Do you have small pimples on your face? Don’t take it lightly, you may be infected with HPV!

With the introduction of imported and domestic vaccines in China, more and more people are paying attention to and understanding the HPV virus. When it comes to HPV, people often think of malignant tumors such as cervical cancer, but ignore the benign skin papilloma caused by it - flat warts. Flat warts are a contagious skin disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which often occurs on the face. Because of their similar appearance to "closed acne", they are often ignored. This article will take you to understand flat warts and their treatment methods.

What are flat warts?

Flat warts are skin diseases caused by human papillomavirus types 3, 10, 28, and 41 invading the epidermis. They are more common in adolescents and patients with low immunity. They are prone to occur on the face, back of both hands, and forearms. They are characterized by skin-colored or brown, scattered or clustered flat keratotic papules. They are generally round or irregular in shape, with clear borders, and are somewhat contagious. Flat warts are caused by low-risk HPV infection, which is different from high-risk HPV viruses that cause cervical cancer, such as HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, HPV33, HPV45, HPV51, HPV52, and HPV56. Compared with high-risk HPV, infection with low-risk HPV is milder, less likely to cause cancer, and easier to cure.

What are the commonly used treatments for flat warts?

At present, there are many drugs and methods for treating this disease. Drug treatment includes antiviral drugs, immunomodulators, anti-mitotic drugs, etc. Laser treatment includes carbon dioxide fractional laser, pulse fuel laser and other methods. In addition, there are also intense pulsed light and photodynamic therapy. At the same time, based on the basic theoretical basis and syndrome differentiation, Chinese medicine has summarized many empirical prescriptions and combined fire needles, Chinese medicine external application, Chinese medicine external washing and many other external treatment methods to remove warts. Many hospitals use a combination of Chinese and Western medicine to treat flat warts, and have also achieved good results. The following introduces the two most common treatment methods.

1. Medication

(1) Anti-mitotic drugs: Retinoic acid drugs have the functions of regulating keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, inhibiting keratinization, and restoring hyperkeratinized cells. They regulate the cell cycle of HPV-infected cells, inhibit their excessive proliferation, and also play an immunomodulatory role [1].

(2) Antiviral drugs: Recombinant human interferon α-2b injection has a broad-spectrum antiviral effect. Systemic application can inhibit the replication of HPV virus and the proliferation of wart cells, and can regulate the host's immune function. In addition to injections, there are also topical antiviral drugs - catechin E is a catechin ointment extracted from green tea. Its antiviral effect mainly depends on its powerful antioxidant effect, and it can penetrate into the epidermal cells to interfere with the adhesion of viruses [2].

(3) Immunomodulators: BCG polysaccharide nucleic acid is a new type of immunomodulator, a non-specific immunomodulator that can activate monocytes and macrophages and enhance the body's immunity by enhancing the function of natural killer cells, thereby achieving the purpose of antiviral. In addition, there are also immunomodulators such as thymosin and imiquimod.

2. Laser treatment

Carbon dioxide laser can denature, dehydrate, coagulate, necrotize and vaporize wart tissue proteins, thereby killing the virus and achieving a therapeutic effect. However, its treatment has limitations. Carbon dioxide laser is not suitable for patients with large warts, because large warts are not easy to be completely removed and are prone to complications or recurrence. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is mainly used for flat warts with darker pigments. This laser therapy has the advantages of less damage, fewer adverse reactions and faster results. In addition, Nd:YAG laser can be combined with 2940 nm ER:YAG laser to treat stubborn flat warts, shortening the treatment cycle and reducing the recurrence rate [4].

With the continuous development of science and technology, the treatment methods and technologies for flat warts are gradually maturing. In life, we should pay attention to cleanliness and hygiene, develop good eating habits and work and rest habits, and exercise appropriately to improve our immunity. If similar papules appear, we should consult a doctor in time to detect and treat them as soon as possible.

References

[1] Yuan Yanli. Advances in clinical treatment of flat warts[J]. Gansu Science and Technology, 2020, 36(12): 135-137.

[2] Li Yi, Fan Qin, Yao Yan, Li Na, Wang Shujian. Research progress of drugs and photoelectric treatment of flat warts[J]. Journal of Laser Biology, 2020, 29(06): 501-505+522.

[3] Song Hongchun, Mao Xiang, Xu Qinying, Qu Xiaolan, Chen Jie, Xu Rong, Wang Yifei, Li Fulun, Li Bin. Research progress on non-drug treatment of flat warts

[J]. Shanghai Medicine, 2020, 41(03): 11-14.

[4] Li Ruilian, Zeng Weihui, Liu Chenyue, Li Xiaoli, Wang Mei, Liu Yan. Analysis of the efficacy of Er:YAG 2940nm laser and frequency-doubled KTP Nd:YAG laser combined with immunomodulatory drugs in the treatment of refractory flat warts[J]. Chinese Journal of Aesthetic Medicine, 2019, 28(09): 1-4.