Warts are benign neoplasms with little aesthetics appearing on the skin when infected with the human papillomavirus virus. Entering the upper layer of the epidermis, the virus provokes the proliferation of cells, resulting in the appearance of warts of various shapes, sizes and colors.
Human papillomavirus infects about 80% of people on the planet, and not every patient knows about its diagnosis, because HPV is in most cases symptomatic.
Types of warts
There are different types of warts depending on the location on the body, color, size, shape and type of pathogen.
Ordinary or vulgar warts
Most commonly, their appearance does not depend on the age or gender of the patient. They are located on the hands, between the fingers, on the back of the palm (more rarely on the palm itself). Vulgar warts are irregular or round in shape and, due to their pink color, are usually less noticeable on the skin. The size varies from 1 to 3 mm; with prolonged infection and the absence of treatment, neoplasm groups may appear in the affected area.
Flat warts
Neoplasms of this species appear more frequently in children and adolescents, so their second name is adolescent warts. They are flesh nodules or light brown, oval or round in color, with a smooth surface, slightly rising above the skin. Mostly localized on the skin of the face, neck, arms and upper body.
Plantar Warts
This type of wart appears exclusively on the skin of the feet, which is why it gets its name. This is a rough growth with a layer of keratin skin or a bunch of such growths. The skin around the plantar warts loses its natural color and becomes gray-yellow. The surface of the wart becomes hard and begins to press on the healthy tissue around it, causing severe discomfort.
Hanging warts
The characteristic of this species is the presence of a narrow articulation with the surface of the skin, called the "foot". Suspended warts can be oval, round, or irregular, pink or reddish. Such warts are localized on the neck, face, armpits, under the breasts in women. Often, the appearance of many hanging warts indicates a sharp decrease in the body's immune status.
Senile Warts
These types of warts are more likely to affect the skin of the elderly. They are also called seborrheic warts or keratomas. They develop due to age-related changes and metabolic decline from epidermal cells, often capturing the upper part of the hair follicles. Keratomas have a round shape, clear border, located on the scalp or on the face. Its size varies from a few millimeters to 4-5 cm.
Genital warts
Genital warts or condyloma are the most unpleasant and painful types of neoplasms. The causative agents are human papillomavirus types 6 and 11. Genital warts affect the skin adjacent to the mucous membranes: on the lips and eyelids; in the genital area, urethra, anus.
Genital warts have a nodular growth structure that is often compared to cauliflower or cockscomb. Condyloma is connected to the surface of the skin using a thin "foot". Due to the localization in areas of the body prone to mechanical irritation, there is a high degree of injury to the genital warts and adjacent tissues, infection and the development of inflammatory processes with the formation of exudative or purulent discharge.
Causes of warts
Increased human papillomavirus activity in the body causes the appearance of warts. Infections occur through contact and daily life: through contact, shaking hands, ordinary items and in public places if personal hygiene is not observed. Genital warts are sexually transmitted.
Viruses enter active form if factors such as:
- severe or chronic stress;
- transmitted infectious diseases;
- reduces immunity;
- hormonal disorders, improper metabolism;
- excessive sweating;
- skin trauma and microtrauma;
- wear clothes and shoes made of improper material.
If the disease is not symptomatic, the disease can only be diagnosed by laboratory methods.
Warts in adults
The appearance of papillomas or warts can occur at any age. In this case, gender does not play a special role - men and women are susceptible to HPV. At the same time, the risk of getting warts in women is higher, as their immunity is often weakened due to hormone levels, pregnancy, and eating of children. Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure, women are also more susceptible to the appearance of genital warts, especially genital warts, which increase the risk of cervical cancer.
In men, warts appear only if there is a sharp decrease in immunity, which is not often the case with stronger sex. At the same time, men are very rare carriers of HPV types 16 and 18, which provoke the development of oncological diseases.
Warts in children
Warts are a common occurrence in children and adolescents, as their immunity is not fully formed, as a result of which they are susceptible to papillomavirus. An important role is played by the fact that children attending kindergarten and school, in general, are in a state of increased stress, which has a negative impact on the body's defenses. In addition to household infection methods, intrauterine infections from the mother may also occur.
Often, children experience vulgar, adolescent or plantar warts, while adolescent warts disappear on their own at 14-18 years of age.
Wart Treatment
While treating warts, it should be understood that it is impossible to completely remove the pathogen from the body - human papillomavirus. Once in the body, it stays in it forever, but healthy immunity can keep it under control and minimize the manifestations of its vital activity.
Statements about warts indicate a decrease in the body's immune status, therefore, measures to strengthen the immune system should be included in HPV therapy. With reduced body defense reactions, even with successful wart removal, there is a high probability of relapse. However, in people with strong immunity, warts can go away on their own.
Therapy should be chosen by a competent physician after a thorough examination. Medications alone are unacceptable, as the public is unable to distinguish warts from malignant neoplasms. The question of getting rid ofwartsis also decided by experts - injured neoplasms can decline from benign to malignant.
There are the following ways to get rid of warts.
- Cryodestruction (freezing with liquid nitrogen). This method is very effective for normal warts. The neoplasm is exposed to liquid nitrogen for 10-30 seconds. This method is good for low trauma; requires 1 to 5 sessions to get rid of warts completely.
- Laser freezing (laser removal). Neoplasms are removed under the local anesthesia. At the site of the wart, there are still grooves, which disappear after about a month.
- Electrocoagulation (removal by current). Warts are removed with a thin metal loop using high frequency current. This method is characterized by the absence of additional bleeding and disinfection. Neoplasm tissue remains intact, so it can be sent for histological examination. Traces of manipulation disappear within a week.
- Surgical excision. This method is used only in extreme cases, when the neoplasm is too large or grouped into a single conglomeration. Under local anesthesia, the warts are removed with a scalpel as in conventional surgery. The material removed is sent for histological examination. The presence of scars at the site of excision depends on the surgeon's skill in applying the sutures.
- Chemical attack methods using various acids or alkalis. This method is the most painful, traumatic and dangerous, as the risk of secondary tissue infection at the site of exposure is very high. When deciding on its use, keep in mind that you can only act on the wart itself, without affecting the skin around it.
Remedies for the treatment of warts
Local medicine is used to treat warts, but its effectiveness depends on the age of the neoplasm - the fresher the wart, the more likely it is to remove it, and the patient's immunity.
Before using local medicine, you should consult a dermatologist and undergo tests to find out the nature of the neoplasm, as exposure to drugs can cause warts cells to degenerate.
Non-traditional methods for dealing with warts
Use of traditional medicine recipes:
- garlic;
- bow;
- celandine;
- spurge;
- wormwood;
- flaxseed oil.
Traditional medicine is a good addition to mainstream therapy after consulting your doctor.
Prevention of warts
The best prevention of warts is to adhere to the usual rules of personal hygiene: timely hand washing, use of personal manicure accessories, towels, wipes, shoes. You can not walk barefoot in the swimming pool, shared shower, bath and sauna. Also, while staying at the hotel, it is a good idea to bring an antiseptic agent for the bathroom treatment. In parallel, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system and maintain a healthy state in general.