Warts are small growths on the skin of the body or face.Its formation is associated with the activity of the human papillomavirus (HPV).There are about a hundred strains of this virus, each of which causes the formation of 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, a 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 that appear due to changes in the body's metabolic processes are identified 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 features and methods of combating them will help with this.
Vulgar warts
Simple or vulgar warts are small round protuberances that do not differ in color from the skin tone.They arise due to the action of the human papillomavirus.Favorite location areas are areas with increased sweating.Vulgar warts are most often located on the hands, feet, back and sides.
It takes about several months from the time 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 formation of unsightly growths occur against the background of a decrease in general and local immunity.Due to the peculiarities of the location of vulgar warts, this process is often caused by a decrease in local immunity, for example, when the skin is damaged, or excessive sweating of the feet and palms.
Vulgar warts are considered harmless growths.They almost never degenerate into malignant neoplasia.
Vulgar warts can appear on anyone.They are encountered with equal frequency by children, adolescents and adults.You can remove them in several ways:
- cryodestruction;
- laser;
- surgical method;
- preparations containing alkali;
- folk remedies.
It is recommended that large warts be removed in a dermatologist's office, as self-treatment can cause scarring.
Vulgar warts are the most common type.
Flat warts
It is very easy to recognize the types of warts in a photo yourself.One of the rare types is flat warts.They represent no more than 4% of cases of skin growths.
Characteristics of flat warts:
- diameter no more than 5 mm;
- slight elevation above the skin;
- irregular shape;
- clear limits;
- smooth surface;
- slight pigmentation.
These warts differ slightly in color from healthy skin – they are a little more pink or brown, which makes them easy to see.The second name for flat warts is juvenile.They appear more frequently in children and adolescents.Classic sites are the skin of the legs, hands, face.
Juvenile warts are viral in nature and are caused by HPV.They are not prone to degeneration into malignant neoplasms, therefore they are relatively safe.
Such growths do not pose a danger to health and do not cause discomfort other than aesthetic ones.If there are many of them or they are located in open areas of the body, it will not be difficult to remove the tumor.To prevent scar formation, the use of cryodestruction, electrocoagulation, or laser removal is recommended.
Condylomas
For women's health, condylomas and papillomas pose a much more serious threat than for men.
Condylomas are small growths with a papillary structure that affect the external genitalia in women and men.These growths are viral in nature;The strain of HPV that causes these warts to appear is sexually transmitted.
Characteristics of condylomas:
- small size and presence of thin legs;
- the color does not differ from the tone of the skin or mucous membrane;
- can merge into large neoplasms;
- are easily injured.
Condylomas are types of warts that are easily recognizable in photographs.Most often, they are located on the external genitalia in women, around the glans penis, and on the shaft of the penis in men.Condylomas affect the perineum, the area around the anus, and in rare cases are found in the mouth.
Some strains of the HPV virus can cause condylomas to develop 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 remedy allows you to get rid of the growth without leaving scars.Removal of condylomas on the lips can be performed with a radium scalpel.
At home, tumors on the mucous membranes cannot be removed, as the epithelium of the genital organs can be damaged.
Papillomas
Papillomas are a type of skin wart;there are several types of them on the skin.In fact, a vulgar wart is one of the types of papillomas.These growths can appear anywhere on the body, including mucous membranes.They are a soft ball with a uniform structure, rising above the skin thanks to a small stalk.Papillomas are caused by the HPV virus;depending on the strain, they can affect both the epidermis and mucous membranes.The most dangerous places where growths are located:
- urethra;
- larynx;
- anus;
- armpits;
- inguinal folds;
- soles of the feet.
Papillomas in the urethra cause physical discomfort, as the body perceives them as a potentially dangerous object.They can grow and cause urethral strictures 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 when 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, therefore, papillomas located in inconvenient places, which can be accidentally touched by nails or rubbed by clothing, must be removed.
Papillomas can appear in people of any age and gender.To remove them, methods used in the treatment of vulgar warts are used.
Keratomas
Common sites for senile keratoma are the back of the hands, face and neck;less commonly, they may be located on 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, due to 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.These neoplasms are not a consequence of HPV and belong to age-related dermatological diseases.Keratomas only appear in people over 50 years of age.
They are considered safe neoplasms, the degree of oncogenicity is very low.These growths can be located in any open area of the body.
The neoplasm itself is a clear cosmetic defect, so it can be removed.Keratomas must be removed by professional methods - cryodestruction, laser removal, electrocoagulation.Particularly large tumors are removed by surgical excision.
Filiform papillomas
There are several types of warts on the body;Filamentous papillomas are one of the most common types of warts.They appear in people over 40 years of age.Most often, women face these neoplasms, as their skin is thinner than that of men.Location of filamentous papillomas:
- neck;
- armpits;
- face;
- eyelids;
- area under the mammary glands;
- inguinal folds.
This type of growth is a small oblong papilla that rises above the skin.The dimensions of the papillae are very small - no more than 1 mm in diameter and several mm in length.
Thread-like growths do not pose a health hazard, as they almost never degenerate into malignant neoplasms.The only exceptions are cases of severe damage to the growths and secondary infection.
It is impossible to remove filamentous papillomas with folk or pharmaceutical remedies.Due to its small size, aggressive exposure to alkalis and acidic agents can lead to the formation of a deep wound, where a large scar will remain.To remove these small growths, it is best to give preference to laser, electrocoagulation or liquid nitrogen.
Threaded papillomas usually affect the neck and armpits.
Plantar warts
Another manifestation of the HPV virus is plantar warts, or spinules.These growths are a flat, callus-like plaque that appears on the foot.The peculiarity of this wart is that it penetrates deep into the skin, while the upper part of the growth is flat and practically does not stand out against the background of a healthy epidermis.
Plantar warts grow deep into the skin and hurt when pressed.Both children and adults can find them.The spine must be removed by laser, cryodestruction or surgical method.Home remedies are only effective for removing small spines, the size of which does not exceed 2 to 3 mm in diameter.
Pimples cause great discomfort, but they are safe because they do not degenerate into cancer.
Plantar warts are not dangerous, but they cause discomfort when walking.
Diagnosis – which doctor should I contact?
To diagnose and remove warts on the skin of the body and face, you should consult a dermatologist.To make a diagnosis, a visual examination is performed.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.A PCR analysis of the urogenital swab is required to determine the virus strain.Based on the results of the examination, the doctor decides on acceptable methods for removing the tumor.