There are very few people who would not have to face a problem like a wart on the body. These growths can occur on the body in adolescents, adults and the elderly. Generally, warts are only a cosmetic problem, which affects the appearance of a person. and only in rare cases do these formations pose a real threat to health.
What is a wart?
The surface of our skin is smooth. However, in some cases raised skin may appear on it. They are called warts. Usually these are permanent formations that do not change for many years.
The mechanism of occurrence of warts is the growth of the upper layer of the skin. The size of the formations ranges from 1 mm to several centimeters. This parameter depends on the type of formation and its location on the skin. The fusion of several warts is often observed. The color of skin growths is usually flesh, but they can also take on other colors, for example, pink or brown.
Medicine classifies warts as benign neoplasms. They do not grow and do not penetrate into the surrounding tissue.
In the International Classification of Diseases, warts are assigned the following codes:
- B07 - Viral Wart,
- A 63. 0 - venereal wart,
- L82 Seborrheic Keratoma
Most types of warts are viral, sexually transmitted warts are venereal, and seborrheic keratomas are old warts that are non-contagious in nature.
The following skin lesions should be differentiated from warts:
- nevi (moles),
- calluses,
- malignant tumors,
- basal cell carcinoma,
- Widespread warts resulting from syphilis.
Some of these formations can be life threatening. Therefore, if any suspicious formation appears on the body, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Why do warts happen?
Usually, a viral infection is the cause of warts. The process of occurrence of warts is as follows. Human papillomavirus enters the skin cells and causes them to divide rapidly. As a result, a growth or papilloma develops on the skin. However, there are types of warts that have nothing to do with the virus.
Strictly speaking, papillomas do not always occur on the skin. Often these formations are found on mucous membranes, inside the bladder, in the larynx, on the cervix, etc. However, it is customary to call warts papillomas that appear only on the skinis.
Warts can occur on any part of the body. However, some species have their own preferred locations. For example, warts usually form in the groin and anus; Acrochords prefer skin folds in the upper body.
Human papillomavirus does not multiply outside the body. However, it can persist for a long time in hot and humid places. This is why people can often get infected by visiting baths, saunas, swimming pools. But the virus is exposed. Does not last long in the air - it is neutralized by the ultraviolet radiation of the sun.
According to studies, about 80% of the world's population is infected with some type of human papillomavirus. There are a total of two hundred strains of these viruses. Some viruses are relatively harmless, others lead to papillomas, and other malignant tumors as well. Some strains can be passed from person to person. As a result, some types of warts can be contagious. But transmission of the disease from frogs and toads as well as other representatives of the fauna, popular beliefUnlike, impossible. This is explained by the fact that animal papillomaviruses do not multiply in the human body.
You become infected with a new type of virus through personal contact, shaking hands, sharing household items (for example, towels), visiting public places (swimming pools, baths, saunas, transportation), small wounds, and having sexcan be.
The papilloma virus that has entered the body does not always cause the appearance of the disease. Usually, the factors associated with the disease are stress, low immunity (for example, due to infectious diseases). At the same time, the virus persists for many years. Can live in the body and wait in the wings.
types of warts
Doctors distinguish several types of warts:
- ordinary (vulgar),
- youth (flat),
- spiked (condylomas),
- old,
- Like a thread
Birthmarks (nevi) should be distinguished from this type of wart. Typically, birthmarks do not protrude from the surface of the skin and are darker, although there are exceptions.
vulgar warts
This type of wart occurs in 70% of cases. It is caused by the papilloma virus. Externally, vulgar (simple) papillomas look like small semicircular formations on the surface of the skin. They are usually completely painlessThe formations range in size from several mm to 1 cm. Their surface is usually uneven, bumpy, often resembling the surface of a cauliflower. Color - flesh-colored, brown, yellow-brown. Frequent localization - hands, Face, fingers, lips, knees, elbows. Mucous membranes are rarely affected.
Often, simple papillomas can go away on their own. The peculiarity of this type of papillomas is that they often do not grow singly, but in groups. You can often find one large papilloma, around which smaller ones grow. If you look at mostWhen large (maternal) papillomas are removed, the smaller ones usually disappear.
Common papillomas can occur at any age. They most often occur in children of school age.
juvenile warts
This type of papilloma usually occurs in children and adolescents. But they can also appear in people of mature age. These papillomas are also often referred to as flat papillomas. They account for only 4% of all warts.
They can often be found on the hand. They can also be seen on the feet and face, near the nails, between the toes, on the feet, and on the neck. They are often associated with hormonal changes in the body. As such, they do not pose a significant danger and may go away on their own. They do not usually cause physical discomfort, but they can spoil the appearance.
Flat papillomas are usually flesh-colored and protrude slightly above the surface of the skin (by about 1–2 mm). They can reach a diameter of 5 mm, but they are usually smaller than obscene ones. Papillomas may occur near wounds and cuts. Juvenile papillomas usually have a smooth surface and uneven, though well-defined, borders. Due to the lack of a stratum corneum on the surface, they may appear shiny.
plantar warts
This is an extremely unpleasant type of skin growth that occurs on the feet. Sometimes they are mistaken for corns. However, plantar papillomas have a characteristic that differentiates them from corns. If a plantar wart is damaged, If it does, it will usually bleed. For corns, this phenomenon is not typical. Although outwardly, papillomas on the legs may look like calluses - they are usually hard and keratinized. Their color is usually brown. They are dirty brown, dark or dirty yellow with color. Black dots may be visible on their surface.
Most often, a plantar wart is found on the foot. But they can also occur in groups, as well as grow. Plantar papillomas grow not only outside the skin, but also deeper.
Outwardly, these types of warts may look like normal ones. They usually have a semicircular shape. However, if a person constantly develops this type of skin build up, it can take a flattened appearance.
The appearance of papillomas on the soles has little to do with age, they can appear in both young people and the elderly. These formations can also be seen in children.
Plantar papilloma can cause discomfort and even severe pain when walking. When you step on such an extension, it is as if you are stepping on a small pebble. Externally, warts sometimesSometimes they can be like thorns. That's why people call this type of papilloma spine.
In a calm state, these formations can cause itching. Like other types of papillomas, plantar warts develop under the influence of the papilloma virus. The virus is often transmitted to the skin of the feet from the environment. For example, through rubber shoes. It is not uncommon to catch this virus without going to a pool. Inconvenient footwear also contributes to the occurrence of skin sores, as they often occur in places where shoes rub the feet. Heavy sweating and inadequate foot hygiene can also contribute factors. are.
It is not recommended to touch the papilloma on the sole with your hands, because in this way you can transfer the virus to other areas of the skin.
Plantar Warts Treatment
Sometimes this type of papilloma can go away on its 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 tolerate it, especially if the education itselfIf a protrusion on the leg causes sharp pain, does not allow walking, it should be removed. Also, education of more than 1 cm should be removed. The removal operation can only be done in a doctor's office.
If there is a suspicion that the formation on the foot is related to any type of papilloma, the doctor may perform a number of diagnostic procedures. These include scraping and analysis of the stratum corneum, PCR analysis for the presence of the papilloma virus genome. The size of the formation andTo determine the size, an ultrasound scan is performed. Warts on the foot require a differential diagnosis from syphilis warts. However, comprehensive diagnostic measures are usually not carried out, since papillomas on the foot are not difficult to diagnose.
Sometimes medication can be tried to remove growths on the foot. To remove warts, preparations with salicylic acid, necrotizing agents, freezing aerosols and special ointments are suitable. However, removal with medication is usually aNot a quick procedure. You can quickly remove warts on the soles only with the help of tools available in medical institutions. These methods can be:
- Laser,
- Surgery,
- electrocoagulation,
- cryodestruction,
- radio wave.
Either type of procedure has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, the surgical method is mainly used for large skin growths, as it seriously injures the skin.
genital warts
This is a special type of wart. They are usually found in the genital area. Their shape is also unusual, as they look like papillae (hence their name). However, warts can also have an irregular shape, whichLooks like cauliflower or cockscomb. The viruses that cause this type of wart are usually sexually transmitted. Also, condyloma can be seen on the mucous membrane in the anus. Therefore, such warts are often called anogenital or venereal. In females, under the mammary glands, less commonly, are found in the armpits. Warts are flesh-pink in color. Sometimes several genital warts can grow together. Also, condyloma of this species can grow to a large size. Warts can cause painful sensations during intercourse, defecation. When injured, they may bleed. Women with genital warts can also develop cervical cancer.
filiform warts
This type of wart is extremely common. Filiform warts, or acrochords, often grow in large clusters. Prefer acrochords for areas with thinner skin. This is the area of the armpits, neck, shoulders, eyelids, wings of the nose. In femalesMay occur in the groin area, under the mammary glands. They usually do not bother a person and do not hurt, but they can itch.
Externally, filamentous warts resemble long threads. However, acrochords are often found that have a thin filmy stem to which a thick body is attached, usually spherical or hemispherical. They are also filmy. Such warts are calledIt is called a pendulous.
Most of these types of warts range in size from 1 mm to 5 mm. There are also acrochords larger than 1 cm. Sometimes several filamentous warts grow together.
Acrochords are rare in children. They are typical for people over the age of 35. And over the years, their number usually increases. In people over the age of 70, these types of warts are seen in 100%The tendency to have a large number of acrochords on the body can also be inherited. Acrochords are often associated with being overweight. In women, they can occur during pregnancy.
Filamentous warts have an unpleasant feature. If a filamentous wart ruptures, a new one will soon grow in its place. Acrochords rarely pass on their own. Their appearance is promoted by increased sweating, reduced immunitygoes.
old warts
This type of wart has another name - seborrheic keratoma. It usually occurs in people over the age of 60. Unlike other types of warts, senile keratomas are not caused by the human papillomavirus. The exact reasons for their occurrence are not known. Not established. Keratomas are most likely to be associated with age-related changes in the body. They develop from the basal layer of the epidermis, which is why they are often called basal cell papillomas. Although this is an accurate nameNo, because true papillomas are caused only by viruses. Heredity plays an important role in the emergence of these neoplasms. Senile keratomas can often resemble melanoma. Therefore, if they do occur, it is necessary to consult a doctor so that he can make a diagnosisHowever, senile keratoma usually does not require treatment and does not turn into a malignant tumor.
Externally, keratomas look like pink or yellowish papules with a thickness of 1-2 mm. Their size ranges from 2 mm to 3 cm. Sometimes, this type of wart reaches a size of 4-6 cm. Keratomas have a fatty, easily removable layer. Their surface is uneven, as if corrugated. As they grow, keratomas often become like mushroom caps, and their color changes to black or dark brown. Their surface hardens. falls, they can crack.
Most often, keratomas are located on the neck and chest. Can be seen in groups. They are less visible on the hands and face. They are not present on mucous membranes. Typically, there are no more than 20 keratomas on the body. If a person has a lot of old warts, it is often due to hereditary factors.
Senile keratomas do not go away on their own. People with excessive amounts of seborrheic keratomas on the body are advised to increase the amount of vitamin C in their diet to prevent new growth. You may be exposed to direct sunlight, overheating, hypothermia, stress. Contact should also be avoided.
treatment
Most papillomas do not pose a serious threat. However, after injury, they can bruising, bleed. After that, there is a risk of developing malignant tumors. Although in papillomas and keratomas, the risk of malignant transformation is molesmuch less than that.
Papillomas are usually treated by removal (surgical, cold, with the help of high-frequency electric current or laser). Therapeutic treatments are usually less effective.
Indications for removal are soreness of the skin formation, its enlargement, bleeding, change in shape, location in an uncomfortable place (for example, on the tip of the toes, on the soles, in the genital area), aesthetic considerations . Warts are also subject to removal.