Warts are nothing but a skin pathology that is not inflammatory in nature. The disease manifests itself in the form of benign neoplasms in 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 that many women, as well as men, prefer to get rid of unwanted skin growths.
Clinical appearance 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 subcutaneous papillary ball located directly under it. Sometimes the appearance of formations is in no way related to the proliferation of the epithelium, as they can appear due to skin infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). In any case, warts on the soles, hands and also on the face bring many concerns, up to the development of psychological complexes, therefore the problem of their treatment is quite important.
The size of the papule depends on its location and variety. The minimum formation size is 1. 5 mm, the maximum is 6 cm.
Note! Warts tend to combine, as a result of which the size of the papule increases significantly. The neoplasia takes a cylindrical or hemispherical shape, has a rather voluminous appearance and causes psychological and physical disturbances.
In the early stages of development, the color of the papule does not differ from the color of the skin, however, after a certain time, the formation becomes purple, and sometimes even black. Partly because of this color, the warts are due to dirt, which adheres perfectly 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 reason for the appearance of warts, the etiology of their formation?
When warts appear, the cause of development is the penetration of the human papillomavirus infection into the human body.
Additional information! A person can be a carrier of the virus for a long period, but due to the lack of manifestations of pathology in the form of warts, do not even guess about it.
Ways 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 hygienic products and belongings of the affected person can also lead to infection with the virus;
- you can catch the papillomavirus infection in places of public use, such as the 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 that contribute 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 become active;
- frequent stress;
- transferred infectious disease;
- chronic fatigue;
- hormonal imbalance;
- avitaminosis;
- bad environmental condition;
- work involving the use of aggressive materials.
Types of warts
Depending on the characteristics of the warts and the symptoms that accompany their appearance, four main types of neoplasms are distinguished.
So, the types of warts:
- common or simple;
- flat;
- old age;
- condyloma with a tip.
Let's dwell in more detail on the features and characteristics of each type.
Characteristics of a simple 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 resolve on their own within two years and do not require special treatment.
A variety of simple warts is plantar (plantar warts).
Characteristics of plantar warts:
- warts on the feet are more likely to appear in people who are characterized by excessive sweating of the feet;
- the papules are mainly located in places of increased pressure of shoes on the skin;
- at first, the papule has a yellow-gray shade, a rough and uneven surface. The advanced stages of the pathology are characterized by a change in color to gray-dirty, a significant compression of the affected cover, its keratinization;
- leg warts are among the most painful. In some cases, the development of the disease leads to partial disability;
- As a rule, warts appear alone, but sometimes their number reaches 5-6. With the development of the disease, small plaques can merge, forming a mosaic wart.
flat wart or minor wart
The main difference between flat or juvenile formations (plane warts) is the fact that these warts appear more often in children and adolescents.
Signs of plane warts:
- the smooth surface of the papule, the size in diameter does not exceed 1. 5 mm;
- the elevation height above the adjacent 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. So, the formation can appear at the site of a cut or damage to the skin.
Symptoms and features of a wart with a peak
Signs that characterize this type of warts, such as condyloma (genital warts), include:
- The pink growths that occur in the initial stages of the development of the pathology gradually merge with each other, forming a type of growth located on a base that looks like a leg;
- a favorite place for the localization of warts of this type is the genitals, for both women and men;
- condyloma is transmitted by contact. The risk of contracting a disease increases if there are microcracks and wounds 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 very fertile ground for the appearance 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 warts or so-called seborrheic keratosis: signs and features of education:
- characteristic of elderly people;
- apparently, the cause of the development of the pathology is the loss of the cells of the main layer of the skin;
- this type of warts has nothing to do with HPV;
- more 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;
- 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 senile wart depends on the stage of its development and location on the body. In the early stages, these are flat spots with clearly defined, pink or yellow edges, covered with crusts that peel off easily. Over time, the crusts thicken, their thickness reaches two cm. As the pathology develops, the papules take the form of a mold, become dark brown or even black.
The process of development of seborrheic wart lasts more than a dozen years, but during this period malignant transformations with papules do not occur.
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 removing the wart on the epidermis, as a rule, signs remain in the form of wounds and scars;
- sometimes the formations go away on their own, especially for young patients.
Important! Identifying the first signs of warts should not cause panic, a timely visit to a dermatologist and the appointment of an effective treatment will help to remove the signs of pathology and maximize the remission period.
Traditional methods of treating warts
Note! The therapeutic course is based on the use of drugs and classical techniques, however, 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 treating warts:
- laser removal of papules. It is considered one of the most effective and fastest methods, it does not harm the skin;
- electrocoagulative method. Promotes the reduction of growths from exposure 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. Used to cauterize papules;
- compresses and decoctions based on celandine;
- dandelion juice rub. Lubricate the affected areas should be at least three times a day;
- garlic and onion juice;
- healing infusion based on wormwood.
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 within 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.