Warts are small growths on the skin of the body or face.Their formation is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) activity.There are about a hundred types of this virus, each of which causes the formation of different types of warts.
What are warts?
Even on the most well-groomed and healthy skin, warts can appear - small round nodules that are benign neoplasms.
Warts are benign growths on the skin associated with the activity of the HPV virus.About 70% of the world's population is infected with this virus.Due to its action, the pathological process of epidermal cell division begins, which results in the appearance of small skin growths, or warts.
There are different types of warts, which are caused by different types of viruses.Not all warts are viral;senile tumors that appear as a result of changes in metabolic processes in the body are identified separately.
To get rid of the growth, you need to understand the reasons for its occurrence.The following reminders about the types of warts on the body, their characteristics and methods of combating them will help with this.
Vulgar warts
Simple warts, or gross, are small round growths that do not differ in color from the color of the skin.They arise due to the action of the human papillomavirus.Favorite localization areas are areas with increased sweating.Vulgar warts are most often located on the hands, feet, back, and sides.
It takes about a few months from the moment of viral infection until the tumor appears.If a person's immunity is strong, the body itself will defeat the virus, and warts will not appear on the skin.The activation of pathological processes and the formation of unaesthetic growth occurs against the background of a decrease in general and local immunity.Due to the peculiarity of the location of vulgar warts, this process is often caused by a decrease in local immunity, for example, when the skin is damaged, or due to excessive sweat on the feet and palms.
Vulgar warts are considered harmless growths.They almost never degenerate into malignant neoplasms.
Vulgar warts can appear on anyone.They are found equally often by children, teenagers and adults.You can remove it in several ways:
- cryo destruction;
- lasers;
- surgical method;
- preparations containing alkali;
- folk remedies.
Large vulgar warts are recommended to be removed in a dermatologist's office, as self-treatment can cause scarring.
Vulgar warts are the most common type.
Flat warts
It is quite easy to recognize the type of wart from the picture itself.One of the rarer types is the flat wart.They account for no more than 4% of skin growth cases.
Characteristics of flat warts:
- diameter not more than 5 mm;
- slight height above the skin;
- irregular shape;
- clear boundaries;
- smooth surface;
- little pigmentation.
These warts differ slightly in color from healthy skin - they are more pink or brown, which makes them easy to see.The second name for flat warts is juvenile.They appear more often in children and adolescents.Classic locations are the skin of the feet, hands, face.
Juvenile warts are viral and caused by HPV.They are not prone to degeneration into malignant neoplasms, therefore they are relatively safe.
Such growth does not pose a health hazard and does not cause discomfort other than aesthetic.If there are many of them or they are located in open areas of the body, removing the growth will not be difficult.To prevent scar formation, it is recommended to use cryodestruction, electrocoagulation or laser removal.
Condyloma
For women's health, condylomas and papillomas pose a more serious threat than men.
Condylomas are small growths with a papillary structure that affect the external genitalia in women and men.These tumors are viral in nature;The HPV strain that causes the appearance of warts is sexually transmitted.
Features of condyloma:
- small size and the presence of thin legs;
- the color does not differ from the shade of the skin or mucous membranes;
- can merge into a large neoplasm;
- easily injured.
Condyloma is a type of wart that is easy to recognize from a picture.Most often it is localized on the external genitalia in women, around the glans penis and on the shaft of the penis in men.Condylomas affect the perineum, the area around the anus, and in rare cases in the mouth.
Some strains of the HPV virus can cause the development of condyloma in women on the cervix.This type of growth is very dangerous and causes cervical cancer.Common condylomas located on the labia minora or penis, as a rule, are not classified as oncogenic.
Liquid nitrogen is most often used to remove it.This medicine allows you to remove the growth without scarring.Removal of condylomas on the labia can be done using a radio knife.
At home, the tumor on the mucous membrane cannot be removed, because the epithelium of the genital organs can be damaged.
Papilloma
A papilloma is a type of skin wart;There are several types of skin.In fact, a rough wart is one type of papilloma.These tumors can appear in any part of the body, including mucous membranes.They are soft balls of uniform structure, rising above the skin thanks to small stalks.Papilloma is caused by the HPV virus;depending on the strain, it can affect both the epidermis and mucous membranes.The most dangerous place where the growth is localized:
- urethra;
- throat child;
- anus;
- armpit;
- inguinal folds;
- the soles of the feet.
Papillomas in the urethra cause physical discomfort, because the body perceives them as potentially dangerous objects.They can enlarge and lead to narrowing of the urethra in men, so they must be removed.
Growths in the larynx can cause persistent throat irritation and voice changes.Papilloma in the anus is easily injured and can become inflamed.Tumors located in skin folds rub hard when walking.This can cause irritation and infection.
Papilloma is a potentially dangerous skin tumor.Only a doctor can accurately determine the risk of oncogenicity.
Injury and damage to such growths can lead to the development of malignant processes, so papillomas located in inconvenient places, which can be accidentally touched by nails or rubbed by clothes, must be removed.
Papillomas can appear in people of any age and gender.To remove them, the methods used in the treatment of abusive warts are used.
Keratomas
Common locations for senile keratoma are the back of the hands, face and neck;less commonly, they can be located on the torso.
A keratoma is a growth of the stratum corneum of the skin.It is a brown spot that rises above the skin.The structure of the spots is quite dense, which is caused by keratinization (keratinization) of the upper layer of the epidermis.
The main reason for the development of keratoma is the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin and age-related changes in the epidermis.Such neoplasms are not caused by HPV and belong to age-related dermatological disorders.Keratoma only appears in people over the age of 50.
They are considered safe neoplasms, the level of oncogenicity is very low.Such growths can be located in any open area of the body.
The neoplasm itself is a clear cosmetic defect, so it can be removed.Keratomas should be removed using professional methods - cryodestruction, laser removal, electrocoagulation.Very large tumors are surgically removed.
Filiform papilloma
There are several types of warts on the body;Filamentous papilloma is one of the most common types of warts.They appear in people over 40 years old.Most often, women face such neoplasms, because their skin is thinner than men.Localization of filamentous papilloma:
- neck;
- armpit;
- face;
- eyelids;
- the area under the mammary gland;
- inguinal fold.
This type of growth is a small oval papilla that rises above the skin.The dimensions of the papillae are very small - no more than 1 mm in diameter and a few mm in length.
Thread-like growths do not pose a health hazard, as they almost never degenerate into malignant neoplasms.The only exception is the case of severe damage to growth and secondary infection.
It is impossible to remove filamentous papilloma using folk remedies or pharmaceuticals.Due to its small size, aggressive exposure to alkali and acidic agents can cause the formation of deep wounds, where large scars will remain.To remove these small growths, it is better to give preference to laser, electrocoagulation or liquid nitrogen.
Threaded papillomas often affect the neck and armpits.
Plantar warts
Another manifestation of the HPV virus is plantar warts, or spinules.These growths are flat plaques, similar in appearance to calluses, that appear on the feet.The peculiarity of such warts is that they go deep under the skin, while the upper part of the growth is flat and practically does not stand out against the background of a healthy epidermis.
Plantar warts grow deep into the skin and are painful when pressed.Both children and adults can face them.The spine must be removed using laser, cryodestruction or surgery.Home remedies are effective only for removing small thorns, the size of which does not exceed 2-3 mm in diameter.
The spine causes severe discomfort, but is safe because it does not degenerate into cancer.
Plantar warts are not dangerous, but they cause discomfort when walking.
Diagnosis – which doctor should I contact?
To diagnose and remove warts on the skin of the body and face, you should consult a dermatologist.To make a diagnosis, a visual examination is performed.Examination with a dermatoscope will help determine the type of growth accurately.
If tumors appear on the genitals, you should contact a gynecologist (for women), a urologist (for men) or a venereologist.PCR analysis of urogenital smears is required to determine the strain of the virus.Based on the results of the examination, the doctor makes a decision on an acceptable method to remove the tumor.