Warts are small growths on the skin of the body or face.Their formation is related to the activity of the human papillomavirus (HPV).There are about a hundred strains of this virus, each of which causes different types of warts.
what is a wart
Even on the most well-groomed and healthy skin, warts can appear - small round nodules that are benign neoplasms.
A wart is a benign growth on the skin of the body associated with the activity of the HPV virus.About 70% of the world's population is infected with this virus.Due to its action, the pathological process of epidermal cell division begins, which results in the appearance of a small skin growth or wart.
There are different types of warts caused by different strains of the virus.Not all warts are viral in nature;senile growths resulting from changes in metabolic processes in the body are defined separately.
To get rid of growth, you need to understand the reasons for its occurrence.The following reminder about the types of warts on the body, their characteristics and ways to deal with them will help.
Vulgar warts
Simple or vulgar warts are small round growths that do not differ in color from the skin tone.They arise due to the activity of the human papillomavirus.Favorite localization areas are areas with increased sweating.Vulgar warts are most often found on the hands, feet, back and sides.
It takes about several months from the moment of infection with the virus until such growths appear.If a person's immunity is strong, the body itself will defeat the virus and warts will not appear on the skin.The activation of the pathological process and the appearance of unaesthetic growths occur against the background of a decrease in general and local immunity.Due to the characteristics of the location of vulgar warts, this process often occurs with a decrease in local immunity, for example, when the skin is damaged or due to excessive sweating of the feet and palms.
Vulgar warts are considered harmless growths.They almost never turn into a malignant neoplasm.
Vulgar warts can appear on anyone.They are equally common in children, adolescents and adults.You can delete them in several ways:
- cryodestruction;
- laser;
- surgical method;
- preparations containing alkali;
- folk treatment.
Large vulgar warts are recommended to be removed in a dermatologist's office, as self-treatment can cause scarring.
Vulgar warts are the most common type.
Flat warts
It is quite easy to recognize the types of warts yourself from the photo.One of the rare types is flat wart.They account for no more than 4% of skin growth cases.
Features of flat warts:
- diameter does not exceed 5 mm;
- slight elevation on the skin;
- irregular shape;
- clear boundaries;
- smooth surface;
- light pigmentation.
These warts are slightly different in color from healthy skin - they are a little more pink or brown, which makes them easier to see.The second name of flat warts is young.They appear more often in children and adolescents.Classic places are the skin of the feet, hands, and face.
Juvenile warts are viral in nature and caused by HPV.They do not tend to degenerate into a malignant neoplasm, so they are relatively safe.
Such growths do not pose a threat to health and do not cause discomfort other than aesthetic ones.If there are many of them or if they are located in open areas of the body, it will not be difficult to remove the growth.To prevent the formation of scars, it is recommended to use cryodestruction, electrocoagulation or laser removal.
Condylomas
Condylomas and papillomas pose a more serious threat to women's health than men's.
Condylomas are small growths with a papillary structure that affect the external genitalia in women and men.These growths are viral in nature;the HPV strain that causes such warts is sexually transmitted.
Characteristics of condylomas:
- the presence of a small size and a thin leg;
- the color does not differ from the shade of the skin or mucous membrane;
- can merge into large neoplasms;
- they are easily damaged.
Condylomas are types of warts that are easily recognized from photographs.Most often, it is localized in the external genitalia in women, around the head of the penis, and in the shaft of the penis in men.Condylomas affect the perineum, the area around the anus and are rarely found in the mouth.
Some strains of the HPV virus can cause the development of condylomas on the cervix in women.This type of growth is very dangerous and causes cervical cancer.Common condylomas located on the labia minora or penis, as a rule, are not classified as oncogenic.
Liquid nitrogen is most often used to remove them.This tool allows you to get rid of growth without scarring.Removal of condylomas on the labia can be performed using a radio knife.
It is impossible to remove tumors from the mucous membranes at home, because the epithelium of the genital organs can be damaged.
Papillomas
Papillomas are a type of skin wart;there are several types of them in the skin.In fact, the vulgar wart is one of the types of papilloma.These growths can appear anywhere on the body, including mucous membranes.They are a soft ball with a uniform structure that rises on the skin thanks to a small handle.Papillomas are caused by the HPV virus;depending on the strain, it can affect both the epidermis and mucous membranes.The most dangerous places where growths are localized:
- urethra;
- larynx;
- anus;
- armrests;
- inguinal folds;
- underfoot.
Papillomas in the urethra cause physical discomfort, because the body perceives them as a potentially dangerous object.They can grow and cause a narrowing of the urethra in men, so they must be removed.
Growths in the larynx can cause persistent throat irritation and voice changes.Papillomas in the anus are easily injured and can become inflamed.Growths located in the folds of the skin rub strongly during walking.This can cause irritation and infection.
Papillomas are potentially dangerous skin tumors.Only a doctor can accurately determine the risk of oncogenicity.
Injury and damage to such growths can lead to the development of a malignant process, so papillomas located in inconvenient places, which can accidentally touch nails or rub with clothes, should be removed.
Papillomas can appear in people of any age and gender.To eliminate them, the methods used in the treatment of vulgar warts are used.
Keratomes
Common sites for senile keratoma are the back of the hands, face, and neck;less commonly, they may be located in the trunk.
Keratoma is a growth of the stratum corneum of the skin.It is a brown spot that rises above the skin.The structure of the spot is quite dense, this is due to the keratinization (keratinization) of the upper layer of the epidermis.
The main reasons for the development of keratomas are the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin and age-related changes in the epidermis.Such neoplasms are not the result of HPV and belong to age-related dermatological diseases.Keratoma appears only in people over 50 years of age.
They are considered safe neoplasms, the degree of oncogenicity is very low.Such growths can be located in any open areas of the body.
The neoplasm itself is a clear cosmetic defect, so it can be removed.Keratomes should be removed by professional methods - cryodestruction, laser removal, electrocoagulation.Especially large tumors are removed by surgical incision.
Filiform papillomas
There are several types of wart growths on the body;Filamentous papillomas are one of the most common types of warts.They appear in people over 40 years old.Most often, women encounter such neoplasms, because their skin is thinner than men.Localization of filamentous papillomas:
- the neck;
- armrests;
- the face;
- eyelids;
- the area under the mammary glands;
- inguinal folds.
This type of growth is a small elongated papilla that rises above the skin.The size of the papillae is very small - no more than 1 mm in diameter and a few mm in length.
Thread-like growths do not pose a threat to health, because they almost never turn into malignant neoplasms.The only exceptions are cases of serious growth damage and secondary infection.
It is impossible to eliminate filamentous papillomas using folk or pharmaceutical means.Due to their small size, aggressive exposure to alkalis and acidic substances can cause a deep wound, leaving a large scar in its place.To remove these small growths, it is better to prefer laser, electrocoagulation or liquid nitrogen.
Serrated papillomas often affect the neck and armpits.
Plantar warts
Another manifestation of the HPV virus is plantar warts or spinules.These growths are flat plaques similar to the callus seen on the feet.The peculiarity of such a wart is that it goes deep under the skin, the upper part of the growth is flat and practically indistinguishable against the background of a healthy epidermis.
Plantar warts grow deep in the skin and are painful when squeezed.Both children and adults can encounter them.Spine removal should be done by laser, cryodestruction or surgery.Home treatment is only effective for removing small lumps no larger than 2-3 mm in diameter.
Spines are a serious concern, but they are safe as they do not turn into cancer.
A plantar wart is not dangerous, but it causes discomfort when walking.
Diagnosis - which doctor should I consult?
You should consult a dermatologist to diagnose and remove warts on the skin of the body and face.A visual examination is performed to make a diagnosis.Examination with a dermatoscope will help to accurately determine the type of growth.
If growths appear on the genitals, you should contact a gynecologist (for women), a urologist (for men) or a venereologist.To determine the strain of the virus, PCR analysis of urogenital smear is required.Based on the results of the examination, the doctor decides on acceptable methods of tumor removal.