Warts are nothing more than a skin condition that is not inflammatory in nature. The disease manifests itself in the form of benign neoplasms on the epidermis, the size of which can reach 10-15 mm. Neoplasms of this type do not have favorite places of localization, a wart can appear first on the finger, then on the face and legs. The unsightly appearance of warts is the main reason why many women, as well as men, prefer to get rid of unwanted skin growths.
Clinical picture and features of the disease
Warts are called rounded formations that occur on the surface of the skin as a result of excessive growth of the upper layer of the epithelium, as well as the papillary subcutaneous lump located directly below. Sometimes the appearance of formations is in no way related to the proliferation of the epithelium, since they can appear due to infection of the skin with human papillomavirus (HPV). In any case, warts on the soles of the feet, hands, and also on the face bring a lot of inconvenience, up to the development of psychological complexes, therefore the issue of their treatment is quite relevant.
The size of the papule depends on its location and variety. The minimum formation size is 1. 5 mm, the maximum is 6 cm.
To note! The warts tend to combine, which leads to a significant increase in the size of the papules. The neoplasm takes a cylindrical or hemispherical shape, has a rather bulky appearance and causes psychological and physical inconvenience.
In the early stages of development, the color of the papule does not differ from the color of the skin, however, after a while the formation turns purple, and sometimes even black. Partly because of this color, warts are due to dirt, which adheres perfectly to the rough surface of the formation. The change in color characteristics occurs several times faster if the warts are located on the legs.
What is the reason for the appearance of warts, the etiology of their formation?
When warts appear, the cause of development is the penetration of human papillomavirus infection into the human body.
Further information! A person can be a carrier of the virus for a long time, but due to the absence of manifestations of pathology in the form of warts, he cannot even guess about it.
Methods of virus infection:
- the presence of wounds and microcracks on the skin contributes to the penetration of the virus inside;
- during close contact with an affected patient. So, most often the disease is sexually transmitted;
- the use of hygiene products and objects of the affected person can also lead to infection with the virus;
- you can get HPV infection in places of public use, such as a gym, swimming pool, bathhouse, sauna;
- if the mother carries the virus, it can be transmitted to the child when the child passes through the birth canal.
Important! To prevent infection of the infant with papillomavirus, special attention should be paid to the treatment of pathology during pregnancy.
Factors contributing to the development of the disease:
- lead a hectic life, frequently change sexual partners;
- neglect of hygiene rules;
- weakened immunity. Even if a person carries the virus, strong immunity will not allow it to become active;
- frequent stress;
- transferred infectious disease;
- chronic fatigue;
- hormonal imbalance;
- avitaminosis;
- poor environmental situation;
- work involving the use of aggressive materials.
Types of warts
Depending on the characteristics of warts and the symptoms that accompany their appearance, there are four main types of neoplasms.
Thus, the types of warts:
- ordinary or simple;
- apartment;
- senile;
- pointed condyloma.
Let us dwell in more detail on the features and characteristics of each type.
Features of a simple wart
Characteristics of a common wart (common warts) include:
- the predominant place of localization is the back of the hand;
- diameter of papules from 1 to 10 mm;
- Common warts usually disappear on their own within two years and do not require any special treatment.
A variety of simple warts is plantar (plantar warts).
Characteristics of plantar warts:
- warts on the legs are more likely to appear in people characterized by excessive sweating of the legs;
- papules are located mainly in places of increased pressure from shoes on the skin;
- at first, the papule has a yellowish-gray tint, a rough, uneven surface. Advanced stages of the pathology are characterized by a change in color to gray-dirty, significant compaction of the affected cover, its keratinization;
- warts on the legs are among the most painful. In some cases, the development of the disease leads to partial disability;
- as a rule, warts on the legs look single, but sometimes their number reaches 5-6. With the development of the disease, small plaques can merge and form a mosaic wart.
flat wart or juvenile wart
The main difference between flat or juvenile formations (flat warts) is the fact that these warts appear most often in children and adolescents.
Signs of flat warts:
- smooth surface of the papule, the size in diameter does not exceed 1. 5 mm. ;
- the height of the elevation above the neighboring areas of the epidermis reaches 2 mm. ;
- the shape is round or irregular;
- places of localization - the outer surface of the hands, the skin of the face, the lower legs;
- the papule does not stand out strongly on the surface of the skin, due not only to its flat shape, but also to its light color (pink, flesh);
- The etiology of juvenile warts is associated with exposure to external stimuli. Thus, the formation may appear at the site of a cut or injury to the skin.
Symptoms and Characteristics of a Sharp Wart
The signs that characterize this type of warts, such as condyloma (genital warts), include:
- pink growths that occur at the initial stages of the development of pathology gradually merge, forming a kind of growth located on a base that resembles a leg;
- a favorite place for the localization of warts of this type are the genitals, both male and female;
- condyloma is transmitted by contact. The risk of contracting a disease increases if there are microcracks and sores on the carrier's genitals;
- a sharp wart is characterized by growth, therefore, when the first signs of a disease are detected, you should immediately contact a dermatologist;
- condyloma is a fairly fertile ground for the manifestation and development of other pathologies of the inguinal zone. So, the lack of treatment in women can lead to the development of such a serious disease as cervical cancer.
Signs of seborrheic keratosis
Senile wart or so-called seborrheic keratosis: signs and features of education:
- characteristic of the elderly;
- presumably the cause of the development of pathology is the defeat of the cells of the main layer of the skin;
- this type of wart has nothing to do with HPV;
- most often the manifestations of the disease affect the skin of the chest, less often - the face, neck, hands, forearms and legs;
- the multiple nature of the formations, usually the number of keratosis elements does not exceed 20;
- the predisposition to seborrheic warts is genetically transmitted;
- the minimum size of the papule in diameter is 2 mm, the maximum is 6 cm.
The clinic of the senile wart depends on the stage of its development and its location on the body. In the early stages, they are flat spots with well-defined edges, pink or yellow, covered with crusts that peel off easily. Over time, the crusts grow larger, their thickness reaches two cm. With the development of pathology, the papules take on the form of a mushroom, turn dark brown or even black.
The process of development of a seborrheic wart lasts more than a dozen years, but malignant transformations do not occur with papules during this period.
Features of the treatment of warts
What you need to know when treating warts:
- it is completely impossible to get rid of papillomavirus infection, it will remain in the body forever. The main task of the carrier is to deactivate the virus, transfer it in a latent form;
- the disease is recurrent;
- after removal of the wart on the epidermis, as a rule, the marks remain in the form of scars and scars;
- sometimes the formations disappear on their own, especially in young patients.
Important! Identifying the first signs of warts should not cause panic, a timely visit to a dermatologist and the appointment of effective treatment will help eliminate signs of pathology and maximize the period of remission.
Traditional methods of treating warts
To note! The therapeutic course is based on the use of classical drugs and techniques, however, in the early stages of the disease, obvious success can be achieved with the help of traditional medicine.
Comprehensive treatment of warts involves the use of drugs of general and local action, as well as medical procedures.
Popular methods of treating warts:
- laser removal of papules. It is considered one of the most effective and fastest methods, does not hurt the skin;
- electrocoagulant method. Promotes growth reduction by exposure to high temperatures;
- cryotherapy or cauterization;
- surgical removal. This method is extremely rarely used.
Is it possible to get rid of warts with traditional medicine?
The following folk remedies have a beneficial effect in the treatment of neoplasms:
- celandine juice. Used to cauterize papules;
- compresses and decoctions based on celandine;
- dandelion juice rub. Lubricate the affected areas at least three times a day;
- garlic and onion juice;
- healing wormwood infusion.
You can get rid of warts by performing cold procedures. Cauterization with vinegar gives a positive effect. However, when using vinegar or its essence, safety rules must be observed.
The appearance of a wart on the skin indicates disorders in the body, therefore, when the first signs of pathology are detected, it is recommended to consult a doctor to diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment.