Warts are benign (as opposed to malignant - without the formation of cancer cells) skin formation, which is formed under the influence of various members of the family of human papillomavirus (HPV), of which there are more than a hundred. There are no gender or age barriers for warts: their distribution is the same for both sexes and does not depend on age.
Ways of infection and causes of warts
Papillomavirus is transmitted by contact: either by direct contact with the carrier (handshake), or by contaminated objects from the home and the environment (in baths, showers, swimming pools, etc. ). But do not be afraid of a hand outstretched by a colleague or good friend: the condition of infection is an unfavorable combination of a number of factors:
- skin cracks and microtraumas, chronic scratches. Risk group - people who by the nature of their professional activities are engaged in wet cleaning or hand washing: have many microtraumas on the skin;
- weak immunity (indicator - frequent colds);
- excessive sweating of the hands and feet.
If all goes wrong, then the first wart will appear after 1, 5-6 months: this is the incubation period of viral infection caused by HPV.
Types and symptoms of warts
Ordinary (also called vulgar) warts
Such warts make up 2/3 of the total number of warts on the skin. This is the same, these warts are characterized by age-related readability: they are often found in children and younger students.
Favorite places to remove warts are the hands (both palms and backs), fingers, sometimes (which is very unpleasant from an aesthetic point of view) face. The appearance of a vulgar wart is very unpretentious: a round seal-knot, varying in size from a pin head to a small pea. The color does not stand out on the skin. Single warts are rare: there are usually several or a whole scattering. In addition, one of the warts is the largest, this is the so-called maternal wart. If you eliminate it, the rest will fall by themselves.
Flat (juvenile) warts
Another representative of the "young" warts, which affect people aged 10 to 25 years. They are small flat papules that protrude only slightly on the surface of the skin, with a smooth (sometimes scaly) surface. The color is fleshy, sometimes with a yellowish tinge. Flat warts are most commonly found on the back of the hands, wrists, face and neck. Sometimes - on the head of the penis.
plantar warts
These warts are characterized by increased pain, which is felt especially when walking. Externally, plantar warts are difficult to distinguish from corns. They can be both convex and concave. Plantar warts pop up in unison with their name - on the steps, in places with the greatest friction.
Senile (seborrheic) warts
An epithelial benign tumor formed over the years that appears in old age is called senile wart. Initially, it is a small brown spot, which, increasing with time, reaches a diameter of 5-6 cm. The senile wart (also called seborrheic keratoma) has a greasy, crusty surface. Over time, it thickens, its surface is covered with cracks and literally fills with dark brown. Elderly warts form on closed parts of the body, but sometimes they irritate the involuntary owner on the face, neck and limbs.
Warts (genital warts)
These warts have a specific location: genitals, perineum, vaginal opening and anus. They can appear in the armpits, under the woman's breast, and in children - in the nasolabial folds. In appearance, they are often compared to a rooster comb or cauliflower because of their paddle structure. The color of the warts is fleshy or pale pink, but if you rub them, they turn purple and begin to bleed. They form large colonies.
Diagnosis of warts
Diagnosing warts is not difficult, this is not rocket technology for you. Just look at the clinical manifestations of these side effects. Plantar warts differ from the common calluses in the papillary structure of the former, genital warts from the broad warts, which are a sign of secondary syphilis, in their denser texture, wide base and moist surface of the latter.
Treatment of warts
Warts are removed medically or mechanically. Given their viral "nature", they are fought accordingly: antiviral ointments are prescribed. This will prevent the spread of warts in areas that are not yet developed. From folk methods, the milk juice of celandine, which stands out onincision of the plant is widespread.
Electrocoagulation (exposure to electric current + high temperature) helps to get rid of warts even in the most advanced cases.
Cryotherapy (cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen) is very suitable for the treatment of vulgar warts. This procedure is practically painless, which makes it convenient for use in children.
Plantar warts are treated in a complex way: first - by cryodestruction, then - surgically, excision of the affected tissue under local anesthesia.
Laser therapy is also used, using different types of rays. The affected area depends on evaporating or coagulating.
There are usually no particular problems with warts, but recurrences 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 advisable to respond immediately to the appearance of even one wart and take immediate steps to remove it.