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Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

  • Subungual warts, as doctors note, are a rare problem in practice.
  • In general, warts most often appear either on the backs of the hands or on the feet in the sole area.
  • However, in rare cases they can be detected under the nail.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

Why subungual warts appear on the feet and hands, and how to determine what they are, patients often ask their doctors.

What treatment methods should be used, and what preventive measures will help prevent the disease?

Why does a subungual wart appear?

They themselves are skin protrusions that form under the influence of a virus.

They appear due to the fact that the human papillomavirus disrupts the processes of normal division in epidermal cells.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

  1. In most cases, such defects are safe, do not cause discomfort and do not degenerate into malignant tumors.
  2. A wart is usually a purely aesthetic problem, which causes inconvenience to the patient precisely because it spoils the appearance.
  3. Warts are defects on the skin that appear under the influence of the human papillomavirus.
  4. In modern conditions, it is very easy to become infected with this virus.
  5. The virus is transmitted primarily through sexual contact.
  6. You can also become infected with it at home, and children often get the disease from their mothers at the time of birth, when they pass through the birth canal.
  7. HPV has many strains, many of which are oncogenic.
  8. However, those strains that cause warts are not considered oncogenic.
  9. The risk of malignancy in this case is minimal.
  10. However, even if HPV lives in the human body, not everyone still gets warts.
  11. This is explained by the fact that to activate the virus, exposure to a number of provoking factors is necessary.
  12. A subungual wart on the hand or lower limb can occur due to:
  • poorly placed burr;
  • after trauma to the skin on the fingers or the nail bed itself;
  • against the background of the habit of constantly biting nails;
  • in case of careless manicure manipulations (for example, the cause may be cuts, the use of dirty tools, injuries, etc.);
  • constant exposure of the skin to various chemicals.

If we are talking about legs, then additional reasons may be:

  • the use of incorrectly sized shoes (also, if the shoes are very rough, they can also cause pathology);
  • visiting public places, such as a sauna, steam bath or swimming pool, without slippers;
  • habit of wearing someone else's shoes.

The presence of ingrown toenails or excessive sweating of both the upper and lower extremities can also contribute to the development of the disease.  

Subungual wart: symptoms of pathology

  • Before deciding how to get rid of it, it is necessary to determine that this particular pathology has appeared on the skin.
  • With normally located growths there are usually no difficulties.
  • They are defined as small formations that have a convex shape.
  • Initially, the surface of the defect is smoothed.
  • But over time, growths appear on it, it becomes rough, and the skin pattern disappears.
  • If you carefully examine the growth, you can find small dark dots and stripes on it.
  • There is no need to be afraid: these are just thrombosed capillary vessels.
  • Formations located under the nail can be somewhat more difficult to determine.
  • This is explained by their location.
  • If the wart is not large, the patient may not even be aware of its existence.
  • The color of the defect, which rarely differs from the main color of the skin, contributes to long-term ignoring of the pathology.
  • While the growth is small, it does not cause any inconvenience.
  • The patient first begins to suspect that he has problems at the moment when the wart begins to grow.
  • Initially, attention is drawn to the change in the thickness of the nail plate.
  • The thinning gradually increases until the nail plate is completely destroyed by the formation.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

  1. If the wart is located on one of the toes, it can significantly interfere with walking.
  2. For example, it may be rubbed or squeezed by shoes.
  3. As a result, the patient will begin to noticeably limp, and his mobility will be greatly limited. 
  4. Usually the rashes do not hurt.
  5. However, if the defect is large in size and is often injured due to friction or other influences, it may bleed and respond to external influences with pain.
  6. We also must not forget that frequent traumatization to the point of bleeding can contribute to the addition of a secondary infection.
  7. They talk about it when any bacteria settles on an injured wart, triggering purulent processes.
  8. Secondary infection can lead to quite severe pain, suppuration and a number of other complications.

Confirming the diagnosis of a subungual wart

  • Before starting treatment, it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis.
  • For this, the patient is recommended to consult a dermatologist.
  • It is this specialist who is involved in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases caused by the human papillomavirus.
  • If the doctor is competent enough, in most cases an examination is enough for him to make the correct diagnosis.
  • However, the wart is not always well located, which can make it difficult to visually assess the growth.
  • In this case, it is recommended to use additional diagnostic methods to dispel doubts about the diagnosis.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

  1. Basically, biopsy and dermatoscopy can be used as additional tests.
  2. A wart is distinguished from a callus based primarily on whether the skin pattern is preserved.
  3. If the pattern is preserved, then a callus is diagnosed, and if it is erased, then we are talking about a growth caused by HPV.
  4. It is also important to remember that there are no thrombosed capillaries (dark dots and stripes) in the structure of the calluses.
  5. Localized under the nail, warts often cause it to grow.
  6. This disease may resemble a fungal infection.
  7. To make sure that the patient’s nail is not affected by a fungus, the doctor orders a culture.
  8. If the results are negative, then the diagnosis is obvious.

Treatment of subungual warts with medications

  • When wondering how to cure a pathology, patients often turn to a doctor for advice.
  • As doctors note, there are conservative and surgical methods of therapy.
  • Conservative methods are given greater preference today.
  • Since they are safer for health and cause fewer various complications.
  • Conservative therapy refers to the use of drugs that have antiviral activity.
  • They are used mainly locally, but systemic use is also possible.
  • To suppress the human papillomavirus, drugs such as Cycloferon, Isoprinosine, etc. can be prescribed.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

  1. They are taken orally, and the dose and regimen are determined by a dermatologist on an individual basis.
  2. Warts can also be treated using various external remedies.
  3. There are several groups of drugs that can be used depending on the number of defects and their size.
  4. Most often doctors recommend:
  • acid-based drugs that have a necrotizing effect (Verrukacid);
  • refrigerant-based preparations that burn out defects using liquid nitrogen (Cryopharm);
  • agents from the group of keratolytics (Collomac).

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

Any of these remedies will help cope with defects that are superficial and small in size.

If the growth is deep and large, you should consult a doctor for surgical correction.

Removal of subungual warts

  • Removal is performed by a doctor in a hospital or outpatient setting.
  • The decision on the type of operation and its volume is made individually in each case.
  • In most cases, minimally invasive techniques are used, for which there is no need to use general anesthesia.
  • The risk of complications when removing warts using these techniques is minimized.
  • Can be used:
  • laser removal, when the defect is burned out by a specially calibrated and directed beam of laser beams;
  • electrocoagulation, in which the growth is burned out due to the action of current;
  • cryodestruction, in which, as in the case of refrigerants, exposure is carried out using liquid nitrogen;
  • a radio wave knife, in which the growth is destroyed by specially directed and calibrated waves.

If we are talking about a defect located under the nail, in most cases the removal procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

  1. As soon as the manipulation is completed, the patient is immediately sent home, giving him only a few recommendations on how to care for the intervention area.
  2. Typically, it is recommended to treat the problem area with antiseptics and wait until the resulting crust comes off on its own.
  3. It is important to keep in mind that if the crust is peeled off, an irreparable defect may form in its place.

Features of subungual warts in children

  • Doctors note that young children suffer from warts of various locations, including subunguals, more often than adults.
  • Infection of the child occurs at the time of birth, when it passes through the maternal birth canal.
  • At the same time, as doctors say, the placenta can no longer protect him, since it has ceased to perform its barrier functions.
  • The frequent appearance of warts in a child is due to the fact that the baby’s immune system is not yet fully matured to fully fight viral aggression.
  • Typically, defects in children disappear on their own; no additional treatment is required.
  • It is important not to treat warts in children on your own.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

  1. If a defect appears, you should see a doctor.
  2. Attempts to fight the disease at home can result in the nail plate being severely deformed or completely destroyed.
  3. In general, if the growth is single and does not cause any inconvenience to the baby, it is generally recommended not to touch it.
  4. There is a high probability that as soon as the immune system gets stronger, the growth will disappear on its own, without outside help.
  5. On the other hand, if there are a lot of growths on the baby’s body, and they are all quite large or growing, it is worth visiting a doctor.
  6. However, if parents doubt the normality of the growth, a consultation with a pediatrician will not be superfluous.

Ways to prevent subungual warts

It is much easier to prevent a problem than to look for an effective cure.

To reduce the likelihood of developing pathology, patients are recommended to:

  • avoid walking barefoot in public places or any other areas where there is a risk of contracting an infection;
  • refuse to wear other people’s socks, shoes, gloves and other personal items through which the virus can become infected;
  • do not do manicures and pedicures in dubious places, contact only trusted professionals, where the instruments accurately undergo all the necessary processing after each client;

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

  • unlearn the habit of biting your nails or biting hangnails with your teeth;
  • accustom yourself to treating wounds received during any work with an antiseptic;
  • pay special attention to the choice of shoes, making sure that they not only fit in size, but are also made of high-quality materials;
  • keep your immune system in working order by following general recommendations for leading a healthy lifestyle.
  • Growths under the nails are usually not dangerous.
  • But they can cause very noticeable physical or psychological discomfort.
  • If a growth appears, it is recommended to seek help from a doctor.
  • To establish the cause of its formation and choose the optimal treatment tactics.
  • It is important to remember that if warts appear too often, this is a good reason to visit an immunologist.
  • Although a defect under the nail can cause discomfort, it is quite easy to deal with.
  • The main thing is to seek help from a doctor and follow the recommendations received from him.
  • If you suspect a subungual wart, contact the author of this article, a dermatologist in Moscow with 20 years of experience.
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Source: https://kvd-moskva.ru/podnogteva/

Periungual warts: causes and treatment

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

A periungual wart is a benign growth (growth) on the skin around the nail plate (occasionally it may appear under the nail itself).

Periungual warts are a type of common wart; they often form in the area next to or under the nail plate. This disease has a viral etiology and is manifested by the formation of papules (nodules) on the surface of the skin, protruding above the epithelium.

Such tumors are benign formations, but in some cases they can degenerate into malignant ones. The appearance of periungual warts is caused by the penetration of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which has up to 100 different types, into the body.

Mostly children who suffer from relapses have the bad habit of biting their nails and the skin around them.

Papillomas that form near the nails are usually divided into two types:

  • arising under the nails - subungual;
  • those formed on the surface of the cuticle near the nail plate are pre-nail or periungual.

The first ones are localized under the nail; the nodules are small in size and practically do not differ in color from the skin. Most often, such warts are not noticed because they do not cause any problems.

Trouble begins only when the subungual papule formed under the nail increases in size and continues to grow. In this case, the nail gradually becomes thinner, which leads to its deformation and, as a result, destruction.

It is also noted that periungual warts on the feet begin to cause severe pain due to the fact that the foot is compressed by shoes. This leads to the fact that the patient begins to limp and his mobility will inevitably be limited.

Therefore, if such a pathology exists, it is recommended to consult a specialist to make a diagnosis and choose the right treatment.

A periungual or periungual wart is a wart that has formed on the hands or feet near the nail itself. Such a papilloma is almost immediately detected by the patient, since it is a tumor on the surface of the epithelium, rising more or less above its level.

A wart of this type has a flat outline or may have a root that extends deeply into the tissue. Papillomas with the root, increasing in size, begin to capture the nearby growing nail, which causes its damage.

As a result, its surface is distorted and it is gradually destroyed.

If you examine periungual warts in detail, you will notice tiny dots and stripes on their surface, which indicate the appearance of blood clots in the capillaries.

Nail warts on the hands are often injured. This causes the papule to begin to bleed. In this case, autoinoculation occurs, that is, the patient becomes self-infected.

  • It is important to note that subungual or periungual warts appear much less frequently than other types.

Causes of periungual warts

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

The photo shows a neglected periungual wart

As mentioned above, the cause of the occurrence of such papillomas is infection with HPV, which penetrates through microtraumas in the skin.

This could be an accidental injury, a manicure performed in violation of sanitary standards (cuts or the use of an infected instrument), contact with a carrier of the disease, or the use of things of a person infected with HPV.

The virus itself can enter the human body even in childhood, but not manifest itself until “favorable” conditions are created for it:

  • general decrease in immunity;
  • presence of hangnails;
  • habit of biting nails and cuticles;
  • working without protective gloves with household chemicals or chemicals that irritate the skin on the hands.

These are the factors influencing the formation of periungual warts on the hands. If we talk about papillomas under the nail plate on the toes, their appearance can be caused by:

  • wearing someone else's shoes;
  • lack of special shoes in saunas or swimming pools;
  • wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes made of rough or non-breathable materials;
  • increased sweating on the feet;
  • presence of ingrown toenails.

Diagnosis and symptoms of periungual warts

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

If warts have formed near the nail plate or under it, then they can very easily be confused with the characteristic features of other diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist who can correctly diagnose the tumor and prescribe appropriate treatment to eliminate papilloma. Self-medication in this case can lead to negative results. A competent specialist, after examining the skin and neoplasms on it, will quickly make a diagnosis. Occasionally, doctors prescribe additional tests to eliminate the risk of developing cancer.

Periungual warts look very much like calluses. However, the main difference between a callus and a papilloma is that the skin pattern is preserved on the surface of the former and thrombosed capillaries are not visible in its structure. But on the surface of the papules black specks are clearly visible. This is easy to notice even with a visual inspection.

When a wart forms under the nail plate, gradual destruction of the nail occurs , and this is very similar in appearance to a fungal infection. If we compare the photos presented in many literary medical sources, the pathologies are completely indistinguishable in appearance. In this case, it is necessary to sow mushrooms. If the patient has HPV, it will test negative.

If necessary, the dermatologist may additionally recommend undergoing:

  • Dermatoscopy. During the procedure, a dermoscope device is used, which displays the surface of the formation at tenfold magnification. Structure, symmetry and contours become more clearly visible.
  • Biopsy. In this case, tiny parts of the skin nodule are taken for examination under a microscope.

Treatment of periungual warts: pharmaceutical preparations

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

Traditional medicine offers several treatments for periungual warts. They are usually divided into two groups - conservative treatment and surgical intervention.

Conservative therapy refers to the prescription of medications that fight HPV and help improve immunity. Usually these are medications for oral administration. The most effective of them:

  • Cycloferon - price starts from 135 rubles;
  • Anaferon - from 198 rubles;
  • Isoprinosine - cost starts from 587 rubles.

You should not take these medications for self-medication. Only a specialist can prescribe them based on the clinical picture of the disease. In some cases, dermatologists recommend topical treatment.

Products for external use are prescribed depending on how many warts appear, what their size is and where they are located.

The list of the most effective medications for external use includes:

  • Imiquimod (from RUB 2,019) is an immunomodulator.
  • Solcoderm (price varies from 401 to 1,489 rubles) and Verrukacid (from 211 rubles) are acid-based medications that promote tissue necrosis.
  • Viferon (from 123 rubles) - antiviral ointment.
  • Cryopharma (from RUB 859) is a refrigerant that freezes warts.
  • Salicylic acid (price from 6 rubles) and Collomak (price ranges from 264 to 490 rubles) are keratolytic agents that destroy the stratum corneum of papilloma.

The doctor prescribes all of the above medications for the treatment of small periungual warts that are located on the surface of the skin. If the papilloma is large, has a deep root or is an old formation, then it is recommended to resort to surgery.

  • about home remedies for papillomas for external use

Removal of periungual warts

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

Surgical methods for getting rid of periungual warts are used when the above drugs have not brought a positive result, and the papilloma causes problems, both cosmetic and physical (for example, pain). In medicine today there are several radical ways to get rid of periungual warts, these include:

  1. Cryodestruction is carried out by cauterizing the problematic skin formation with liquid nitrogen. Usually, it takes up to a minute to cauterize the wart. In its place, a whitened area may remain, which resembles a burn. After a few days, the crust disappears and a small indentation remains on the skin, which heals in 2–3 days. Although this method is considered the most gentle, it has contraindications. People suffering from diabetes, preschool children and pregnant women should not burn warts with liquid nitrogen. The effectiveness of cryodestruction is quite high and is in the range of 70–100%. Relapse is possible only in 15% of cases. To remove one wart you need to pay from 300 rubles.
  2. The radio wave method is based on the use of the Surgitron apparatus, in which electric current is converted into radio waves with a frequency of 3.8-4.0 MHz. Under the influence of the device, the surface of the wart begins to evaporate. The advantage of the procedure is that no blood is released. This method is also called "radio wave knife". The effectiveness of removal is in the range of 80-90%, cases of relapse are only 2-5%. The cost of removing a papule starts from 600 rubles.
  3. Laser coagulation. A laser beam is used to burn out the papilloma, causing its tissue to evaporate. A crust remains at the site of the wart, which falls off after 2-4 weeks. Removing one nodule takes several minutes. There is a high level of efficiency - 93%. The price starts from 140 rubles.
  4. Surgical method. Occasionally, excision of the wart with a scalpel is required. However, such an operation is performed exclusively by surgeons. The damaged part of the epithelium is excised and a cosmetic suture is applied to the wound, after which a whitish scar will remain. This method is the most traumatic and requires long rehabilitation. It is prescribed when it is necessary to obtain wart tissue for research. The removal efficiency is 50–60%, and relapses occur in 50% of cases. The price of surgical intervention starts from 350 rubles.
  5. Electrocoagulation. The procedure uses high-frequency current. Pathological skin formations are cut off with a wire loop, and the remaining wound gradually heals. Disinfection of healthy epithelial tissue also occurs. If we talk about the effectiveness of this method, it varies in the range from 80 to 95%. The price can start from 500 rubles. for the removal of one periungual wart.

Typically, such procedures are carried out by doctors in outpatient clinics and the patient can return home within a short period of time. The period allotted for rehabilitation after surgery depends on which method was used to get rid of periungual warts.

Important!!! With any method of exposure, the features of caring for the place where the wart was are practically no different - in no case should you peel off the formed crust, and it is recommended to treat the skin with products with antiseptic and antibacterial effects.

  • Read about recipes with propolis for warts
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Treatment of periungual warts at home

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

Photo of periungual warts on women's fingers

You can get rid of periungual warts yourself. Since ancient times, folk healers have recommended a large number of ways to solve this problem almost painlessly. However, here you need to be patient and carefully follow the recipe.

Periungual warts are lubricated with juice squeezed from the stems of celandine. Thyme, onion, euphorbia and juice from ripened rowan berries are also used.

For a long time, castor oil and finely grated horseradish mixed with salt have been used to treat warts (read how to use castor oil for papillomas).

Wild parsley, purslane and wild apples are also popular because these plant solutions are highly acidic. You can lubricate the skin tumors that appear with the juice of castor beans and grapevines.

A more gentle, but no less effective effect is provided by rubbing with rose petals, rosehip tincture or juice of the hairy hawkweed. Among the aggressive agents, acetic acid is isolated, which is applied daily to the periungual wart when treated at home.

When using these folk recipes, it was noted that the surface of the papilloma began to turn black. This indicates the death of the tissues of the formation. At this time, it is not recommended to cut off the wart; it is better to wait until it falls off on its own. If you do not adhere to this rule, you can provoke a relapse.

Periungual warts in children

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

Periungual warts often form in children due to the immaturity of the immune system of the young body, as well as regular injuries. Many of the above methods for treating and removing warts are quite painful, so parents try to cope with the disease on their own and resort to traditional methods of treating such papillomas. However, warts are not so easy to treat, and by delaying time, you can wait until the nail plate begins to deform and, as a result, collapse.

If a child is diagnosed with a single periungual wart that does not cause any trouble, then even dermatologists recommend not to self-medicate, but to wait a little. This is due to the fact that in childhood and adolescence such formations can disappear without outside intervention. The need to consult a specialist arises in the following cases:

  • the number of warts is rapidly increasing;
  • the size of the papules is growing;
  • periungual warts begin to bleed and are often injured;
  • During a visual examination, there is doubt that the neoplasm is a wart.

Prevention of periungual warts

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

Since the human papillomavirus enters the body through microtraumas on the skin, you should adhere to the following rules:

  1. It is mandatory to use personal shoes when visiting public places (saunas, swimming pools, gyms). When you get home, dry it thoroughly.
  2. You cannot wear someone else’s shoes, as well as socks, tights, mittens, etc.
  3. Manicures and pedicures should only be done by trusted professionals in salons, where all instruments are processed according to sanitary hygiene requirements after each client’s appointment.
  4. It is important to fight the bad habit of biting your nails, biting cuticles and hangnails.
  5. If minimal trauma to the skin occurs, it is recommended to treat the wound with antiseptic agents.
  6. Take vitamin courses.
  7. When working with food products (meat, fish or other products), wear gloves.
  8. Wear gloves when working with aggressive substances and household chemicals.
  9. Limit contact with people with warts.

If a relapse occurs and periungual warts begin to form again, you need to contact an immunologist and ask to prescribe an immunogram. In all likelihood, the level of the body's defenses is greatly reduced and you will need to take a course of immunostimulating drugs.

How to remove a periungual wart, see the following video:

  • Read about lapis pencil for warts

Source: https://dermatologys.ru/lechenie-vzroslyh/92-okolonogtevye-borodavki-prichiny-i-lechenie.html

Subungual wart: causes, symptoms, treatment, removal

A subungual wart is a fairly rare occurrence. Most often, such formations appear on the backs of the palms and soles of the feet. But accidental injuries and improperly performed manicure can trigger the appearance of these elements around and under the nails.

What are warts

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growthsWarts are skin growths of a viral nature, formed as a result of the proliferation of epidermal cells. In most cases, they do not cause any discomfort and are a purely aesthetic defect. They are not prone to degeneration into malignant tumors.

Without treatment, warts can persist for years, although they often resolve and disappear on their own.

Causes of subungual warts

The human papillomavirus is responsible for the occurrence of warts of any localization. Infection occurs through contact and household contact through damaged skin.

With good immunity, the virus can remain dormant in the body for a long time. But with a decrease in protective forces, it turns into an active form and causes the development of warts and papillomas.

Additionally, various provoking factors may contribute to this.

A wart on the hand near the nail often occurs in the following situations:

  • in the presence of hangnails;
  • after cuts and injuries to the skin of the fingers;
  • due to the habit of biting nails;
  • in case of errors during manicure (cuts, injuries, use of contaminated tools);
  • after skin irritation with chemicals, including household chemicals.

A wart on the foot under the nail develops after the action of the following provoking factors:

  • wearing tight, uncomfortable or rough shoes;
  • visiting the pool, bathhouse or sauna barefoot;
  • wearing someone else's shoes.

Increased sweating and ingrown toenails also contribute to the occurrence of periungual warts on the feet.

Symptoms of warts

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growthsTypically, warts are round-shaped formations that do not rise much above the skin. Their surface is initially smooth, but over time it becomes rough and becomes covered with horny growths. The skin pattern disappears.

There are two types of such formations on the fingers near the nails:

  • subungual wart (located under the nail);
  • periungual or periungual wart (on the cuticle near the nail).

In the first case, the element is located under the nail. It may be small and indistinguishable in color from the surrounding skin. In such cases, they are absolutely invisible and do not cause inconvenience. Problems begin when a wart under a fingernail or toenail begins to grow.

This first provokes thinning of the nail plate, and then its deformation and destruction. Moreover, a wart under the toenail, due to compression by shoes, can be very painful and lead to lameness of the patient or limited mobility.

Therefore, with such a pathology, you should definitely contact a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.

A periungual or periungual wart is a wart near the fingernail or toenail.

Its appearance usually does not go unnoticed, since it is a growth that rises to one degree or another above the level of the skin. Nail warts can be flat or have a deep root.

In the latter case, the elements during growth spread to the adjacent nail, causing its damage, deformation and destruction.

When examining warts in detail, you can notice small dark dots and stripes on them, which are actually thrombosed capillaries.

On the hand near the nail, a wart can often become injured during everyday work and bleed. On the feet, the same thing happens when there is pressure from shoes or when there are rough seams in the toe area.

Due to frequent damage, these warts may appear darker in color than the surrounding skin.

In such situations, there is always a risk of infection, which is a good reason to consult a doctor for help.

Diagnostics

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growthsWarts of this localization can be confused with other pathologies. Therefore, it is better to entrust the diagnosis and choice of therapeutic tactics to a doctor and not self-medicate. For a competent dermatologist to make a diagnosis, it is enough to examine the skin formations. In some cases, additional research may be necessary.

Warts around the nails are very similar to calluses. The main difference between them is the preservation of the skin pattern on the surface of the calluses and the absence of thrombosed capillaries (black dots on the surface) in their structure upon visual inspection.

Warts under the nail cause its destruction, which is clinically very similar to a fungal infection (photos of these pathologies in the medical literature are practically the same). But a negative culture for fungi will quickly clarify the situation in terms of the etiology of the disease.

If necessary, the doctor will additionally prescribe a dermatoscopy and biopsy of the formation.

Treatment of warts

Official medicine offers many ways to get rid of warts near and under the nails. Conventionally, all of them can be divided into two large groups: conservative therapy and surgical removal.

Conservative treatment of warts

Conservative therapy involves taking antiviral and immunostimulating drugs orally and local treatment.

Warts are a viral disease. Therefore, the use of drugs that inhibit viruses is completely justified. For this purpose, doctors prescribe Cycloferon, Anaferon, Isoprinosine, etc.

In case of reduced immunity, the use of immunostimulating and immunomodulating agents is indicated. You should take such medications only as prescribed by your doctor.

External remedies for warts

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growthsThe most common treatments for warts are topical medications. Depending on the number of elements, their size and location, medications from different groups are used:

  • immunomodulators (Imiquimod);
  • based on acids with a necrotizing effect (Solcoderm, Verrukacid);
  • antiviral (Viferon);
  • refrigerants (Cryopharma);
  • keratolytic agents (salicylic acid and ointment, Collomac).

Small and superficial elements can be removed using these drugs. In order to get rid of large, deep or old warts, you have to resort to surgical methods.

Surgery

If you can’t get rid of warts using conservative methods, but you still don’t want to live with them, surgery with its radical but gentle techniques comes to the rescue. These include:

  • laser removal;
  • removal using the Surgitron apparatus (radio wave knife);
  • cryodestruction;
  • electrocoagulation.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growthsThese manipulations are performed by a dermatologist on an outpatient basis. A few minutes after the procedure, the patient can go home. The rehabilitation period varies in time depending on the method used by the doctor to remove periungual warts. But the features of caring for the wound surface are similar for all methods - you cannot peel off the formed crust, the skin must be treated with antiseptic and antibacterial agents.

In some cases, excision of the wart with a scalpel is required. This operation is performed only by surgeons. After it there is always a long rehabilitation and a high risk of scarring, so it is prescribed only for serious indications.

Features of subungual warts in children

Warts are more common in children than in adults. This is due to the immaturity of the immune system and frequent skin injuries. At the same time, self-resolution of such elements is also observed more often in them than in adults.

Read also:  Warts on the hands: main causes and effective treatments

Most wart removal methods are quite painful. Therefore, parents of children are in no hurry to consult doctors, but resort to traditional medicine methods. This is not the best option. There is little chance of getting rid of warts through self-medication, but it is quite possible to end up with deformation and destruction of the nail plate.

If a child has a single wart that does not bother him in any way, you don’t have to take any action, but just wait. There is a chance that it will disappear on its own. But you should definitely see a doctor if:

  • there are many warts;
  • they grow;
  • are injured and bleed;
  • new elements continue to appear;
  • There are doubts that this is a wart.

If any of these conditions occur, you should not put off visiting a dermatologist.

How to prevent the formation of subungual warts

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growthsPrevention of this pathology, first of all, comes down to following the rules of personal hygiene:

  • you cannot walk barefoot in public places;
  • It is not recommended to wear someone else’s shoes, socks, tights, gloves, etc.;
  • manicures and pedicures should be done only in trusted places, where all necessary processing of instruments is carried out after each client;
  • Do not bite your nails or hangnails;
  • In case of cuts, you should immediately treat the wounds with antiseptics.

In the case of frequently recurring warts, you should definitely consult an immunologist and check your immunogram. You may need to take immunomodulatory drugs to stimulate the body's defenses.

Warts around and under nails are rare. Most often, they do not cause any inconvenience other than aesthetic discomfort. Fortunately, medicine offers many ways to get rid of these formations on the skin quickly and without a trace.

Video about warts

Source: https://MedoDerm.ru/borodavki/borodavka-pod-nogtem.html

Wart under the nail: TOP removal methods, prevention

A broken nail is not the most unpleasant situation that can happen to a person. A subungual wart that appears on the fingers can cause discomfort and self-doubt. This problem most often worries children and adolescents from 8 to 16 years old. It does not cause any discomfort until it reaches a large size and begins to interfere.

What is a formation around the nail

This is a benign formation that appears due to the papilloma virus. It can appear on both the leg and the arm, sometimes the disease affects several fingers at once.

A person does not experience pain when a subungual wart grows, but it causes moral discomfort to the person. The psychological side especially concerns the female gender.

The wart affects the cuticle, causing small growths on the nail.

There are several types of disease that can be seen in the photo:

  1. An ordinary or vulgar wart appears on the skin, has a yellow or brown tint with a rough surface. It will not be possible to remove such a formation on your own due to the fact that it penetrates deep under the skin. The most common areas of occurrence are the back of the hand and fingers. The growth tends to grow quickly, affecting new areas.
  2. Flat growths (juvenile) appear before the age of 16. They are distinguished by their gray color and large numbers on different parts of the body: neck, face, hands.
  3. Neoplasms in the form of threads (hanging papillomas) begin to appear in old age. The growths have a pinkish or flesh-colored tint, are soft and stretch easily.
  4. Seborrheic skin lesions grow slowly, reach large sizes and are dark red or black in color. They feel hard and rough to the touch and sometimes separate from the skin. Most often seen in older people in the neck, face, arms or back.
  5. Condylomas acuminata are the most dangerous type of wart that appears in the genital area. They often become the cause of a malignant tumor.

Causes of papillomas

One of the reasons why a person gets a subungual wart is a virus. Sometimes it stays in the body for a long time and does not manifest itself, but sooner or later one or several benign, rough formations can be noticed on the body. The virus is negatively affected by reduced immunity, chronic diseases, hormonal imbalances and nervous breakdowns.

Excessive sweating of the hands or feet affects the growth of periungual warts. It can also begin to grow after a skin injury or as a result of an allergic reaction. Skin growths often form under the nails after a manicure or in people who have a bad habit of chewing plates. Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules plays a huge role in the appearance of growths.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

The virus enters the human body through microtraumas and cracks in the skin. You can become infected with this in public places. For example, in a bathhouse, swimming pool and other places with high humidity.

The virus can also be transmitted by shaking hands with a sick person. 90% of people are carriers of subungual warts without having visible signs on their body.

Tight and chafing shoes can cause papillomas, especially in girls who prefer narrow high-heeled shoes to comfort.

In most cases, growths on the feet are explained by a fungal infection and improper pedicure.

The skin on the lower extremities is much more susceptible to sweating and friction with shoes, socks or tights, which provokes the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In addition, an ingrown nail may appear, and then the growth of a wart under the plate.

Injuries and the entry of foreign objects into the leg wound (splinter, glass, sand), as well as non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, cannot be ruled out.

In most cases, this disease does not cause pain to a person, but it can completely destroy the nail plate and ruin the appearance of the fingers. Deep, non-healing cracks can form on the skin, which become a habitat for harmful microorganisms. As a result, the carrier of the papilloma virus develops fungus near the nails and the area of ​​damage increases.

Diagnostics and therapy

The appearance of warts and swelling of the skin are a symptom that there is a virus in the body that requires destruction. The growth appears gradually; at first it may be a small pimple, which increases in size and changes its color to a darker one. The skin on the finger thickens and becomes rough.

Before getting rid of the disease, it is necessary to identify the cause. For diagnosis, you should contact a medical institution where you will see a dermatologist.

First, he needs to examine the damaged tissue and take a scraping to rule out a fungal infection. If a malignant tumor is suspected, part of the wart is sent for histological examination.

Sometimes additional diagnostics are required - analysis for the type of papilloma, which will determine the further development of the disease.

Warts are treated by a dermatologist; you may need to see an immunologist.

If your child is ill, you should first contact a pediatrician and then a dermatologist. In children, the cause of the disease most often lies in low immunity.

Treatment methods

Self-medication is not worth it; it will not help to completely rid a person of warts of complex localization. Under no circumstances should you try to cut or pick off growths under your nails yourself! This is fraught with blood poisoning and worsening the patient’s condition.

Subungual wart: diagnosis and treatment of growths

In modern medicine, there are several highly effective methods that quickly and painlessly remove seals.

  1. In first place in popularity is liquid nitrogen, or cryotherapy. This method allows you to remove papillomas for a long time, in 70% of cases the disease does not return. However, this method is not suitable for small children, pregnant or lactating women, or people with diabetes.
  2. Laser removal ranks second on the list of popular wart removal methods. After using the laser, the growth no longer appears on the treated area. Using a special laser device, damaged layers of skin are removed and cauterized. In this case, the person does not feel pain, but only feels a slight burning sensation during the procedure. Complete treatment takes several weeks, the number of sessions is determined individually for each patient. After recovery, there will be no scars left on the skin.
  3. The third method is electrocoagulation. The procedure is carried out using a loop under current, which cuts off the seals. The advantage is that it is almost completely painless and is performed without anesthesia.
  4. A more painful method - surgical removal - is used less and less. It has several disadvantages: the procedure is painful, scars after healing, the risk of infection of an open wound and a long rehabilitation period if the operation is performed on the toes.
  5. The most unpopular method of removal is the use of chemicals. It is used very rarely and requires the experience of the attending physician. Substances with alkali and acid are applied to damaged skin, which burn the wart.

It is possible to carry out treatment with pharmaceutical medications based on salicylic acid and natural ingredients. They should be used for at least a month to achieve the desired result. But this method is not suitable for advanced forms of the disease.

Group of drugs Action Most popular means
Immunomodulators and antivirals Strengthen the body's defenses, helping it fight the virus Imiquimod, Viferon, Isoprinosine
Acid-based medicines with a necrotizing effect (for external use) They burn out the wart, causing the death of a benign tumor Solcoderm, Verrukacid
Refrigerants They have a freezing effect due to liquid nitrogen, as a result of which the growth dies Cryopharma, Wartner Cryo
Keratolytics Remove dead skin cells, as well as relieve inflammation and destroy bacteria Salicylic acid or ointment, Kollmak

Traditional methods of treatment

If you have a simple nail wart on your fingers, you can try to cure it using traditional medicine. But it’s worth remembering: if they don’t bring results, seeing a doctor is a must!

It is possible to cure periungual warts with celandine juice, which is sold in pharmacies. It should be applied 2 times a day only to sore skin, otherwise there is a risk of burning healthy areas.

Calendula juice or a fresh flower, which must be crushed and applied to the growth overnight, will have an anti-inflammatory effect.

The procedure must be carried out every evening until the signs of the disease completely disappear.

A wart under the nail on the skin will disappear if you apply various oils to it. For example, castor oil softens the skin, smoothing out compactions. They need to treat the affected area several times a day. It is also recommended to use tea tree oil, which has an antiseptic effect.

All treatment methods have their pros and cons; they must be selected separately for each patient. The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the disease and the person’s condition. The immune system should be monitored to prevent a relapse.

You can ask your question to our author: All information is provided for informational purposes only! Please consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis , do not self-medicate!

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