Flat warts - how to get rid of them quickly and forever?

Features of flat warts

Photo of flat warts on the face

In most cases, a flat wart looks like a small plaque;
Such growths only rise slightly above healthy skin;
The diameter of flat neoplasms rarely becomes more than 4-5 millimeters;
The color of a flat wart is predominantly pinkish or light brown;
If you touch the growth, its surface will be smooth and sometimes a little shiny;
Flat warts that appear on the face are not an isolated formation. They always form groups;
There is no skin pattern on the surfaces of the growths;
There are no special symptoms with flat warts, since they do not change their color, the vessels do not become clogged, and they do not fill with blood;
Most doctors believe that when a flat wart appears on the face, treatment is not required, since it is a simple cosmetic defect.

If you look and read about a flat wart on the face from photos, treatment and reviews, you may get the impression that therapy for such tumors is not required and you can safely ignore the growths until they resolve on their own.

In fact, resorption of flat growths over time does not occur in all cases. But there is a high risk of further growth and spread of warts. Therefore, treatment of flat warts on the face is still required.

Why do flat growths appear?

Photo of flat warts on the face

Before removing the growths and starting the treatment process, it is necessary to determine why flat warts appear on the face.

The most important reason is the human papilloma virus. This virus is considered almost the most widespread in the world. Three subtypes of the virus are responsible for flat warts that form on the face - the first, second and fourth;
Transmission is very easy - through contact with the skin of an infected person, through household contact, etc.;
Most often, children and the elderly suffer from flat warts. This is explained by the fact that the child’s body is not fully formed, and there is still weak immunity. It is not surprising that flat growths are also called juvenile growths.

Incubation period

To treat flat warts, you first need to find them on your body. Judging by the photo, flat warts can be barely noticeable. Plus, after the virus enters the body, quite a long time may pass until the first wart appears. This is explained by the incubation period of the virus.

The presented types of human papillomavirus have an incubation period usually from 2-3 weeks to 3-6 months.
The period of the latent state directly depends on the current state of the body and its immune system in particular.
The incubation period is characterized by the fact that the virus does not manifest itself at all. That is, a person may not even suspect that he will soon have to think about how to get rid of flat warts on his face.
As soon as the immune system weakens, the defense systems can no longer cope with their responsibilities, after which the first warts begin to appear.
They first form on the thinnest and most vulnerable areas of the facial skin - lips, around the eyes and chin.
In some cases, removal is not necessary if the growths do not cause serious discomfort. The body independently gets rid of tumors. But this usually takes about two years, and the probability of a positive outcome is approximately 50%. The main condition for self-resorption is an excellent state of the immune system.

Causes of warts on the face

Before considering the removal procedure, you need to understand the cause of these types of growths. This will help you not only understand why you have warts on your face, but also prevent the possibility of them returning in the future.

The culprit in the occurrence of such neoplasms is the human papillomavirus. Approximately two-thirds of the world's population carries it, so it is very easy to become infected with HPV.

Most often, the appearance of this infection in the human body is caused by:

Intimate contact with a carrier of infection.
Transfusion of infected blood into a healthy patient.
Touching household objects such as library books, door handles, etc., on which HPV is present.
The use of general hygiene equipment, such as bath towels, washcloths, manicure scissors, etc.
The use of non-sterile instruments by a doctor (surgeon, dentist, etc.) during medical procedures.

Why you shouldn’t remove it yourself

Photo of what flat warts on the face look like

Many people already know how to remove growths. There are many techniques and ways to get rid of warts with your own hands.

Surely you have seen how a photograph is presented before and after treatment with some miracle drug. But it is important to understand that there is just advertising, but there are truly effective medications recognized by experts.

Any attempts at self-medication without basic prior consultation with a dermatologist can cost you dearly. There are several compelling arguments in favor of the fact that you should never remove growths on your face at home or self-medicate.

A large number of medications presented in the pharmacy have a burning effect. That is, their use can result in burns on the face. Don't forget that the face is a constantly open area. It is unlikely that you will want to “show off” in front of those around you with numerous burns - the result of improper self-medication.
The use of home removal methods is dangerous because scars may remain. Plus, you can easily get infections and encounter other unpleasant diseases.
Self-medication often leads to relapses.

Symptoms

As a rule, these papillomatous rashes do not cause physical discomfort; the desire to get rid of flat warts on the face arises mainly due to aesthetic and psychological discomfort. This is due to the fact that the neoplasms are localized in open areas of the body, covering mainly the face, forearms, and the outer side of the hands.

Externally, the pathological growths are very similar to a nettle burn. The clinical picture looks like this:

the shape of papillomas is round;
diameter does not exceed 5 mm;
practically do not protrude above the skin level;
the surface is smooth, flattened, without a skin pattern;
the skin around the tumor is not changed;
the color is not defined - the growths can blend into the skin and have a pink or even brown tint;
it is possible for several small papillomas to merge into one large spot;
Minor itching and peeling may occur.

Despite the fact that removal of flat papillomas is not necessary (the problem often resolves on its own), in some situations treatment is still necessary.

Treatment methods

You can use several effective, but at the same time safe recipes for self-use. Or contact specialists who will carry out the procedure for removing growths using special equipment.

Let's start with safe recipes and medications, the use of which is aimed at treating warts.

Vitamin A and E. They can be taken orally to help the body normalize the immune system. Liquid vitamin E is also sold, which can be used to treat growths;
Grated potatoes. After chopping the washed but not peeled tuber, the resulting pulp is applied to the growths overnight. Such a compress gives excellent results;
Apple juice. Take a green apple and squeeze the juice out of it. By applying it to the growths, you will soon get rid of unwanted “guests” on your face;
Wormwood infusion. A very effective remedy that can be prepared at home;
Tea tree oil. Lubricate a cotton swab with it and apply it to your face. Simple but effective;
Chalk. Even ordinary chalk, which is used to rub the growths, can safely get rid of the wart.

Flat warts on the face can be eliminated using medical methods. You cannot do without the help of a specialist, since only medical institutions have the appropriate equipment. But before you take such a step, be sure to consult a dermatologist.

A liquid nitrogen. How to remove growths? Freeze them. This method is called cryodestruction. The cold freezes the new growth, which turns pale, dies and soon disappears. The advantage is that the method does not leave scars.
Laser. A modern and highly effective solution that destroys the structure of the build-up. The laser does not burn, which allows you to avoid scars after the procedure. Please note that there are different types of lasers that are designed to treat certain types of growths.
Retinoids. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this method. On the one hand, the effectiveness of the drugs is excellent. But there is another side to the coin - side effects.
Radio wave destruction. A good method that does not require direct contact with the growth. Waves of a certain frequency destroy the structure of the wart without leaving scars or noticeable marks.

Types of warts on the face and treatment with folk remedies

Almost all drugs for warts are designed to completely remove them from the skin. It should be understood that medications of this type act exclusively on condylomas, and not on the cause of their occurrence. Even a successful fight against tumors does not guarantee that they will not appear over time in other parts of the body. Effective remedies for facial warts for use at home include:

Verrucacid. A gentle solution that does not damage healthy tissue. A single application of the product is often sufficient to remove tumors. If the condyloma is very old or large, repeated uses of the drug will be required.
Collomak. The basis of the medicine is salicylic acid. The drug does not cauterize the condyloma, but softens its tissue. The product is applied to the growth, 1 drop once or twice a day for 3-4 days. The maximum allowed course is a week.
Feresol. It is an oily liquid for the topical treatment of warts. The active substances of Feresol cauterize the growth and have an antiseptic effect. Apply the drug pointwise 1 time. If the condyloma is larger than 2 mm in diameter, several treatments may be needed.
Viferon. The active substance of the drug is interferon, which has an antiviral effect. Ointment for warts on the face is used once a day for 5-30 days.
Oxolinic ointment. The antiviral agent is applied to the condyloma 1-3 times a day, during the course of treatment - 1 month. Old papillomas may require longer therapy.
Aldara cream (Imiquimod). Not only removes formations from the skin, but also stimulates an increase in local immunity to fight papillomavirus. The product is applied to condylomas at night, every other day. During treatment, direct sunlight should be avoided.
Panavir. The antiviral drug in gel form penetrates deeply into the skin and destroys the virus. Thanks to Panavir, the body's production of the antiviral protein interferon is activated. The gel is applied to the growth 5 times a day for 5-10 days.
Isoprinosine. Take 2 tablets three times a day. The course of treatment is 2 weeks. Isoprinosine stimulates the immune system, making it easier for the body to cope with HPV. Thanks to taking the drug, the size of the formations decreases.
Salipod. The patch is stuck on the tumor for a day or two. It has a keratolytic and antiseptic effect. The main components of the product are sulfur and salicylic acid. After using the patch, the wart is soaked in water and removed with pumice, after which Salipod is glued on again. The procedure is repeated until the growth completely disappears.
Cryopharma. One of the safest drugs for condylomas, which can instantly freeze a wart. After 10-14 days of using Cryopharma, nothing remains of the growth. Therapy of large and old formations requires double exposure to the drug. The interval between procedures should be at least 14 days.
Super clean. Effectively eliminates papillomas, but often leaves spots and scars on the skin. The product should be applied very carefully, using a spot method. Before using Super Clean, you should lubricate the skin around the growths with fatty cream, butter or castor oil. To get rid of warts on the face, you will need 1-2 applications of an alkaline product.
Balm Mountain celandine. It is made from natural juice of celandine with the addition of extracts of gentian, poop and golden rhododendron. The product perfectly removes formations on the skin, while simultaneously providing a local antiviral effect. The balm is applied to the steamed condyloma once a day, with a course of treatment of 3 days.
Retinoic cream. This remedy is used if you want to reduce the risk of a scar or age spot. The drug has a mild effect and therefore requires longer use. It must be used once a day (at night) for 1-3 months. The cream is applied pointwise.
Podophyllin. The toxic substance is obtained from Podophyllum thyroid, a herb that grows in the mountainous part of India. The drug promotes the rapid death of papilloma cells.
Condilin. The product is used to eliminate papillomas on the face, genitals, and other parts of the body. The drug contains lactic acid, podophyllotoxin and sodium salt. The solution is applied pointwise to the growths until they completely disappear twice a day using the applicator that comes with Condilin.
Bleomycin. Antitumor antibiotic used to combat condylomas. It is applied pointwise once a week by injection. Since the injection is painful, an anesthetic is used before the procedure.
Malavit. Available in the form of a solution and gel, it contains malachite, cedar resin, mumiyo, a complex of essential oils, lactic acid, etc. Before use, the wart is steamed and its surface is treated with pumice. Afterwards, a small piece of cotton wool is moistened with the product and applied to the affected skin overnight. In the morning the compress is removed. The procedure is repeated daily until the problem disappears.

To restore cleanliness and smoothness to the skin, proven effective folk recipes are used. Many of them are based on herbal medicine methods (herbal treatment), as well as the use of fresh vegetables, soda, onions, potatoes, etc. Since papillomas are destroyed by acids, to remove a wart on the face at home, you can use table vinegar, lemon juice or sour berries, oxalic acid.

Celandine

To remove a wart on the face, use fresh plant juice - a product with a strong antibacterial, disinfectant and antiseptic effect. Celandine literally burns warts, destroying the papillomavirus in the skin. For maximum effect, the plant is collected during the flowering period (from May to June), and this should be done carefully, since celandine is a poisonous herb and can cause burns if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with Antibiotics for acne on the face of an adult

How to remove warts on the face at home using celandine? To do this, it is recommended to apply the cut of the plant to the condyloma and squeeze out a little milky juice from the shoot. The procedure is repeated daily 1-2 times, and already after 2-3 days the growth becomes noticeably darkening and drying out. It soon disappears on its own.

The finished infusion is filtered and used as a basis for compresses. In addition, a cream is prepared from celandine that can remove warts on the face and body:

dry leaves of the plant are crushed;
the ingredient is mixed 1:1 with Vaseline;
when the product has stood for 5-7 days, apply it to the affected areas of the skin 2-4 times a day (you can enhance the effect of the product by covering the ointment with a bandage and leaving it overnight.

Baking soda

This remedy for warts on the face is used when it is necessary to remove growths from the hands, feet, face, and other parts of the body. First, the skin is steamed with hot water/steam, washed with laundry soap and the stratum corneum is carefully scraped off. After this, apply a compress with wet soda to the wart, securing it with a band-aid. The bandage is kept in place for several hours. To remove condyloma, the procedure is repeated daily for 5-7 days.

Acetic acid is a proven antiviral agent for external use over the years. Papillomas do not tolerate an acidic environment, so vinegar is actively used to combat skin formations. Using a regular table or apple product, you can remove even the oldest warts. However, the procedure should be approached with extreme caution to avoid chemical burns. It is prohibited to use vinegar essence in its pure form; it must be diluted in the proportions specified in the recipe.

To remove growths, you can simply lubricate them with a vinegar solution or make compresses. This method is especially good for the treatment of plantar warts, but is also suitable for the treatment of warts on the face. Another effective method of treating papillomavirus on the skin is applying a flour cake, garlic gruel and a small amount of acetic acid to the growth.

Aloe juice

You can quickly remove warts on the face at home using the leaves of aloe, a houseplant that grows in almost every home. Only old leaves are suitable for the procedure, since they contain the maximum of useful substances. Before use, the leaf is thoroughly washed under cold water and crushed into small pieces.

Garlic

The unique properties of the vegetable are actively used to fight viruses. Garlic is a strong antiseptic; in addition, the product helps strengthen the immune system, helping the body fight skin infections. Condylomas can be burned with fresh garlic juice or a fresh cut of a vegetable can be applied to them for several hours. Before the procedure, healthy skin is lubricated with fat or nourishing cream - this is necessary to prevent irritation.

Treatment prices depend on the choice of wart removal method. Drug therapy costs the patient an average of 500–1200 rubles. Prices for other services vary:

laser treatment of flat warts – 2000 rubles;
electrocoagulation – 1500 rubles;
cryodestruction (freezing with liquid nitrogen) – 80 rubles;
surgical method – 2000 rubles;
radio wave removal – 600 rubles.

The cost of services is minimal in Moscow. When choosing a clinic, dermatologists advise paying attention to the experience of the staff, the presence of a license to provide services, and the diplomas of the doctors performing the procedure.

An example of mass formation of flat warts on the legs

Small growths on the skin, characterized by a different, darker pigmentation, having a flat shape with a slightly protruding surface - there are flat warts. They are called juvenile warts, due to the fact that they form mainly in puberty, adolescence. The disease often occurs in children.

Warts are localized mainly on the face, most often found on the nasolabial triangle, forehead, and cheeks. They also spread to the backs of the hands. In other areas, bodies are practically not formed, but there are exceptions. Neoplasms can be single or multiple, depending on the course of the disease and the state of the person’s immune system.

What types of warts are there?

Flat (youthful) rashes occur more often on the limbs, body, and face. They look like small plaques a couple of millimeters above the skin, flesh-colored, pinkish or pale brown. This pathology is typical for children and adolescents.
Vulgar, ordinary papillomas are common among young people. They look like a rounded protrusion on the skin, up to 5 mm high. At first, the rashes do not differ in color from the skin, later they acquire a brownish or gray tint. Often on the skin there are paired simple warts, where one plaque is larger and the second smaller.
Threaded papillomas are located on the neck, face, under the mammary glands (in women), in the armpits. They look like round elevations above the epidermis. Filiform warts form more often in elderly or mature people over 40 years of age.
Pointed papillomas are characterized by the route of transmission and location on the human body. This type of pathology looks like a head of cauliflower and is flesh-colored or somewhat darkened. Such warts form in the anus, groin, mouth, penis in men and labia in women. The only way of transmission of genital warts is genital.

What are flat warts?

Flat warts are small (usually about 3 mm, much less often up to 9 mm) tumor formations that slightly rise above the surface of the skin. They have a round shape and a compacted structure. The color of warts is usually light - pinkish-brown, pink, flesh-colored, yellowish. Outwardly, these formations are very reminiscent of a characteristic burn from contact with young nettles.

The second name for flat warts is juvenile warts, because they appear mainly in adolescence. Then, as a person gets older, the problem most often disappears. The favorite place to localize flat warts is the face. They are less likely to focus on the neck, back of the legs and arms, and never on the groin, palms or feet.

Flat warts on the face tend to cluster together in large groups. Sometimes their appearance is preceded by itchy skin.

Causes of flat, juvenile warts in children and adults

Any type of wart that appears on human skin is a consequence of infection with the papilloma virus, also known as HPV. This infection spreads to people through contact with sick people (through a handshake, hugs, kisses, when using shared utensils) or indirectly, in case of contact with handrails, door handles, elevator buttons and other common objects. HPV infection occurs through small wounds on the mucous membranes or skin, such as cuts, abrasions, and scratches.

The virus penetrates the human body and remains there forever. Moreover, depending on the state of immunity and general mental state, the virus can “live” in adults and children in a latent state or begin to actively multiply. The appearance of an abundance of flat warts on human skin indicates the development of an infection according to the second scenario. The constant residence of HPV in a person causes frequent cases of recurrence of warts after their removal.

Etiology and features of manifestation

The cause of the disease is human papillomavirus (HPV) types 14, 15 and 24. Infection can occur through direct contact of injured skin with an infected person (kiss, handshake, hug) and through household items (handrails in public transport, door handles, library publications, etc.).

Features of HPV are:

After infection, it may not manifest itself for a long time. But with a decrease in immunity, prolonged stress, and intense physical exertion, harmful cells begin to actively multiply in the dermis, forming flat warts that can grow depending on the intensity of the viral process.
Flat warts on the face never appear in people over 40 years of age. This type of formation is associated with hormonal changes in the body and the period of the first activation of HPV. Subsequently, immunity to this disease is developed and flat plaques no longer appear.
Once the virus enters the human body, it remains there forever. Therefore, even after removal of the wart, relapses are possible throughout life. If the neoplasm is injured or its development is not properly stopped, then HPV infection of healthy areas of the skin is possible.

Virus activation occurs due to:

weakened immunity due to a viral or cold;
pathologies of the endocrine system;
tendency to excessive sweat production on the face;
the presence of any chronic illness;
injury from a blade when shaving;
unstable mental state;
frequent diseases of the ENT system;
suffered stress.

Severe trauma or the presence of long-term non-healing open injuries can also “trigger” HPV.

Localization of warts - photo

The most common areas for flat warts are the arms, face, legs, back, and neck. This type of skin formation may not protrude above the surface of the epidermis, which is why it got its name. In some cases, people mistake warts for freckles or age spots, especially if they are brownish in color. The size of the tumors varies between 2-5 millimeters. Mechanical damage to warts can stimulate the spread of the virus, which leads to the appearance of many new formations on the skin.

Flat warts on the body are usually located near the neck, but in some patients they are found on the buttocks, upper legs and other places. Cutaneous flat papillomas often silently fill large areas of the epidermis. If the patient begins to actively multiply skin lesions, you should immediately contact a dermatologist, otherwise the virus will strengthen to such an extent that it will be very difficult to defeat it.
Flat warts appear on the hands no less often than on the body. They usually appear on the fingers or the back of the wrist. These skin formations do not cause much discomfort, but sometimes they stimulate itching. If you scratch warts, physical damage to them can trigger the process of reproduction, which will contribute to the appearance of even more papillomas.
In recent years, cases of warts forming on the legs and feet have become more frequent. Plantar papillomas are visually perceived as shiny plaques on the foot, which after a certain time are covered with horny tissue, the skin becomes lumpy and rough. The diameter of warts may vary: from a couple of millimeters to several centimeters. The color of plantar warts remains the same as healthy skin. Often such pathologies are accompanied by painful sensations, especially if the rashes are located on the supporting areas of the foot.
Warts on the face look like small plaques that rise slightly above the epidermis. Their diameter ranges from 3 to 5 millimeters. Facial papillomas are pinkish or light brown in color and have a slightly glossy surface. Such rashes always appear not singly, but in groups, and there is no skin pattern on their surface. Warts on the face do not cause discomfort, but they create a serious aesthetic problem. However, papillomas around the eyes and on the eyelids sometimes hang over the pupil, interfering with normal vision.

Symptoms and diagnosis

A characteristic difference between a flat wart is that the resulting papule practically does not rise above the skin . Moreover, its shade remains the same. Only in some cases the growth becomes pinkish or light brown. There is no usual skin pattern on the surface. The nodule size averages 2–5 mm.

As a rule, several flat warts appear on the body at once, but they never merge into a single whole. Most often, growths are noticeable on the face, namely the forehead, lips and chin. Less commonly, they can be found on the legs and genital area.

As a rule, a person does not feel itching or other discomfort, but due to such neoplasms, the appearance deteriorates. Accordingly, flat warts are considered to be a serious cosmetic defect that may require serious treatment.

To make a diagnosis, you should visit a dermatologist . The doctor will conduct a visual examination as well as a dermatoscopy. Additionally, the PCR method can be used. In addition, immediately after removal of the tumor, a histological examination is indicated.

How to get rid of flat warts

A common occurrence is the spontaneous disappearance of papillomas from human skin. In addition, due to their protruding shape, warts are often susceptible to mechanical damage. Therefore, patients usually want to remove a skin abnormality in order to correct a cosmetic defect. There are many different folk remedies for treating flat papillomas, but self-medication can lead to complications, the appearance of new skin formations, and the spread of infection throughout the body. To treat a flat wart, it is better to consult an experienced dermatologist.

Ointments and other drugs from the pharmacy

Therapy for flat papillomas is selected by the doctor individually. The patient is usually prescribed additional immunomodulators to support the immune system during treatment of warts. When choosing such drugs, the dermatologist takes into account the current state of the patient’s body, his age, the absence of chronic diseases and other important factors. If necessary, the doctor prescribes a course of antiviral drugs to suppress the activity of the virus. Below are effective remedies for the treatment of flat papillomas.

Imiquimod. This immunomodulator is available in the form of a cream and is very effective in the treatment of flat condylomas. The drug does not leave scars and is safe to use. The cream should be applied exclusively to areas where papillomas accumulate three times a week. Minimal pain is possible; there are no side effects when using the drug correctly.
"Tretinoin" (1% or 0.05%). The cream is applied at night, covering the affected areas of the skin with a thin layer. The dermatologist prescribes the frequency of use of the product individually for each patient, achieving slight peeling in places where warts accumulate. Therapy can last several weeks or even months, depending on how quickly the optimal clinical effect is achieved.
"Efudex" (Efudex 5%) aka "5-Fluorudacil". The cream is applied to the affected areas of the skin twice a day for a week to a month and a half. The drug stimulates increased photosensitivity, so during treatment the patient’s skin should be protected from active sunlight. To apply the drug, you should use a cotton swab to localize its effect exclusively on the areas of the rash.
Burnt magnesia, also known as magnesium oxide. The drug is taken orally three times a day, 1 gram for 10 days. Several such courses are needed (3-4), the break between which is 5 days.
Oxolinic ointment. The drug is used 2-3 times a day for 2-16 weeks. To effectively treat flat warts, you should choose an ointment with a concentration of 2% or 3%.
Salicylic acid 60%. To achieve maximum effect, steam and allow the skin to dry slightly before applying the ointment. It is worth treating the areas affected by papilloma with a thin layer, and then bandaging them. It is better to carry out the procedures before going to bed, and in the morning rub the growths with pumice. The course of treatment with salicylic acid lasts until the warts disappear completely.

Treatment of flat warts

Dermatologists may not prescribe treatment for children if the warts remain in normal condition. Often the growths resolve on their own as the child grows older. But if the elements are large and cause discomfort, it is better to get rid of them to avoid even bigger problems. After all, an injured papilloma can degenerate into a malignant tumor or cause secondary infection of the body and serious complications.

Papillomatosis does not require inpatient treatment. You shouldn't take sick leave for him. But it is not recommended to fight the virus without medical advice, since the cause of warts may be a rather serious illness, and not a temporarily weakened immune system.

Traditional methods of treatment

If the doctor does not prohibit it, you can try to remove flattened warts on the child’s face using folk remedies. Onions fight viral infections very effectively. The cleaned head of the vegetable is soaked in vinegar essence all day and the resulting liquid is wiped on the face at night. Alternatively, an onion slice can be placed where there are growths. To completely eliminate the defect, the procedure is done once a day, for a total of 4–5 days.

What other folk remedies can remove flat warts on the face:

Dandelion. The milky sap of a flowering plant can effectively eliminate new growths within 2 weeks of regular use of the phyto-liquid. You need to wipe your face with it 3 times a day or more. HPV will not recur after treatment with dandelion.
Garlic. The caustic vegetable is crushed to the consistency of mush, lightly salted and a little vegetable oil is added. The drug is applied to the affected areas of the face and covered with cotton wool and a band-aid. Keep the compress for half an hour. The procedures are done every day until all warts are completely resolved.
Apple vinegar. This product is considered an effective way to treat warts at home, however, it is harsh on the skin. It can be used by children who are not allergic to the components of this type of product. You can treat your face with apple cider vinegar 2 times a day. After about 5 procedures, papillomas should gradually disappear. After using it, it is advisable to lubricate your face with a rich baby cream.
Potato. The root vegetables are peeled and grated. The mass is spread on film and placed on the wart like a compress. Secure the lotion with a bandage and keep it until the morning. The manipulation is performed in the evening.
Kalanchoe. Every day, warty areas are covered with a paste obtained from its fresh leaves. Phytotherapy is carried out until the problem is completely resolved.
Celandine. The face is pre-treated with moisturizing cream, then the bright juice coming from a plucked twig is applied pointwise. Celandine treats flat warts for no longer than 10 days.
Decoction of medicinal herbs. Dandelion roots and fresh leaves of lemon balm, horsetail, nettle and plantain are crushed in different containers and mixed in the same ratio. 3 tbsp. l. the collection is poured with 4 glasses of cold water, the dishes are placed on the stove and cooked for 10 minutes at moderate mode. The decoction, which sits for 2 hours, is filtered and taken orally, 3 tbsp. l. 30 minutes before meals. Frequency of administration: 3 times a day.
Sour, unripe apples with green skin. The juice is squeezed out of them and the new growths are lubricated with it twice a day. Papillomas and condylomas are treated in this way for 2 weeks.

Treatment with medications

Dermatologists always develop a treatment regimen for flat warts on the skin of the face on an individual basis. To improve the immune system, patients are prescribed immunomodulators, which the body can normally perceive due to its age and functional state. To suppress HPV activity, doctors sometimes prescribe a course of antiviral medications.

Reviews

Vitaly, 54 years old, Voronezh: For several years I tried to remove plantar warts using folk remedies. Vinegar helped, but six months later the flat papillomas reappeared. The dermatologist suggested that the virus should first be removed from the inside, and prescribed a course of immunomodulators.

Oksana, 33 years old, Astrakhan: My grandmother suggested a recipe for flat warts to me. First, the skin where condylomas have formed should be steamed, disinfected, and the stratum corneum wiped off. Then put garlic paste on the papillomas and cover with a band-aid. A positive result is noticeable after 2-3 days.

Igor, 29 years old, Orel: Removed flat papillomas with a solution of salicylic acid 2%. The skin next to the rash peels off a little, but this is a small sacrifice. I wiped the warts twice a day with a cotton swab. After a month and a half, the papillomas were gone.

Warts are benign growths on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus. Warts are either regular or flat.

A flat (juvenile) wart looks like a plaque with a diameter of 3-5 mm, most often it is light brown in color. This species lives on the face, eyelids, and always in groups. Less commonly, they may appear on the hands and legs.

If you discover a flat wart, you should definitely see a specialist; only he will be able to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Warts are treated in different ways. Read on about this and much more.

Causes of warts

The main culprit behind the appearance of warts on the skin is the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, in the world the number of people carrying the virus far exceeds the number of patients suffering from flat warts on the face. The thing is that the occurrence of these micro-tumors on the skin is facilitated by the presence of certain factors:

all kinds of skin injuries - for example, cuts from shaving or wounds from hair removal, etc.;
hormonal fluctuations leading to decreased immunity (typical mainly of adolescence);
excessive sebum secretion and acne (which also applies, first of all, to teenagers);
influenza, ARVI and other diseases that undermine general immunity.

Flat warts on the face

Flat warts on the face are small plaques that rise slightly above the skin. The diameter of the formations is from three to five millimeters. As a rule, they have a light brown or pinkish tint, a smooth, slightly shiny surface.

Flat warts always appear in groups. There is no skin pattern on their surface. There are no thrombosed capillaries, so-called blackheads.

Flat warts on the face do not cause any unpleasant sensations. Therefore they are classified as a cosmetic defect. But the rashes can begin to multiply, covering large areas of the skin.

About folk remedies

Sometimes you can try well-proven traditional medicine. These include applying bright orange celandine juice to the wart, as well as applying a fresh piece of garlic to it. These products do not cause scarring, but disrupt the metabolism of viruses, since skin cells change their properties under the influence of irritating substances. In any case, whether you remove the wart yourself or go to a medical cosmetology clinic, do not be lazy to see a dermatologist or dermatocosmetologist for an appointment and listen to his advice and recommendations.

Causes

Flat warts are not prone to degenerate into malignant ones, but under the influence of certain factors, more and more new plaques appear on the skin, which merge into one, disfiguring the appearance.
Their growth can be caused by:

weakened immune system;
chronic stress;
severe infectious disease;
self-infection - when trying to remove a single flat wart, the pathogen is transferred to an unaffected area of the skin.

The appearance on the face is also associated with cuts from shaving and depilation without following simple sanitation rules.

Appearance

Signs of this formation on the skin are:

papule slightly raised above the dermis;
the top is flat;
round or irregular shape;
the surface is smooth;
the border with the skin is clear;
no keratinization process is observed;
there are no skin growths nearby;
color from light pink to brownish (depending on the shade of the dermis);
no skin pattern;
most often appear in groups and are not prone to merging;
localized in most cases on the forehead and chin;
does not cause pain (except for psychological discomfort);
sometimes there is mild itching at the site of the lesion;
size no more than 5 mm.

The number of formations can reach several dozen. Size up to 5-7 mm in diameter.

Symptoms and diagnosis of flat warts

An experienced dermatologist can distinguish warts by visual examination. The doctor will also use dermatoscopy and histological examination of the sample. All examination methods are painless, with the exception of taking a sample for histology.

Visual inspection will help distinguish a flat wart from others using the following criteria:

the neoplasm rises above the skin in the form of a papule or nodule with a flat surface;
there is no keratinization of the skin in the affected area;
the color of the formations has a special shade;
the diameter of warts ranges from 3 to 5 mm;
placed in groups, do not merge;
localized on the face (chin, forehead), hands and legs.

The main cause of the disease is HPV (human papillomavirus), which locally manifests itself in the form of skin tumors and is determined using the polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, patients with warts are recommended to undergo screening to determine their carcinogenic risk.

Having noticed even one plaque on your face, you need to know how to get rid of a flat wart on your face. To do this, you should definitely contact a skin specialist. Only doctors can make a correct diagnosis; you should not self-medicate under any circumstances.

Firstly, wart remedies cause serious skin burns, which after healing leave scars. Is it worth the risk, because we are talking about the face?! Secondly, with a careless attempt, removing flat warts on the face can provoke the growth of many others, which even doctors cannot always get rid of without leaving a trace.

Thirdly, even a tumor very similar to a flat wart can turn out to be malignant. After all, in the early stages, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma look so harmless.

Diagnostic examination of formations on the face

After warty growths appear on the face, the patient should seek advice from an experienced specialist who will determine how to treat this disease.

First, you need to rule out other possible diseases. Secondly, the presence of HPV in the body should be confirmed.

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The first stage of the diagnostic study consists of a thorough visual examination of the tumor. In certain cases, the doctor may use the dermatoscopy method. Its essence lies in the use of a special device to enlarge the image. With its help, the doctor can examine the location of the lesion in more detail.

Sometimes, the patient is prescribed additional research methods:

Histological examination. To carry it out, a fragment of wart tissue is used.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thanks to this analysis, it is possible to detect the DNA of the virus. This method gives 100% results. Any biological material can be used to carry it out.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) helps detect antibodies to viral infection. For this test, blood is drawn.

Correctly performed tests allow you to choose the most effective treatment method. And the sooner you seek help from a specialist, the more effective it will be. Since getting rid of flat warts on the face is much easier at the initial stage.

Treatment methods of official medicine

As a rule, flat warts go away on their own after some time: 1-2 months, sometimes six months. But there are also situations that require drug treatment:

extremely fast growth;
the appearance of other flat warts merging with each other;
an ulcer and/or bleeding occurs on a flat wart; heterogeneity in the shade of a flat wart.

In general, if flat warts on the face do not bother you in any way, do not increase in size or grow, it is better not to touch them, but just watch them carefully. If there is cosmetic discomfort, flat warts on the face are removed using a laser, radio waves or by grinding.

Aggressive means and methods that should not be used under any circumstances include electrocoagulation and liquid nitrogen. These are exactly those situations when a noticeable scar will remain forever. But you can just wait a little, and everything will go away on its own.

Treatment with nitrogen (cryodestruction)

Liquid nitrogen is applied pointwise to the warts, after which they become dense and white in a matter of seconds. After about an hour, instead of a plaque, a small bubble appears, which dries over the next week. After just a few weeks, the crust falls off completely. The slight pink mark disappears.

Retinoids

Retinoids are a special, highly effective remedy that has a number of serious side effects. Used in rare cases

Pulse laser

Pulsed dye laser. Affects the blood supply to the formation, glues the walls of the capillaries. The procedure leaves behind a bruise that disappears after two weeks. The procedure is easily tolerated.

The described treatment methods are available in specialized medical clinics and professional beauty salons. Such manipulations should only be carried out by certified specialists.

Removal of flat warts

Flat warts on the face can be described as unsightly and annoying. Although they may be harmless, it is very important to have them checked by a dermatologist to make sure that these bumps are not contagious, cancerous, or spreading to other parts of the face or body.

Once the root cause of the problem is determined, they can be removed if desired, especially when it comes to large, painful and irritating warts.

There are various options to help get rid of them:

Cryosurgery using liquid nitrogen
Electrocoagulation is a medical procedure that involves burning out warts with an electric needle.
Laser therapy that disrupts the blood supply to warts
For cancerous warts on the face, removal may involve injections with bleomycin, a chemotherapy drug.

These are some ways to remove them. But it is worth understanding that the relevance of a particular one of these methods will depend on the cause, type, size and other characteristics of warts.

Treatment of flat warts on the face

Is it possible to ignore aesthetics and not carry out treatment? Statistics suggest the following data: if for two years you do not remove formations caused by papillomavirus infection, then there is a 50% chance that they will disappear on their own.

burns to the skin of the face (since the products should generally be used fairly active);
if treatment is carried out carelessly, scars and small scars may remain after the plaques disappear;
in addition, the effect of treatment may be temporary, and relapses are possible.

Therefore, before using traditional recipes, it is important to consult a dermatologist.

Among the gentle remedies offered by traditional medicine, the most popular are the following:

vitamin E in liquid form - apply several times a day (take vitamins A and E orally);
freshly squeezed juice of green apples - lubricate flat warts on the face;
grated potatoes - compresses for the night;
regular white chalk - rub and treat rashes;

wormwood infusion - applied externally to affected areas.

Effective treatment of flat warts

There are dozens of methods that can cure warts in a short time and with maximum effect. These methods will be discussed.

Pharmacy products

Trichloroacetic acid . Apply with a cotton swab, or less often with a pipette. Soon the wart turns white, dries out and falls off on its own. After this, you need to carefully monitor the wound, as there is a possibility of infection. Effectively treats flat warts on the hands;
Papilleck. Destroys the growth, causes necrosis of wart cells, acts quickly, possibly causing scars or burning of nearby tissues;
Feresol. Kills warts and has a bactericidal effect. The drug is aggressive, so it is used only on invisible areas of the body;
Cryopharma. Suitable for large growths. It works on the principle of freezing, after which the wart disappears on its own;
Verrucacid. It takes a comprehensive approach to the treatment of warts - it kills the growth from the outside and acts on it from the inside. Available in solution form. After using the product, the growth is usually steamed and the residue is carefully removed with sterile nail scissors;
Panavir . Available as a gel or rectal suppositories. Suppresses the work of papillomavirus and stops the process of development of new formations;
Salicylic ointment . It has a gentle effect on papillomas, making it possible to remove flat warts on the face and other open parts of the body. The downside of the drug is the duration of exposure - sometimes the course of treatment reaches 3 months;
Iquimod . The cream is rubbed into flat warts every other day for 4-12 weeks. It works for a long time, but protects the skin from burns and harmful bacteria.

It is important to know that any growth must be removed completely, along with the root, otherwise the wart will appear again and, most likely, not in a single form.

Mechanical methods

They are used in a clinic setting and prescribed by the attending physician. First, the patient undergoes diagnostics, the doctor identifies all sorts of contraindications, and then writes a referral for a suitable procedure. It could be:

laser removal;
electrocoagulation;
radio wave therapy;
cryodestruction;
excision with a scalpel;
removal with chemical reagents based on Spanish fly or celandine.

The methods are suitable for people over 3 years of age. The most common method of removal is laser - it is ideal in terms of price-quality ratio, removes even flat warts on the face and is accessible to almost everyone. No matter which procedure is chosen, the patient will be given a local anesthetic injection, so there is no need to be afraid of pain.

Folk recipes

When using folk remedies, you should be aware that there is no scientific evidence indicating that flat warts can be eliminated using home methods. If the decision has already been made, then we suggest paying attention to the following recipes:

Garlic is cut to the size of the wart, then placed on top of it and secured with a plaster. Leave it overnight, and in the morning the wound is washed with warm water. Repeat the procedure for 7 days. In this way, flat warts on the hands are removed;
The juice of celandine is smeared on the affected areas until they turn black. Soon the wart will fall off on its own. Celandine is a poisonous medicine, so it should be used no more than once a day for a week;
Keep the onion cut into half rings in vinegar for an hour. Then take out a piece and apply it to flat warts, hold for 30-50 minutes. The course of treatment is 7-14 days, the compress should be applied no more than once a day.

Traditional medicine recipes

Delicate skin around the eyes can be treated with tea tree oil lotion. Affected areas of the skin can be treated with undiluted natural oils. Extracts of eucalyptus, sage, basil, mint, rosemary, bergamot and other products with antiviral properties can be used.

Popular among the treatment options for flat warts are remedies and recipes of alternative medicine:

Celandine. The stem of fresh celandine breaks off and the yellow juice released smears the entire surface of the wart. The procedure must be carried out twice a day every day until the formation disappears from the face. If fresh celandine is not available, you can use a water tincture of dry herbs: moisten a cotton pad or gauze and apply to the wart.
Garlic. A clove of garlic is cut and the cut side is applied to the wart twice a day: in the morning and in the evening, or, for example, after work and before bed.

Be that as it may, you should not self-medicate so as not to harm yourself.

Unconventional methods of treatment

Wart removal can be done using a variety of home remedies, medications, or surgery. Non-traditional methods include treatment with celandine and garlic.

Break off the stem of fresh celandine and smear the wart with the yellow juice of the plant. Repeat the procedure twice a day until the warts on your face disappear.

Garlic can also be used to treat warts: cut off the blade, then apply it to the formation. Do the procedure twice a day until the tumor disappears.

Doctors do not recommend self-medication, since the effectiveness of folk remedies is questionable, and they can also cause allergic reactions or damage the structure of the tumor.

Local treatment will not be effective without affecting the human papillomavirus, because this is the root cause of flat warts. In addition, the use of alternative medicine can lead to complications or the spread of warts.

Removing warts using ointments

In addition to folk remedies and traditional medicine procedures, flat warts on the face can be treated using special medicinal ointments: these are salicylic, terbofen and oxolinic ointments. When using them, the effect will not appear immediately, you need to be patient - the process of drying out of the formations will take at least two to three weeks.

Before applying the ointment, soak the affected area of skin in water. The ointment is applied after the treatment area has dried.

It is recommended to smear the product at night, so it will stay on the skin longer. The most reliable ointment listed above is oxolinic. Although its effect is slow (treatment can take up to two months), it allows you to get rid of the cause of warts – the human papillomavirus.

Whatever the choice of treatment method, you should remember one thing - when it comes to the face, a person’s business card, it is better not to be lazy and consult a doctor before performing manipulations on delicate skin

If nothing can be used, then how to remove the wart yourself?

To do this, you need to start attacking the wart from the rear. To do this, you need to start taking drugs that stimulate the immune system, including antiviral drugs. These include Immunal preparations, multivitamins, adaptogens: ginseng tincture, Eleutherococcus extract. You can also try to remove the wart using antiviral ointments. Indeed, in each cell - the keratinocyte of a wart - there are from 50 to 200 human papilloma virions. For this use:

oxolinic ointment;
terbofen ointment;
ointment containing interferon is a universal antiviral agent.

Of course, it is better if these ointments alternate. They work against viruses and are not caustic or skin damaging. The only thing you should stock up on is patience, since a flat wart on the face may disappear no earlier than after 1 to 2 months. You can also use antiviral ointment "Ridoxol". All these ointments are applied to the face 2 to 3 times a day.

Comments

megan92 () 2 weeks ago
Has anyone managed to get rid of papillomas in their armpits? They really bother me, especially when you sweat.
Daria () 2 weeks ago
I have already tried so many things and only after reading this article, I was able to get rid of papillomas in the armpits (and on a very budget). PS But I’m from the city myself and didn’t find it on sale here, so I ordered it online.
megan92 () 13 days ago
Daria, post a link to the article! PS I'm from the city too))
Daria () 12 days ago
megan92, that’s what I wrote in my first comment) I’ll duplicate it just in case - a link to the article.
Sonya 10 days ago
Isn't this a scam? Why do they sell on the Internet?
Yulek26 (Tver) 10 days ago
Sonya, what country do you live in? They sell it on the Internet because stores and pharmacies charge outrageous markups. In addition, payment is only after receipt, that is, they first looked, checked and only then paid. And now everything is sold on the Internet - from clothes to TVs and furniture.
Editor's response 10 days ago
Sonya, hello. This drug for the treatment of papillomavirus infection is indeed not sold through pharmacy chains and retail stores in order to avoid inflated prices. As of today, you can only order on the official website. Be healthy!
Sonya 10 days ago
I apologize, I didn’t notice the information about cash on delivery at first. Then everything is fine if payment is made upon receipt.
Margo (Ulyanovsk) 8 days ago
Has anyone tried traditional methods to get rid of warts and papillomas?
Andrey A week ago
I tried to burn off a wart on my head with vinegar. The wart really went away, only in its place there was such a burn that my finger hurt for another month. And the most annoying thing is that after a month and a half, two more warts popped up nearby ((
Ekaterina A week ago
I tried to burn out the papilloma with celandine, but it didn’t help, it just turned black and became so scary (((
Maria 5 days ago
I recently watched a program on Channel One, they also talked about this PAPIFEX. Many doctors recommended for treatment. I ordered it, I use it, and indeed, the papillomas are dissolving one by one, there are only 2 left, the most tenacious ones.
Elena (dermatologist) 6 days ago
Maria, soon these two will disappear too!
Alexandra (Syktyvkar) 5 days ago
A good product, completely worth the price. I have never seen any analogues.
Maxim Today
Has anyone tried to reduce papillomas with liquid nitrogen?
Tatyana (Ekaterinburg) Today
Yeah, you burn one, after a month three more grow ((I don’t recommend liquid nitrogen, although hospitals often use it
Elena (dermatologist) 6 days ago
Tatyana, liquid nitrogen is a thing of the past, now PAPIFEX is used in full and there is no need to go to the doctors!
Mikhail (Moscow) Today
PAPIFEX also helped (I ordered it according to the advice above), it should work, try it
Vika (Ekaterinburg) Today
That's great! I need to order, otherwise I’m already tormented with these warts! After all, a woman always wants to be beautiful!
Kristina (Minsk) Today
I had papillomas removed with a laser, quickly and without pain. But it's damn expensive.

Traditional Treatments

Official methods include treatment in an aesthetic medicine clinic or beauty salon, as well as in a hospital, as directed by a dermatologist. The basis of correct treatment is accurate diagnosis. After making a diagnosis, the doctor decides on the choice of treatment method and means, which are individual in each case.

The patient is prescribed:

antiviral therapy (drugs aimed at destroying the human papillomavirus);
destructive (cauterizing drugs: verrucacid or feresol, cryodestruction, laser removal, electrocoagulation);
immunomodulatory therapy.

Cauterizing drugs

Special preparations include Verrukacid and Solcoderm with a cauterizing effect, which are used only externally.

Verrucacid also has an antiviral effect. Pharmacological effects include cauterization and exfoliation of the wart and the destruction of the virus in the affected cells around it.

When using the drug, a possible danger is a burn to healthy skin around the tumor. To avoid burns, lubricate the area around the wart with Vaseline or baby cream before applying verrucacid. The medicine can be applied to the wart up to 10 times at intervals of 2-5 minutes.

Also destructive drugs include salicylic acid and Solcoderm, but they are more often used in beauty salons.

Cryodestruction, laser and surgical removal of warts

A quick and effective method of combating warts is cryodestruction or treatment with liquid nitrogen. Nitrogen is applied to the formation, which is enough for 30 seconds to kill the tissue (necrosis).

An hour after application, a bubble appears on the skin, which dries within a week.

A crust appears at the site of cryodestruction, which falls off over time, leaving no trace of the treatment.

There are drugs for “home” cryodestruction - Cryopharma and Wartner Cryo, but their effectiveness is very controversial.

Laser removal of tumors is carried out using a pulsed laser, which glues the vascular walls of the blood capillaries feeding the wart. After the procedure, a bruise appears, which disappears after 7-14 days, scars do not appear.

Photos before and after

This is what doctors say patients look like before and after laser therapy. Keep in mind that any serious clinic has its own photographs in its portfolio and will show them to you if you want to undergo the procedure. Well, if the doctor has nothing to show, then you probably shouldn’t trust him.

Another treatment method is based on cauterization of the tumor with electric current. Wart removal is carried out using an electrocoagulator; the procedure lasts 15 minutes, after which a crust forms.

Of all the options, laser removal of warts is preferable. It is less traumatic for the skin; a scar does not appear after removal of the tumor. In any case, before starting treatment, be sure to consult a dermatologist.

Types of papillomas on the face

In order to distinguish a flat wart on the face from other types of papillomas, you need to know the types of this insidious disease.

There are many types of papillomas on the face. To select the correct course of treatment and obtain optimal results, it is necessary to determine what type of warts the patient has on the face. Based on a visual examination, a dermatologist can determine whether you belong to one type or another, and if necessary, refer you for additional examinations.

Simple (vulgar) papillomas. They are compacted, rough nodules that rise above the surface of the skin by an average of 2-5 mm and form group clusters localized on the chin, as well as in the areas of the periocular folds.
Filiform (acrochord) papillomas. They appear in the form of small, rough, elongated growths that appear mainly on the eyelids and are light brown in color.
Flat papillomas. They have a smooth surface, barely noticeably rise above the skin, and are located in groups on the chin, on the cheeks, in the area around the lips and eyes. They come in flesh-colored or light yellow light.

Appearance and localization

This is one of the types of growths that appear periodically on the surface of the skin of people infected with the human papillomavirus. Most often, flat warts appear on the face and neck. They are small round growths that rise above the surface of the skin by about 1 mm. The diameter of the formations is 3–5 mm. They are often multiple, the color ranges from yellowish to gray. These warts do not cause any discomfort other than aesthetic ones, and therefore are regarded as a cosmetic defect. Occurs mainly in children and adolescents. They are also called “teenage warts.” But in some cases they also appear in adults.

Like other growths of this nature, flat warts have all the characteristic features of the species: a body, a root and thin black threads that penetrate both. However, due to its small size, it is not always possible to examine the growth structure with the naked eye. Another feature is the high content of the virus in the body of the growth. Therefore, it is advisable to remove them, especially if they begin to increase in size and/or number.

In this regard, flat warts on the face must be removed as soon as they form. But self-medication in this case is completely excluded, since the risk of errors and, as a consequence, complications is too high. Any manipulation in the facial area must be extremely careful. Acceptable treatment methods include:

laser removal;
radio wave removal;
removal with liquid nitrogen.

The latter method is used with extreme caution in the face area; it is not recommended at all near the eyes. The electrocoagulation method is also unacceptable. As for the use of creams, ointments, and patches for warts, their use can lead to serious skin burns, since the composition of such preparations is quite aggressive. The consequences of mistakes when removing growths from the face may include marks, scars, etc.