Warts are benign (as opposed to malignant, without the formation of cancer cells) skin formation, which is formed under the influence of various representatives of the human papillomavirus (HPV) family, of which there are more than hundred. There are no gender and age barriers for warts: their prevalence is the same between both sexes and does not depend on age.
Ways of infection and causes of warts
The papilloma virus is transmitted by contact: either by direct contact with the carrier (handshake), or through contaminated household items and the environment (in bathrooms, showers, swimming pools, etc. ). But do not be scared of an outstretched hand by a colleague or a good friend - the condition for infection is an unfavorable combination of a number of factors:
- skin cracks and microtrauma, chronic scratches. Risk group - people who, by the nature of their professional activities, are engaged in wet cleaning or hand washing: they have many microtraumas to the skin;
- weak immunity (indicator - frequent colds);
- excessive sweating of hands and feet.
If everything went wrong, the first wart will appear in 1. 5-6 months - this is the incubation period of a viral infection caused by HPV.
Types and symptoms of warts
Ordinary warts (also called vulgar)
Such warts make up 2/3 of the total number of warts on the skin. All the same, these warts are characterized by age legibility: they often settle on younger children and students.
A favorite place for dislocation of warts is the hands (both the palms and the back), the fingers, sometimes (which is very unpleasant from an aesthetic point of view) the face. The appearance of a common wart is very modest: a round hallmark nodule, ranging in size from the head of a pin to a small pea. The color does not stand out on the skin. Individual warts are rare: there are usually several or a complete dispersion. In addition, one of the warts is the largest, it is the so-called maternal wart. If you delete it, the rest will come by itself.
Flat (juvenile) warts
Another representative of the "young" warts that affect people from 10 to 25 years old. They are small flat papules that barely protrude from the surface of the skin, presenting a smooth (sometimes scaly) surface. The color is flesh, sometimes with a yellowish tint. Most of the time, flat warts are found on the back of the hands, wrists, face, and neck. Sometimes on the head of the penis.
plantar warts
These warts are distinguished by increased pain, which is felt especially when walking. Outwardly, plantar warts are difficult to distinguish from corns. They can be convex or concave. Plantar warts appear in tune with their name: on the soles of the feet, in places of greatest friction.
Senile (seborrheic) warts
A benign epithelial tumor formed over the years that occurs in old age is called a senile wart. Initially, it is a small brown spot, which, increasing over time, reaches a diameter of 5-6 cm. A senile wart (also called a seborrheic keratoma) has a greasy, crusty surface. Over time, it thickens, its surface becomes covered with cracks and literally fills with a dark brown color. Senile warts form in closed areas of the body, but sometimes bother their unwitting owner on the face, neck, and extremities.
Condylomas (genital warts)
These warts have a specific location: genitals, perineum, vaginal opening and anus. They can occur in the armpits, under the female breast, and in children, in the nasolabial folds. In appearance, they are often compared to the cockscomb or cauliflower due to their lobed structure. The color of the warts is flesh or pale pink, but if you rub them, they turn crimson and start to bleed. They form large colonies.
Diagnosis of warts
Diagnosis of warts is not difficult, this is not rocket technology for you. Just look at the clinical manifestations of these unwanted growths. Plantar warts are distinguished from banal calluses by the papillary structure of the former, genital warts from wide warts, which are a sign of secondary syphilis, by their denser consistency, wide base and moist surface of the latter.
wart treatment
Warts are removed medically or mechanically. Given their viral "essence", they are fought accordingly - antiviral ointments are prescribed. This will prevent the spread of warts to areas that have not yet developed. Of the folk methods, the milky juice of celandine, which stands out in the cutting of the plant, has become widespread.
Electrocoagulation (exposure to electric current + high temperature) helps to remove warts even in the most advanced cases.
Cryotherapy (cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen) is very suitable for the treatment of common warts. This procedure is virtually painless, which makes it suitable for use in children.
Plantar warts are treated in a complex way: first - by cryodestruction, then - surgically, removing the affected tissue area under local anesthesia.
Laser therapy is also used, using different types of beams. The affected area relies on this to evaporate or coagulate.
Usually there are no special problems with warts, but relapses do occur. And in about half of the cases, they go away on their own, without any treatment.
As a preventive measure, it may be recommended to respond quickly to the appearance of even a wart and take immediate action to remove it.