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White-colored warts on the skin of hands and feet
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Warts are high-quality skin growths related to its viral lesions. They can be located anywhere: on the arms, legs, face, body and even in intimate areas. In visible places they look unaesthetic and people try to get rid of them, especially women. Among their large variety there are so-called white or colorless ones.
Causes white wart
Scientists have proven that the cause of warts is the human papilloma virus. It was discovered in 1971. It is transmitted from person to person through physical contact, common household items. Even through small skin defects, it penetrates inside, but does not immediately appear. Decreased immunity, frequent colds, excessive sweating and poor hygiene, hormonal changes, stress become the impetus for their formation.
They come in different shapes and colors, including white. Why does a wart turn white? This type is considered abnormal, because due to human characteristics, melanocyte cells in them are unable to produce the skin pigment melanin.
Risk factors
The wart itself does not pose a health hazard, although it carries the risk of degeneration into a malignant tumor. Usually, several decades pass from the day of infection to degeneration, and such factors as metabolic disorders, decreased body defenses due to smoking, alcohol, and hormonal changes can accelerate the process.
Forms
White warts come in different locations:
- on the body, in any of its parts;
- on the face;
- on the arms and legs;
- in language.
Flat (also called juvenile) white warts form in children and adolescents mainly on the face and back of the hands. They rise above the surface by 1-2 mm, have a strict outline and rounded shapes.
If a lump with a dent in the middle and a white dot appears on the skin, then this is another type of viral infection, related to the smallpox species - molluscum contagiosum. When pressed, a cheesy plug is released from it. Most often, it does not require treatment and disappears on its own within six months.
Dry white warts originate from keratinized tissue infected with a virus. They are rarely found on the face, but are more common on the hands and feet.
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Diagnostics white wart
Warts are diagnosed visually by a dermatologist. If a malignant process is suspected, a biopsy is performed.
Treatment white wart
A white wart tends to disappear on its own within a few years. But if it spoils the appearance or is located in a place of potential injury, then it becomes necessary to resort to its elimination.
Like any wart, it is an external manifestation of the human papilloma virus, so the problem is not solved by removing it alone. The treatment protocol includes several stages:
- removal, which involves various methods: surgical, radio wave, laser, liquid nitrogen, cauterization with drugs;
- strengthening the immune system with the help of immunomodulators;
- taking antiviral drugs.
Medicines
Most people do not like to immediately contact a specialist with any problem and believe that they can cope with it themselves. In pharmacies, you can find many drugs that allow you to try to do this by burning. Their list is not small: solcoderm, verrukatsid, duofilm, collomak, salicylic, oxolinic, ointments, vartox, etc.
Solcoderm - this solution contains a number of acids (oxalic, acetic, nitric, lactic), due to the action of which their pharmacological effect occurs. The instructions warn that the procedure should only be carried out by medical personnel. No more than 3 formations can be treated at the same time.
First, the area is lubricated with ether or alcohol, then the ampoule of the substance is opened (a new one each time) and the contents are applied to the wart using an applicator. Within the next 5 minutes, it should change color to yellowish or gray.
The appearance of redness is natural, after a few days it changes to a scab, which falls off by itself. If this does not happen, you can repeat.
Excessive use of the substance may cause deeper damage to the skin, leaving scars. Solcoderm can be used from the age of 5, pregnant women should postpone the procedure to a later date, after childbirth.
Vartoks - the drug contains urea, which has the property of softening the wart, after which it is easily removed with pumice. The cream paste is applied in a thick layer to the formation, a layer of cotton wool is placed on it, fixed with a plaster or bandage. It is removed after 24 hours, after which a scraper or pumice is used. The procedure can be repeated again. Contraindicated in case of individual intolerance to the components.
You can strengthen the body's resistance to infections by using medications: polyoxidonium, roncoleukin, etc.
Polyoxidonium is a tablet that increases the resistance of the respiratory tract, nasopharynx, and gastrointestinal tract to infectious agents.
Recommended for use in a dose of 12 mg 2-3 times a day half an hour before meals under the tongue for adolescents over 12 years old, adults - 24 mg. May in rare cases cause hypersensitivity reactions.
Antiviral drugs include isoprinosine, epigen, etc.
Isoprinosine - suppresses virus synthesis. Tablets are prescribed depending on body weight: 1 piece per 10 kg for children, after 12 years - a tablet per kilogram of weight, divided into 3-4 doses, but not more than 4 g per day.
In viral diseases, the average duration of treatment is 2 weeks. Not prescribed for elevated uric acid levels in the blood, exacerbation of gout, pregnancy and breastfeeding, children under 1 year.
Side effects include increased nervousness, sleep disturbances, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
Folk remedies
There are many recipes for getting rid of warts among people:
- Grate a clove, mix with the same amount of honey and butter. Lubricate the knot, apply a bandage overnight, remove in the morning. Repeat for a month;
- squeeze lemon juice and treat the wart with it every 2-3 hours. You can also use apple cider vinegar or regular table vinegar for this;
- A piece of cotton wool is soaked in 5% iodine and applied overnight until it falls off.
Read also: Removing warts with celandine
Herbal treatment
Celandine is often used as an herb to remove warts. In summer, you can simply pick a leaf and attach it to the growth with a bandage. For winter, you can prepare an infusion. Place the crushed stems of the plant in a glass container, pour in alcohol or vodka, and leave for 2 weeks. It can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time.
A potion is made from wormwood in the same way.
Kalanchoe leaves are lightly pressed to release juice, applied to the wart, then a layer of celandine and a tight bandage. Keep for 24 hours. Repeat after a day.
Crush cornflower seeds and mix with pork fat, grease.
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Homeopathy
Homeopaths also have something to offer for warts:
- medorrhinum;
- thuja occidentalis;
- causticum;
- antimonium crudum;
- Nitricum acidum.
Homeopathic medicines are taken orally. The dosage and duration of treatment are selected individually by the specialist.
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Surgical treatment
The wart is excised with a scalpel under local anesthesia, using nitrogen removal. If the affected area is extensive, stitches are applied. Surgical treatment is not only a method to get rid of the growth, but also to prevent the risk of oncology.
Prevention
The main preventive measure against the occurrence of various growths is a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, and the absence of stress. These factors will provide good immunity, prevent infection with the human papilloma virus, and will not provoke an impetus for its manifestation.
It is very important to maintain hygiene, wash your hands well after contact with wart owners, and disinfect cuts and abrasions promptly.
Forecast
Despite the various folk methods of getting rid of warts, only within the walls of a medical or cosmetic institution can the neoplasm be safely removed with a confident favorable prognosis.
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