There are very few people who will not face a problem like warts on the body. These growths can occur in the body in adolescents, adults and the elderly. In general, warts are just a cosmetic problem, they spoil a person's appearance. And only rarely do these formations pose a real threat to health.
What is a wart?
Our skin has a smooth surface. However, in some cases, protruding skin growths may appear on it. These are called warts. In general, these are permanent formations that do not change for many years.
The mechanism of warts is the growth of the top layer of skin. Formations range in size from 1 mm to several centimeters. This parameter depends on the type of formation and its location on the skin. A combination of several warts is often observed. The color of the skin growth is usually fleshy, but can take on other shades such as brown or brown.
Medical warts are classified as benign neoplasms. They do not grow and do not penetrate the surrounding tissues.
In the International Classification of Diseases, warts are given the following codes:
- B07 - viral warts,
- A63. 0 - sexual wart,
- L82 Seborrheic Keratoma
Most warts are viral, sexually transmitted warts are venereal and seborrheic keratomas are old warts that are not natural.
The following skin lesions should be distinguished from warts:
- nevi (mol),
- calluses,
- malignant tumors,
- basal cell carcinoma,
- extensive warts caused by syphilis.
Some of these formations can be life threatening. Therefore, if there is a suspicion in the body, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Why do warts occur?
In general, viral infection is the cause of warts. The process of wart formation occurs as follows. Human papillomavirus enters skin cells and causes them to divide rapidly. The result is a growth or papilloma on the skin. However, there are warts that have nothing to do with the virus.
Strictly speaking, papilloma does not always occur on the skin. Often these formations occur in the mucous membranes, inside the bladder, larynx, cervix, etc. However, it is common to call warts papillomas that appear only on the skin.
Warts can be located anywhere on the body. However, some species have favorite places. For example, warts usually occur in the groin and anus; the chords prefer the layers of skin on the upper part of the body.
Human papillomavirus does not multiply outside the body. But it can last a long time in hot and humid places. Therefore, people can often get this disease when visiting baths, saunas, swimming pools. However, the virus does not live long in the open air - it is neutralized by the sun's ultraviolet rays.
According to research, about 80% of the world's population is infected with a type of human papillomavirus. In total, there are two hundred types of these viruses. Some viruses are relatively harmless, some cause papillomas, and some can cause malignant tumors. Some strains can be passed from person to person. As a result, certain types of warts can be contagious. However, contrary to popular belief, the spread of the disease from frogs and toads, as well as other members of the fauna, is impossible. This is due to the fact that animal papillomaviruses do not multiply in the human body.
Personal contact, shaking hands, sharing household items (such as towels), coming to public places (swimming pools, baths, saunas, transportation), small wounds, and sexually transmitted infections can lead to a new type of virus.
The papilloma virus that penetrates the body does not always cause the appearance of the disease. In general, disease-related factors include stress, decreased immunity (for example, due to infectious diseases). At the same time, the virus can remain in the body for several years and wait in the wings.
Types of warts
Doctors distinguish several types of warts:
- ordinary (vulgar),
- young (straight),
- pointed (condylomata),
- old man
- like a thread.
Birthmarks (nevi) should be separated from these types of warts. Generally, birthmarks do not leave the surface of the skin and are dark in color, although there are exceptions.
Vulgar warts
This type of wart occurs in 70% of patients. It is caused by the papilloma virus. Externally, vulgar (ordinary) papillomas look like small semicircular formations on the surface of the skin. They are generally completely painless. The size of the formations is from a few mm to 1 cm. Their surface is generally uneven, convex, often resembling the surface of cauliflower. Color - flesh-colored, grayish, yellowish-brown. Frequent localization - hands, face, fingers, lips, knees, elbows. Mucous membranes are rarely affected.
Often, ordinary papillomas can go away on their own. This type of papilloma is often characterized by group growth, not single. You will often find a large papilloma where small ones grow around. If you remove the largest (mother) papilloma, the smaller ones usually disappear.
Common papillomas can occur at any age. They often occur in school-age children.
Young warts
This type of papilloma usually occurs in children and adolescents. But it can also be seen in adults. These papillomas are often called flat papillomas. They make up only 4% of all warts.
They can often be found in the hands. It can also be seen on the feet and face, near the nails, between the toes, on the feet and neck. These are often associated with hormonal changes in the body. Like normal papillomas, they do not pose a serious threat and can pass on their own. They generally do not cause physical discomfort, but may worsen the appearance.
Flat papillomas are usually flesh-colored and protrude only slightly above the skin surface (approximately 1-2 mm). They can reach 5 mm in diameter, but are generally smaller than the vulgar ones. Flattened papillomas can occur near wounds and cuts. In general, juvenile papillomas have a smooth surface and are uneven, although well defined. A layer on the surface may look shiny due to the lack of corneum.
Plantar warts
This is an extremely unpleasant skin growth that occurs on the feet. Sometimes they confuse it with corn. However, plantar papillomas have a feature that distinguishes them from corn. If the plant wart is damaged, it usually bleeds. This phenomenon is not typical for corn. Although visible from the outside, papillomas on the legs can look like calluses - generally hard and keratinized. Their color is usually dirty yellow with a dirty gray, dark or brown color. Black dots may appear on the surfaces.
Often there is a plantar wart on the foot. But as they grow together, they can meet as a group. Plantar papillomas grow not only outside the skin, but also deeper.
Externally, these types of warts may look like ordinary ones. They are generally semicircular in shape. However, if a person constantly forms such a skin, it can take on a corrected shape.
The appearance of papillomas on the heel has little to do with age; can be seen in both young and old. These formations can also be observed in children.
Plantar papillomas can cause discomfort and even severe pain while walking. When you step on such a growth, it is as if you are stepping on a small pebble. Externally, warts sometimes look like thorns. That is why people call this type of papilloma a thorn.
At rest, these formations can cause itching. Like other types of papillomas, plantar warts develop under the influence of the papilloma virus. The virus often infects the skin of the feet. For example, it is not uncommon to catch the virus in a pool without rubber shoes. Uncomfortable shoes contribute to the formation of skin lesions, as they often occur where the shoes rub the feet. Heavy sweating and inadequate foot hygiene also contribute to this.
It is not recommended to touch the papillomas on the soles of the hands, as this can transmit the virus to other areas of the skin.
Treatment of plant warts
Sometimes these types of papillomas can go away on their own. This happens in about half of the cases. But sometimes it takes a long time to wait for this moment, and not everyone can afford it, especially if education feels painful. If the growth on the foot causes severe pain and does not allow walking, it should be removed. In addition, more than 1 cm of education should be removed. Removal can only be performed in a doctor's office.
If there is a suspicion that the formation in the leg belongs to any type of papilloma, the doctor may perform a number of diagnostic procedures. These include rupture and analysis of the stratum corneum, and PCR analysis for the presence of the papilloma virus genome. Ultrasound examination is performed to determine the shape and size of the formation. Leg warts require a differential diagnosis from syphilitic warts. However, in general, extensive diagnostic measures are not carried out, because it is not difficult to diagnose papilloma in the leg.
Sometimes medication can be used to stop the growth on the foot. Preparations with salicylic acid, necrotic substances, freezing aerosols and special plasters are suitable for cleaning warts. However, drug removal is usually not a quick procedure. Only with the help of tools available in medical institutions, you can quickly remove the wart on the sole. These methods can be:
- laser,
- surgical,
- electrocoagulation,
- cryodestruction,
- radio wave.
Each type of procedure has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, surgery is used mainly for skin growth because it seriously damages the skin.
Genital warts
This is a special type of wart. They usually occur in the genitals. Because they look like papillae (hence their names), the pictures are also unusual. However, warts can also have an irregular shape similar to cauliflower or cockscomb. Viruses that cause this type of wart are usually sexually transmitted. In addition, condylomata can be observed in the mucous membrane, anus. Therefore, such warts are often called anogenital or venereal. Less commonly, condylomata are under the armpits in women under the breasts. Warts range from flesh-colored to pink. Sometimes several genital warts can grow together. In addition, this type of condyloma can grow to a large size. Warts can cause painful sensations during sexual intercourse and defecation. If injured, blood may be shed. Women with genital warts can also develop cervical cancer.
Filiform warts
This type of wart is extremely common. Filiform warts or acrocodes often grow in large groups. For areas with sensitive skin, choose acrocodes. These are the armpits, neck, shoulders, eyelids, nose wings. It can occur in the groin area, under the mammary glands in women. They generally do not bother or harm a person, but they can itch.
Externally, filamentous warts resemble long strands. However, acrocords with a thin filiform body, usually attached to a thick spherical or hemispherical body, are common. They are also filiform. Such warts are called hanging.
Most warts of this type range in size from 1 mm to 5 mm. There are also chords larger than 1 cm. Sometimes several filamentous warts grow together.
Accordions are rare in children. These are typical for people over the age of 35. And as the years go by, their numbers generally increase. This type of wart is found in 100% of people over the age of 70. The tendency to have too many chords in the body can also be inherited. Acrochords are often associated with being overweight. It can occur in women during pregnancy.
Filamented warts have an unpleasant feature. If a filamentous wart is torn, a new one will soon grow in its place. Acrochords rarely pass on their own. Appearance develops with increased sweating, decreased immunity.
Senile warts
This type of wart has another name - seborrheic keratoma. It usually occurs in people over 60 years of age. Unlike other types of warts, aging keratomas are not caused by human papillomavirus. The exact causes of their occurrence have not been determined. Keratomas are most likely associated with age-related changes in the body. They develop from the basal layer of the epidermis, so they are often called basal cell papillomas. Although this is not a very accurate name, the cause of true papillomas is only viruses. Heredity plays an important role in the formation of these neoplasms. Older keratomas can often resemble melanoma. Therefore, if it occurs, it is necessary to consult a doctor to make a diagnosis. However, older keratomas generally do not require treatment and do not develop into malignant tumors.
Externally, keratomas resemble pink or yellowish papules 1-2 mm thick. Sizes range from 2 mm to 3 cm. Sometimes these types of warts reach 4-6 cm in size. Keratomas have an oily, easily removable crust. Their surface, like corrugated, is uneven. As they grow, keratomas often become like a fungal cap and change color to black or dark brown. Surfaces can harden and crack.
Often keratomas are located in the neck and chest. Can be observed in groups. They are less visible on the hands and face. Mucus is absent in membranes. Generally, there are no more than 20 keratomas in the body, and if a person has many old warts, it is often due to hereditary factors.
Older keratomas do not go away on their own. People with excessive seborrheic keratomas are advised to increase the amount of vitamin C in their diet to prevent new growths. You should also avoid direct sunlight, overheating, hypothermia and stress.
Treatment
Most papillomas do not pose a serious threat. However, it can cause damage and blood loss after injury. After that, there is a risk of malignant tumors. The risk of malignant transformation in papillomas and keratomas is much lower than in moles.
Papillomas are usually treated by removal (surgery, cold, high-frequency electric current or laser). Therapeutic treatments are generally less effective.
Indications for removal are pain, large size, bleeding, deformation of the skin, its location in an uncomfortable place (for example, on the toe, foot, genital area), aesthetic considerations. Warts are also subject to removal.