Warts are nothing more than a skin pathology 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, first a wart may appear on the finger, and 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 appear 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 ball located immediately below it. 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 the human papilloma virus (HPV). In any case, warts on the feet, hands, and also on the face bring a lot of inconvenience, up to the development of psychological complexes, which is why the problem of dealing with them is quite important.
The size of the papule depends on its location and variety. The minimum size of the formation is 1. 5 mm, the maximum is 6 cm.
Note! Warts tend to combine, as a result of which the size of the papules increases significantly. The neoplasm has a cylindrical or hemispherical shape, has a rather bulky appearance and causes discomfort of a psychological and physical nature.
In the early stages of development, the color of the papule does not differ from the color of the skin, but after some time the formation becomes purple, and sometimes even black. Partly because of this color, warts are due to dirt that perfectly adheres to the rough surface of the formation. The change in color characteristics occurs many times faster if the warts are located on the legs.
What is the cause of 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.
More information! A person can be a carrier of the virus for a long period of time, but due to the lack of manifestations of pathology in the form of warts, do not even guess about it.
Methods of infection with the virus:
- 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 belongings of the affected person can also lead to infection with the virus;
- you can get a papillomavirus infection in places of public use, such as a gym, swimming pool, bath, sauna;
- if the mother is a carrier of the virus, it can be transmitted to the child during the latter's passage through the birth canal.
important! To prevent infection of the baby with papillomavirus, special attention should be paid to the treatment of the pathology during pregnancy.
Factors contributing to the development of the disease:
- leading a hectic lifestyle, frequent change of sexual partners;
- neglect of hygiene rules;
- weakened immunity. Even if a person is a carrier of the virus, strong immunity will not allow the latter to activate;
- frequent stress;
- transferred infectious disease;
- chronic fatigue;
- hormonal imbalance;
- avitaminosis;
- poor environmental situation;
- work related to the use of aggressive materials.
Types of warts
Depending on the characteristics of the warts and the symptoms that accompany their appearance, there are four main types of neoplasms.
So, the types of warts:
- plain or simple;
- apartment;
- senile;
- pointed condylomas.
Let's dwell in more detail on the features and characteristics of each type.
Characteristics of a common wart
Characteristics of a common wart (common warts) include:
- the predominant place of localization is the back of the hand;
- papule diameter from 1 to 10 mm;
- Common warts usually disappear on their own within two years and do not require special treatment.
A variety of simple warts is plantar (plantar warts).
Features of plantar warts:
- warts on the legs are more likely to appear in people who are characterized by excessive sweating of the feet;
- papules are mainly located in places with increased pressure of shoes on the skin;
- at the beginning, the papule has a yellowish-gray hue, a rough and uneven surface. The advanced stages of the pathology are characterized by a change in color to gray-dirty, significant thickening 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 appear single, but sometimes their number reaches 5-6. As the disease progresses, small plaques can merge, forming a mosaic wart.
flat wart or juvenile wart
The main difference between flat or juvenile formations (flat warts) is the fact that these warts most often appear 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 nearby 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 related to exposure to external stimuli. So the formation can appear at the site of a cut or injury to the skin.
Symptoms and characteristics of a pointed wart
Signs that characterize this type of warts, such as condylomas (genital warts), include:
- pink growths that appear in the initial stages of development of the pathology gradually merge with each other, forming a kind of growth located on a base that looks like a foot;
- a favorite place for localization of warts of this type is the genitals, both in women and in men;
- condylomas are transmitted by contact. The risk of contracting a disease increases if there are microcracks and wounds on the carrier's genitals;
- a pointed wart is characterized by growth, therefore, when the first signs of the disease are detected, you should immediately contact a dermatologist;
- condylomas are quite a favorable ground for the manifestation and development of other pathologies of the inguinal area. 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 the so-called seborrheic keratosis: signs and characteristics of education:
- characteristic of the elderly;
- probably the reason for the development of the 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 formations, usually the number of keratosis elements does not exceed 20;
- the predisposition to seborrheic warts is transmitted genetically;
- the minimum size of the papule in diameter is 2 mm, the maximum is 6 cm.
The clinic of a senile wart depends on the stage of its development and the location of the body. In the early stages, these are flat spots with clearly defined edges, pink or yellow, covered with easily peeling crusts. Over time, the crusts become rough, their thickness reaches two cm. As the pathology develops, the papules acquire the shape of a fungus, become dark brown or even black.
The process of development of a seborrheic wart lasts more than a dozen years, but during this period malignant transformations with papules do not appear.
Features of the treatment of warts
What you need to know when treating warts:
- it is completely impossible to get rid of the papillomavirus infection, it will remain in the body forever. The main task of the carrier is to deactivate the virus, transfer it to a latent form;
- the disease is recurrent;
- after removal of the wart on the epidermis, as a rule, traces remain in the form of scars and scars;
- sometimes the formations go away 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 to get rid of the signs of pathology and maximize the period of remission.
Traditional methods of dealing with warts
Note! The therapeutic course is based on the use of classical drugs and techniques, but in the early stages of the disease, clear success can be achieved with the help of traditional medicine.
Comprehensive treatment of warts includes the use of drugs with general and local action, as well as medical procedures.
Popular methods for dealing with warts:
- laser removal of papules. It is considered one of the most effective and fast methods, it does not hurt the skin;
- electrocoagulation method. Promotes growth reduction when exposed to high temperatures;
- cryotherapy or cauterization;
- surgical removal. This method is used extremely rarely.
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. It is used to cauterize papules;
- compresses and decoctions based on celandines;
- Dandelion juice rub. Lubrication of the affected areas should be at least three times a day;
- garlic and onion juice;
- medicinal infusion based on wormwood.
You can get rid of warts by conducting cold procedures. Cauterization with vinegar gives a positive effect. However, when using vinegar or its essence, safety rules must be followed.
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.