slice from it and rub the wart with it for five minutes. These actions should be repeated three times a day. Use potatoes until the wart is completely gone.
Apple cider vinegar
Common foodApple cider vinegar can cure a wide variety of skin and hair problems. It is considered one of the most powerful remedies for combating skin rashes and growths. The acid in the base of this liquid attacks the overgrown epidermis and literally removes excess layers from the surface. Moreover, apple cider vinegar will also eliminate the virus that lives in the wart.
For effective removal of neoplasms, take two tablespoons of vinegar, pour them into a cup and soak a cotton ball in the liquid. Apply the ball to the wart and secure it with a clean cloth bandage or bandage. Leave the bandage on all day. The wart will go away after a few weeks of regular use of apple cider vinegar.
Pineapple juice
Pineapple is considered an exotic dessert rich in vitamins and promotes he althy digestion. Who would have thought that the juice of amazing fruits can not only saturate the body with essential nutrients, but also eliminate filiform warts, the treatment, removal and prevention of which by traditional medicine is not always possible? Its acidity, along with the presence of special enzymes in the composition of the liquid, allows you to effectively and quickly remove tumors.
Cut and peel a piece of pineapple, then squeeze fresh juice out of it. Wet the wart with juice for 5-10 minutes, then wipe it with a clean cloth. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day. It will take several days for the growth to completely disappear from the surface of the skin.
