There are very few people who do not face such a problem as warts on the body. These growths can occur on the body in adults, adolescents and the elderly. Usually, warts are just a cosmetic problem that hinders a person’s appearance. Only in rare cases are these formations a real threat to health.
What is a wart?
Our skin has a smooth surface. However, in some cases, it may have prominent skin growths. They are called warts. Usually, these are permanent formations that do not change for many years.
The mechanism of wart formation is the growth of the upper layer of the skin. The dimensions of the formations range from 1 mm to several centimeters. This setting depends on the type of formation and its location on the skin. A combination of several warts is often observed. The color of skin rashes is usually fleshy, but they can take on other shades, such as pink or brown.
Medicine classifies warts as benign neoplasms. They do not grow and do not penetrate into the surrounding tissues.
The following codes are assigned to warts in the International Classification of Diseases:
- B07 - viral warts,
- A63. 0 - Venus warts,
- L82 Seborrheic keratoma
Most warts are viral, sexually transmitted couples are venereal, and seborrheic keratomas are age-related warts that are non-infectious.
The following skin lesions should be distinguished from warts:
- nevi (moles),
- calluses,
- Malignant tumors,
- Basal cell carcinoma,
- Wide warts as a result of syphilis.
Some of these formations can be life-threatening. Therefore, if any suspicious growths appear on the body, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Why do warts occur?
Usually, a viral infection is the cause of warts. The process of wart formation is as follows. Human papillomavirus enters skin cells and causes them to divide rapidly. As a result, the skin develops a growth or papilloma. However, there are types of warts that the virus has nothing to do with.
Strictly speaking, papilloma does not always occur on the skin. Often these formations are found on the mucous membranes, inside the bladder, larynx, cervix, etc. Sh. However, warts are usually called only papillomas that appear on the skin.
Warts can be located on any part of the body. However, some species have a favorite place. For example, warts usually form in the groin and anus; Acrocorders recommend skin folds in the upper body.
Human papillomavirus does not multiply outside the body. However, it can last a long time in warm and humid places. That is why people often get it while visiting baths, saunas, swimming pools. But the virus does not live long in the open air - it is neutralized by ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Studies show that about 80% of the world's population is infected with certain types of human papillomavirus. There are two hundred strains of these viruses in total. Some viruses are relatively harmless, some lead to papillomas, and some can even cause malignant tumors. Some strains can be passed from person to person. Consequently, certain types of warts can be contagious. But the transmission of the disease from frogs and toads, as well as from other members of the fauna, is impossible, contrary to popular belief. This is due to the fact that animal papillomaviruses do not multiply in the human body.
You can be infected with a new type of virus through personal contact, shaking hands, sharing household items (e. g. , towels), public places (swimming pools, baths, saunas, transport), small wounds, and sexual contact.
Papilloma virus, which has entered the body, does not always cause disease. Usually, the factors associated with the disease are stress, weakened immunity (for example, due to infectious diseases). At the same time, the virus can remain in the body for several years and wait for the wings.
Varieties of warts
Doctors distinguish several types of warts:
- Normal (vulgar),
- Youth (apartment),
- Drip (warts),
- Senile,
- Thread-like.
Birthmarks (nevi) should be distinguished from these types of warts. Usually, birthmarks do not appear on the surface of the skin and are dark in color, although there are exceptions.
Vulgar warts
These types of warts are found in 70% of cases. It is caused by the papilloma virus. Outwardly, vulgar (normal) papillomas look like small semicircular growths on the surface of the skin. They are usually completely painless. The size of the growths is from a few mm to 1 cm. Their surface is usually uneven, bumpy, 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, normal papillomas can disappear on their own. The peculiarity of these types of papillomas is that they often grow not individually but in groups. You can often find large papillomas around which small ones grow. If you remove the largest (mother) papilloma, then usually the little ones disappear.
Common papilloma can occur at any age. They are often found in school-age children.
Teen warts
This type of papilloma is commonly found in children and adults. But in people of sexual age they can also appear. These papillomas are often referred to as flat papillomas. They account for only 4% of all warts.
They are often found at hand. They can also be noticed 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. Like normal papillomas, they do not pose a significant threat and can disappear on their own. They usually do not cause physical discomfort, but they can worsen the appearance.
Flat papillomas are usually fleshy and stand slightly above the skin surface (about 1-2 mm). They can reach 5 mm in diameter, but they are usually smaller than vulgar. Flattened papillomas can occur near wounds and cuts. Usually, juvenile papillomas have a smooth surface and uneven, albeit well-defined, borders. Due to the lack of a corneal layer 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 corn. However, plantar papillomas have a feature that distinguishes them from corn. If the plantar wart is damaged, it usually bleeds. This phenomenon is not typical for corn. Although on the outside, papillomas on the feet may look like calluses - they are usually severe and keratinized. Their color is usually a dirty gray, dark or dirty yellow-brown tint. Black dots may appear on their surface.
Most often, single plantar warts are found on the feet. But they can also meet in groups as well as grow together. Plantar papillomas grow not only on the outside of the skin but also deeper.
Outwardly, these types of warts may look normal. They usually have a semicircular shape. However, if a person is constantly developing such skin formations, then it can take a flattened shape.
The appearance of papillomas in the foot is less related to age; They can appear in both young and old. These formations can also be observed in children.
Plantar papilloma can cause discomfort and even severe pain while walking. When you step on such a growth, it looks as if you are stepping on a small pebble. Outwardly, warts can sometimes resemble thorns. Therefore, people call these types of papillomas vertebrae.
At rest these formations may cause itching. Like other types of papillomas, plantar warts develop under the influence of the papilloma virus. The virus often occurs on the skin of the foot from the environment. For example, it is not uncommon to catch this virus by visiting a pool without rubber boots. Uncomfortable shoes also contribute to skin damage as they are often found in areas where the shoes rub against the feet. Heavy sweating and inadequate foot hygiene are also contributing factors.
It is not recommended to touch the base of the papilloma with your hands, as this way you can spread the virus to other areas of the skin.
Treatment of plantar warts
Sometimes these types of papillomas can go away on their own. This happens in about half of the cases. But sometimes waiting for this moment takes a long time and not everyone can do it, especially if the education feels painful. If the dislocation of the leg causes severe pain, does not allow walking, then it should be removed. Also, more than 1 cm of education should be removed, removal surgery can be performed only in the doctor's office.
If there is a suspicion that the foot formation belongs to any type of papilloma, the doctor can conduct a number of diagnostic procedures. This includes corneal ablation and analysis, PCR analysis for the presence of the papilloma virus genome. An ultrasound scan is performed to determine the shape and size of the formation. Foot warts require a differential diagnosis from syphilis warts. However, usually no extensive diagnostic measures are taken as it is not difficult to diagnose papilloma of the foot.
Sometimes medications can try to remove leg growth. Suitable for the removal of warts are preparations with salicylic acid, necrotic agents, freezing of aerosols and special plasters. However, removal with medication is usually not a quick procedure. You can quickly get rid of warts on the bottom only with the help of tools available in medical facilities. These can be methods:
- laser,
- Surgical,
- Electrocoagulation,
- Cryodestruction,
- Radio wave.
Any type of procedure has its pros and cons. For example, the surgical method is mainly used for large skin growths because it severely damages 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, similar to cauliflower or cockroaches. The viruses that cause these types of warts are usually sexually transmitted. Also, warts can be observed on the mucous membranes of the anus. Therefore, such warts are often called anogenital or venereal. Rarely, warts are found on the arms, in women under the breasts. Warts on the flesh are pink in color. Sometimes several genital warts can grow together. Also, warts of this species can grow to large sizes. Warts can cause painful sensations during sexual intercourse, during defecation. In case of injury, they may bleed. Women with genital warts also have cervical cancer.
Film warts
These types of warts are very common. Filiform warts, or acrochords, often grow in large groups. Give preference to acrochords for areas with thin skin. This is the area of the elbow, neck, shoulders, eyelids, nose wings. It can occur in the groin area, in women under the mammary glands. They usually do not bother the person and do not hurt, but they can itch.
Outwardly, fibrous warts look like long filaments. However, acrocorders are often found to have a thin slab-shaped stem attached to a thick body, usually spherical or hemispherical. They are also filiform. Such warts are called pendular.
Most of these warts range in size from 1 mm to 5 mm. There are also more than 1 cm chords. Sometimes several threaded warts grow together.
Acrocords are rare in children. They are typical for people over 35 years old. Over the years, their numbers tend to increase. In people over the age of 70, this type of wart is observed in 100%. The tendency to have large numbers of acrocords on the body can also be inherited. Acrocords are often associated with excess weight. In women, they can occur during pregnancy.
Threaded warts have one unpleasant feature. If the fibrous warts are torn, a new one will soon grow in its place. Acrocords rarely move on their own. Their appearance is facilitated by increased sweating, reduced 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, senile keratoma is not caused by human papillomavirus. The exact causes of their origin have not been established. Keratoma is most likely associated with age-related changes in the body. They develop from the base layer of the epidermis, which is why they are often called basal cell papillomas. Although this is not a fairly straightforward name because true papillomas are only caused by viruses. Heredity plays an important role in the formation of these neoplasms. Senile keratoma can often resemble melanoma. Therefore, if they occur, it is necessary to consult a doctor so that he can make a diagnosis. However, senile keratoma usually does not require treatment and does not turn into a malignant tumor.
Outwardly, keratomas resemble pink or yellowish papules 1-2 mm thick. Their size ranges from 2 mm to 3 cm. Sometimes these types of warts reach 4-6 cm. Keratomas have a fatty, easily removable cortex. Their surface is uneven, as if corrugated. With growth, keratomas often become mushroom caps and their color changes to black or dark brown. Their surface becomes solid, they can crack.
Most often, keratomas are located on the neck and chest. It is possible to observe in groups. They appear less frequently on the hands and face. They do not exist on the mucous membranes. Normally, there are no more than 20 keratomas on the body. If a person has a lot of age-related warts, then it is often due to hereditary factors.
Senile keratoma does not disappear by itself. People who have excessive amounts of seborrheic keratoma on the body are advised to increase the amount of vitamin C in the diet to prevent new growth. You should also avoid direct exposure to sunlight, overheating, hypothermia, stress.
Treatment
Most papillomas do not pose a serious threat. However, after an injury, they can hurt, bleeding. After that, there is a risk of developing a malignant tumor. Although in papillomas and keratomas, the risk of malignant transformation is much lower than in molars.
Typically, papillomas are treated by removal (surgical, cold, high-frequency electric current or laser). Therapeutic treatment is usually less effective.
Indications for removal are the pain of skin formation, its large size, bleeding, change in shape, location in an uncomfortable place (for example, on the tip of the finger, on the soles of the feet, on the genitals), aesthetic considerations. Warts are also subject to removal.