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, which can reach 10-15 mm in size. Such neoplasms do not have favorite localization places, warts can appear first 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 growths on the skin.
Clinical picture and characteristics of the disease
Warts are round formations formed on the surface of the skin as a result of overgrowth of the upper layer of the epithelium, as well as the papillary subcutaneous ball located directly below. Sometimes the appearance of formations is in no way related to the proliferation of the epithelium, because they can appear due to infection of the skin with human papillomavirus (HPV). In any case, warts on the legs, hands, as well as on the face cause a lot of trouble, up to the development of psychological complexes, so the problem of combating them is quite urgent.
The size of the papule depends on its location and variety. The minimum size of the form is 1. 5 mm, the maximum is 6 cm.
Note! Warts tend to merge, as a result of which the size of the papules increases significantly. The neoplasm takes 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 color of the skin, but after a certain time, the formation becomes purple, sometimes even black. Partly due to this color, warts are caused by dirt that adheres perfectly to the rough surface of the formation. If the warts are on the legs, the change in color characteristics occurs many times faster.
What is the cause of the appearance of warts, the etiology of their formation?
When warts appear, the reason for their 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 time, but does not even guess about it due to the lack of manifestations of pathology in the form of warts.
Methods of infection with the virus:
- the presence of wounds and microcracks on the skin helps the virus to penetrate inside;
- during close contact with an affected patient. Thus, most diseases are sexually transmitted;
- the use of hygiene products and belongings of an affected person can also infect the virus;
- you can get papillomavirus infection in public places such as 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.
It is important! In order to prevent the 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 busy lifestyle, frequent changes of sexual partners;
- neglecting hygiene rules;
- weakened immunity. Even if a person is a carrier of the virus, strong immunity will not allow the activation of the latter;
- 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 accompanying their formation, four main types of neoplasms are distinguished.
So, the types of warts:
- ordinary or simple;
- straight;
- old man
- condyloma acuminate.
Let's talk in more detail about the features and characteristics of each type.
Characteristics of a simple wart
Common wart (common wart) features include:
- the predominant place of localization is the back of the hand;
- the diameter of the papule is between 1 and 10 mm;
- Common warts usually disappear on their own within two years and do not require special treatment.
A variety of simple warts are plantar (plantar warts).
Features of plantar warts:
- warts on the legs appear more often in people characterized by excessive sweating of the legs;
- papules are mainly located in places of increased pressure of shoes on the skin;
- at first, the papule has a yellowish-gray color, a rough and uneven surface. The advanced stages of the pathology are characterized by a grayish-dirty change in color, significant compression of the affected skin, its keratinization;
- warts on the legs are among the most painful. In some cases, the development of the disease causes partial disability;
- as a rule, warts on the legs appear alone, but sometimes their number reaches 5-6. As the disease progresses, small plaques can merge to form a mosaic wart.
flat wart or young wart
The main difference between flat or young formations (plane warts) is that these warts appear most often in children and adolescents.
Symptoms of plane warts:
- papule smooth surface, diameter not more than 1. 5 mm;
- the height above the adjacent areas of the epidermis reaches 2 mm;
- the shape is round or irregular;
- localization places - the outer surface of the hands, the skin of the face, lower legs;
- the papule is not strongly distinguished on the skin surface not only by its flat shape, but also by 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 damage to the skin.
Symptoms and characteristics of a pointed wart
Symptoms that characterize this type of warts, such as condyloma (genital warts), include:
- pink growths that occur in the initial stages of the development of the pathology gradually merge with each other, forming a kind of growth located at a base that looks like a leg;
- the favorite place for the localization of this type of warts is the genitals of both women and men;
- Condyloma is transmitted through contact. If the carrier has microcracks and wounds in the genitals, the risk of contracting the disease increases;
- a pointed wart is characterized by growth, therefore, when the first signs of a disease are detected, you should immediately contact a dermatologist;
- condyloma is a 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 a serious disease such as cervical cancer.
Symptoms of seborrheic keratosis
Elderly wart or so-called seborrheic keratosis: signs and characteristics of education:
- characteristic of elderly people;
- 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;
- the most frequent manifestations of the disease affect the skin of the chest, less often - the face, neck, hands, forearms and legs;
- multiple nature of formations, usually the number of keratosis elements does not exceed 20;
- the tendency to seborrheic warts is genetically transmitted;
- the minimum diameter of the papule is 2 mm, the maximum is 6 cm.
The clinic of a senile wart depends on its stage of development and its location on the body. In the early stages, these are flat spots with clearly defined edges, pink or yellow in color, covered with easily peeling crusts. Over time, the shells thicken, their thickness reaches two cm. With the development of pathology, the papules take the shape of a fungus, become dark brown or even black.
The process of development of seborrheic wart lasts more than ten years, but during this period no malignant transformation occurs with papules.
Features of the treatment of warts
When treating warts, you need to know:
- It is absolutely 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 to a latent form;
- the disease recurs;
- after removing a wart on the epidermis, as a rule, traces remain in the form of scars and scars;
- sometimes formations disappear by themselves, especially for young patients.
It is 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 symptoms of the pathology and maximize the period of remission.
Traditional methods of combating warts
Note! The therapeutic course is based on the use of classical drugs and methods, but in the early stages of the disease, a clear success can be achieved with the help of traditional medicine.
Comprehensive treatment of warts involves the use of general and local drugs, as well as medical procedures.
Popular ways to fight warts:
- laser removal of papules. It is considered one of the most effective and fast methods, it does not harm the skin;
- electrocoagulation method. It helps to reduce growths by being exposed to high temperatures;
- cryotherapy or cauterization;
- surgical removal. This method is used very 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 burn papules;
- compresses and decoctions based on celandine;
- rub from dandelion juice. Lubricate the affected areas at least three times a day;
- garlic and onion juice;
- medicinal infusion based on wormwood.
You can get rid of warts by performing cold procedures. Cauterization with vinegar has a positive effect. But 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.