Warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and can come in different sizes, colors and shapes. They can develop anywhere on the body, but typically affect the feet, face, and hands. Most of these do not cause disease or other health problems, although they can sometimes be painful (in this case we speak of herpetic patereccio); however, many times they disappear on their own with the passage of time. You can get rid of those that form on your fingers with over-the-counter treatments or medical treatment. you can also prevent infection by taking certain precautions. This article describes how to remove common warts that form only on the hands and do not address the genital ones.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Over-the-counter treatments
Step 1. Apply a salicylic acid patch or gel
It is a free sale product useful for your purpose and that you can find in a pharmacy or parapharmacy; the active ingredient helps to dissolve the proteins of warts and the dead skin that surrounds them. Look for kits, pads, gels, or drops that contain a 17% salicylic acid solution or patches with a percentage of 15%.
- You have to apply the product of your choice once a day for several weeks. For best results, soak the affected finger (or more than one) in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes to soften the skin, then file any dead skin on or around the wart with a nail file or stone. pumice. Once the dead skin cells are removed, apply the salicylic acid patch, gel, swab, or gauze.
- You can use a file or pumice stone to remove dead skin even between treatments; do not share these tools with anyone and throw them away when you have cleared the wart.
- This treatment may need to be continued for 12 weeks or longer until the growths flatten and fade. if they start to feel irritated, painful or red, stop taking them and see your doctor.
Step 2. Use free-for-sale freezing products
This is an alternative method of getting rid of warts. You can buy over-the-counter aerosols to spray on the areas to be treated at pharmacies or parapharmacies; they are products that freeze the growth at -68 ° C.
However, keep in mind that such solutions are not as effective as the liquid nitrogen products that are applied by the doctor. The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises to be very careful when using products for this purpose, as they are flammable and should not be used in the presence of flames or any heat source
Method 2 of 4: Medical Treatments
Step 1. Get a prescription for chemical treatments from your doctor
They can recommend more aggressive products to try to kill virus-infected cells; they are solutions that generally contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and silver nitrate.
- Among the side effects of such treatments you can find brown spots around the wart area and skin burns around the infected area.
- Your doctor may also recommend prescription medications based on salicylic acid but stronger; over time, these medicines are able to remove the layers of growth and are often effective when used in combination with freezing (cryotherapy).
Step 2. Learn about cryotherapy
This is a procedure in which the doctor applies liquid nitrogen to the affected area, causing a blister under and around the wart. Dead tissue can be removed 7-10 days after treatment; however, this method can cause the immune system to fight off the viral growths, and you may need to repeat the treatment to completely eliminate yours.
- Cryotherapy sessions typically last 5-15 minutes and can be painful. If you have a rather large wart on one hand, it will need to be frozen several times before it can be completely removed.
- Be aware that this procedure has several side effects, such as pain, blistering, and blemishes on the surrounding skin.
Step 3. Consider laser removal
Your doctor may recommend pulsed dye laser treatment to burn the fine blood vessels in the wart; the infected tissue dies and the affected part then falls spontaneously.
Be aware that such treatment offers limited results, as well as causing pain and scarring around the affected area
Method 3 of 4: Unverified Home Remedies
Step 1. Try the duct tape method
Several studies have been done on the effectiveness of this treatment to remove these skin formations; many doctors believe that it represents nothing more than a placebo cure and that it is not effective, although there is some documented evidence.
- You can try this method by covering the wart with duct tape or duct tape for six days. after this time, soak the affected area in water and try to gently remove the dead skin on and around the growth with pumice stone or a nail file.
- You should then leave it exposed to the air for 12 hours and repeat the procedure until you get satisfactory results.
Step 2. Use raw garlic
This home remedy is based on the fact that the caustic effects of garlic can cause a blister on the wart and cause it to fall out. Keep in mind that this method has not been scientifically verified and may not be as effective as medical treatments.
- Chop one or two cloves of garlic in a mortar and pestle until a paste forms; then apply it on the area to be treated and cover it with a plaster so that the garlic is in close contact with the growth.
- Apply new garlic once a day, but avoid placing it on any area of healthy skin surrounding the wart. you can apply some petroleum jelly around the affected area to protect the epidermis.
Step 3. Soak virus-infected skin in apple cider vinegar
This substance does not kill the HPV virus responsible for the growth, but its high acidity can help make the wart peel and fall off. Be aware that applying vinegar may cause some pain and swelling, but the bump should fall off within a few days. in any case, keep in mind that there is no scientific proof as to the effectiveness of this method.
- Dip a cotton ball or two in apple cider vinegar. squeeze them to get rid of excess liquid, but make sure they are still well soaked.
- Place the cotton wool on the affected skin and secure it with a gauze or medical tape; let the vinegar work overnight. After several days the wart should appear dark or black; this is a good sign and indicates that the vinegar has taken effect; eventually the neoformation will fall by itself.
Step 4. Apply the basil leaves
Fresh basil contains several antiviral substances that can speed up the wart removal process. Be aware that there is no medical evidence to prove the effectiveness of this method and you should only follow it in your total discretion.
- Use clean hands or a mortar and pestle to mash 30g of fresh basil leaves until they have the consistency of a moist puree; Gently spread the paste over the affected area and cover it with a band-aid or clean cloth.
- Repeat the treatment for a week or two, until the wart falls off.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Warts on the Fingers
Step 1. Don't tease them and avoid coming into direct contact with those of other people
The virus responsible for these growths is transmitted from one person to another when the warts are touched or pinched; leave those on your hands alone and avoid scratching or teasing them.
You should also avoid sharing the lime or pumice stone you use to scrape your growths; use the tool only on these and on no other area of the body in order not to spread the virus
Step 2. Practice good nail and hand hygiene
Avoid biting your nails if possible; if the skin is broken, such as when you bite or gnaw it, there is a greater chance that some wart will form.
- You should also avoid brushing, clipping, or shaving the areas where one is present, otherwise you could irritate it and spread the virus.
- Keep your hands and nails clean. Always wash them after touching warts or any shared surfaces, such as sports equipment in the gym or handles on buses.
Step 3. Wear flip-flops when going to public swimming pools and showers
Reduce the risk of these growths forming or passing them on to others by always putting plastic slippers in changing rooms and public areas.
