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 can appear on the finger, and then on the face and legs. The unsightly appearance of warts is the main reason why many women, but also men, prefer to get rid of unwanted skin growths.
Clinical picture and characteristics 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 just below. Sometimes the appearance of formations is in no way associated with the proliferation of the epithelium, since they can appear due to infection of the skin with the 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, so the issue of how to deal with them is quite relevant.
The size of the papule depends on its location and type. The minimum size of the formation is 1. 5 mm, the maximum is 6 cm.
Note! Warts tend to coalesce, which significantly increases the size of the papules. The neoplasm takes on a cylindrical or hemispherical shape, has a rather voluminous 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 skin color, but after a certain time the formation becomes purple, and sometimes even black. Partly because of this color, the warts are due to dirt perfectly adhering to the rough surface of the formation. The change in color characteristics occurs several times faster if there are warts 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 not even guess about it due to the absence of manifestations of the pathology in the form of warts.
Methods of infection with the virus:
- the presence of wounds and microcracks on the skin contributes to the penetration of the virus inside;
- in close contact with an affected patient. Therefore, most often the disease is sexually transmitted;
- the use of hygiene products and belongings of the person concerned can also lead to infection with the virus;
- You can get infected with the papilloma virus in places of public use such as gyms, swimming pools, bathhouses or saunas.
- If the mother is a carrier of the virus, it can be transmitted to the child during the passage of the latter through the birth canal.
Important! In order to prevent infection of the infant with the papillomavirus, special attention must be paid to the treatment of 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 does not allow the latter to become active;
- frequent stress;
- transmitted infectious disease;
- chronic fatigue;
- hormonal imbalance;
- avitaminosis;
- bad environmental situation;
- Working with 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.
So, the types of warts:
- ordinary or simple;
- even;
- senile;
- pointed condyloma.
Let us dwell in more detail on the features and characteristics of each type.
Characteristics of a simple wart
The characteristics of a common wart (common warts) include:
- the predominant site of localization is the back of the hand;
- papule diameter from 1 to 10 mm;
- Common warts usually go away on their own within two years and don't require any special treatment.
A variety of simple warts are plantar (plantar warts).
Characteristics of Plantar Warts:
- Warts on the legs are more likely to appear in people who are 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 and uneven surface. The advanced stages of the pathology are characterized by a change in color to gray-dirty, a significant compaction of the affected shell, 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 one at a time, 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 (planar warts) is that these warts are most common in children and adolescents.
Signs of airplane warts:
- smooth surface of the papule, the diameter does not exceed 1. 5 mm;
- the height of the elevation over 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 sharply from the skin surface, not only because of its flat shape, but also because of its light color (pink, flesh);
- The etiology of juvenile warts is associated with exposure to external stimuli. Therefore, the formation can appear at the site of a cut or injury to the skin.
Symptoms and characteristics of a pointed wart
The signs that characterize this type of warts, like condylomas (genital warts), include:
- pink growths that appear at the initial stages of the development of pathology, gradually merge with each other, forming a kind 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, both in women and men;
- Condylomas are transmitted by contact. The risk of disease increases when there are microcracks and sores on the wearer's genitals;
- a pointed wart is characterized by growth. When the first signs of a disease are detected, you should immediately contact a dermatologist.
- Condyloma is quite 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 its formation:
- characteristic of older people;
- presumably the cause of 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 multiplicity of formations, usually the number of keratosis elements does not exceed 20;
- 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 the 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 borders, pink or yellow, covered with crusts that peel off easily. Over time, the crusts coarsen, their thickness reaches two cm. With the development of pathology, the papules take the form of a mushroom, 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 changes do not appear in papules.
Features of the treatment of warts
What you need to know when treating warts:
- It is completely impossible to get rid of a papillomavirus infection, it stays in the body forever. The main task of the carrier is to deactivate the virus and turn it into 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 disappear on their own, especially in young patients.
Important! Recognizing the first signs of warts should not cause panic, a timely visit to a dermatologist and the appointment of an effective treatment will help eliminate the signs of pathology and maximize the period of remission.
Traditional methods of treating warts
Note! The course of therapy is based on the use of classic medicines and techniques, but significant successes can already be achieved in the early stages of the disease with the help of conventional 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 injure 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;
- Grating dandelion juice. Lubricate the affected areas 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. Cauterizing with vinegar has a beneficial effect. However, when using vinegar or its essence, safety rules should 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.