Removal of plantar warts with a laser: features of these formations, detection of pathology, types and advantages of lasers



In dermatological practice, patients with plantar warts are often observed. In 80% of all cases, their root cause is the papillomavirus, which actively progresses in people with a reduced immune system.

To get rid of warts, you can use different methods, including surgical excision, but the most effective today is the removal of plantar warts with a laser. It helps to clean the skin of the foot from unwanted growth with minimal risk of consequences.



Distinctive features

Before practicing laser removal of plantar warts, it is important to understand what distinguishes these formations and how they generally look. Thus, plantar warts have a round or oval shape and a size of 1-2 cm. Externally, these growths can be of different shades. Especially often found education with solid color.

It is important to note that the "young" warts have a smooth surface, but over time they increase and become covered with coarse layers of skin, acquiring a dark shade. In most cases, only one wart is localized on the foot, but with reduced protective forces of the body, the virus can be activated and lead to the formation of additional warts.

Diagnosis of the disease

Immediately before the procedure, an accurate diagnosis should be established. A dermatologist will help in this, who will carry out the scraping of the formation and send it to the diagnosis. Such a study will help identify the papilloma virus in the skin.

Also, sometimes patients require an ultrasound of the foot. It is important to know that the cost of removing the plantar warts with a laser is determined by the clinic where the procedure will be performed, as well as the complexity of the operation. The price may be quite different.



Advantages and disadvantages of laser therapy

The advantages of laser wart removal are:

1. Low risk of complications.
2. The speed of the procedure.
3. Fast recovery period.
4. Perform surgery under local anesthesia.
5. Lack of postoperative scars.

The disadvantages of such an intervention can be called the risk of pain after the procedure, as well as the likelihood that the wart will appear in a different place over time. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to simultaneously carry out the treatment of papillomavirus and strengthen the immune system.

Types of laser systems

In modern clinics can use different equipment. Most often, an erbium or carbon dioxide laser is used to eliminate growths. Each laser device has its own characteristics and advantages. For example, the erbium laser more gently affects the skin, removing the affected epidermis in layers and without damaging healthy skin areas.

The risk of burns is completely excluded. Despite this effect, this laser is not suitable for the treatment of large plantar warts. A carbon dioxide laser burns out affected tissue with an infrared beam. This type of laser is more traumatic, but it will effectively be able to help eliminate a wart on the patient's foot.

Laser removal of plantar warts: main contraindications to the procedure, technique of the operation, recovery rules

Immediately it should be noted that not all patients can practice laser removal of plantar warts in the clinic, since this procedure has many prohibitions to conduct. This is confirmed by numerous reviews of dermatologists.

Thus, this benign skin neoplasm is contraindicated to be removed by laser in the following cases:

1. Diabetes mellitus in a patient.
2. Oncological pathology.
3. Epilepsy.
4. High blood pressure.
5. Active herpes virus.
6. SARS in acute form.
7. High body temperature.
8. The presence of inflammatory or purulent processes.
9. Hormonal disruptions.
10. HIV infection.

It is also undesirable to carry out the procedure in the period of carrying a child, with acute allergic reactions or exacerbation of mental illness. In order not to worsen the patient's condition, in the presence of at least one of the above contraindications, laser wart removal cannot be performed. Otherwise, the risk of complications is quite high.

Holding

Laser removal of plantar warts is carried out for 15-20 minutes. The procedure begins with the treatment of the foot with an antiseptic. Next, a laser beam is directed to the problem area, which will remove the affected tissue in layers.

At the end, a healing ointment and a protective bandage are applied to the wound. Due to the fact that this procedure is performed under local anesthesia, the patient can go home on the same day.

You should know that in some cases (when removing several warts) the patient after the procedure can feel severe pain. In this state, physicians advise the patient to move with the help of a cane in order to exert an incomplete load on the foot. Also, within a few days after surgery, it is desirable to observe bed rest.

Treatment of young patients

In some cases, plantar warts are diagnosed in children. At the same time, they can cause pain and discomfort to the child, causing him to limp. If a plantar wart is suspected, even if it is small, it is better to show the child to the dermatologist anyway. Removal of growths is carried out under local anesthesia.

After the procedure, a crust forms at the site of the wart, but after a couple of days it will dry out and disappear on its own. To prevent infection of the wound in the first days after surgery, you need to glue with a plaster.

Postoperative care

In order to speed up the skin healing process as much as possible, it is important for the patient to follow the following medical recommendations after performing laser wart removal:

1. During the week, limit physical exertion on the legs. At the same time, it is desirable to walk less and at the time of abandoning sports activities.
2. Every day is worth doing dressings. Due to the fact that the wound after the procedure is not large, then it will be enough just to treat it with an antiseptic and change the bandage.
3. Protect the wound from contact with water for several days.

It is also important to know that you can not peel off the crust on the wound, as this can lead to the release of blood and infection. It is necessary to wait until it exfoliates itself and healed skin appears in its place.