Warts are multiple skin growths that appear on the arms, elbows, legs, face and even in the genital area. They are round in shape, protruding above the skin's surface. If mechanically damaged, they will bleed and cause discomfort. On the surface, such formations seem quite harmless, but in fact, their appearance indicates the presence of human papillomavirus in the body.
Doctors' opinion when such tumors appear is that they must be removed as soon as possible. This is the only way to avoid unpleasant consequences and completely eliminate existing cosmetic defects. There are many methods of removing warts, each of which has certain characteristics and indications. Let's find out what methods are used in modern dermatology and how to recognize the presence of warts on the body.
Important!
Information from this article cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment prescription, you should always consult your doctor.
What are warts?
This is a benign, flesh-colored tumor that represents localized proliferation of the epidermis with papules or plaques. Simply put, such formations do not differ or slightly differ from the color of the skin, but rise on the surface and have a characteristic round shape.
Complications of warts include cracking of the surface, growth of affected areas, and participation in the infection process. Additionally, some types of growths are painful. But often, patients do not think about the possible consequences and seek doctor's help for only one reason - the unaesthetic appearance of the tumors and psychological discomfort due to their appearance.
Warts, as a rule, do not degenerate into malignant tumors. However, on the surface they can be confused with certain types of malignancy. Therefore, seeing a doctor when detecting such tumors is a mandatory measure to maintain health.
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The reason appeared
The cause of warts on the body is the presence of papillomavirus (HPV) in the body. One of the symptoms of this infection is mild tumors, often multiple.
According to statistics, up to 90% of the world's population is infected with papillomavirus. More than 100 types of HPV have been identified that can infect the skin and mucous membranes and cause the development of changes characterized by papilloma growth.
Once in the body, papillomavirus infection does not always cause the development of external manifestations. This is only supported by certain factors, including:
- vitamin deficiency;
- bad habits;
- pregnancy;
- Endometriosis, etc. v.
Furthermore, the development of HPV can also occur against the background of a normally functioning immune system. It is worth noting that infection occurs through direct contact with an infected person. The most common methods of transmission are through sexual contact with someone infected with human papillomavirus or transmission from parents to children. Additionally, skin growths (i. e. warts) themselves are contagious. It is also known that viruses can penetrate the basal layer of the epidermis through microtrauma.
It is worth noting that HPV does not always cause warts as it can occur in a latent (hidden) form. In addition, the appearance of the tumor depends on the type of infection that entered the body. Lesions caused by human papillomavirus are so diverse in morphology that only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
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Types of warts
Human papillomavirus can cause the following forms:
- Common, or vulgar (verrucae vulgares). The most common form, more common in preschool children (about 70% of cases). They are growths with rough surfaces up to several millimeters in size. May be yellowish or gray in color. At first, their shade usually matches the skin tone, but then the formations begin to darken. Over time, they can increase in size, making the patient extremely uncomfortable. In addition, there are often cases where cracks appear around the wart. To the touch - rough and dense, covered with keratinized skin on top. The main localization is the fingers and back of the hands. In children, tumors also appear on the knees. Usually, a cluster of many small warts forms around a vulgar wart, and over time the affected areas only increase in size. As a rule, the formations are not painful, but in rare cases they can disappear on their own. But often their removal is necessary to prevent injury. The cause of this type of warts is HPV types 1, 2, 4 and 7. Infection occurs through direct contact with the patient. There are also a number of factors that lead to infection: the presence of small wounds on the skin, recent shaving, increased sweating, excessive pressure on the skin from clothing or shoes. Children are often infected at school, kindergarten or sports facilities. When identifying tumors of this type, it is important to carry out differential diagnosis and exclude the presence of wart skin tuberculosis, keratoacanthoma and some other pathologies.
- Flat fish or juvenile fish (verrucae planae verrucae juvenile). From the names of these tumors it is clear that they appear in adolescence or young adulthood. Their special feature is that they protrude slightly above the surface of the skin, are round in shape, and have a color that matches the shade of the skin. Keratinization is usually absent. The size of the growth is up to 5–8 mm. They can be single or multiple. Located on the face, neck, back of the hands. They may disappear naturally after 1–2 years. Differential diagnosis is made with lichen planus and molluscum contagiosum.
- Plantars (verrucae plantares). A common form, as the name suggests, occurs on the soles of the feet. As a rule, this is the area of \u200b\u200bthe metatarsal, heel or ball of the toe - the areas subject to the greatest pressure and friction. Such growth can reach large sizes - up to 2 cm in diameter. Excessive friction can cause them to crumble and cause injury. They often have clear edges and rough surfaces. Under the keratinized skin layer, black dots often appear - thrombosed capillaries. Color - yellow or brown. The cause of the appearance of such growth is HPV types 1 and 4. The pathological process can be superficial and deep. In the second case, warts cause discomfort and pain when walking, so they should always be removed. Differential diagnosis is made with calluses and fungal skin lesions.
- Genital warts. This form of neoplasm is one of the common manifestations of HPV virus in the genital area. Condylomas are located in the genitals or near the anus, sometimes found in the groin, armpits, near the mammary glands, and in the corners of the mouth. They come in different sizes and look a bit like cauliflower. They are flesh-colored and can be located on thin stalks or broad bases in the form of nodules. Such growths are quite "fragile" so they often bleed. Sexually transmitted. Risk factors include the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, frequent changes in sexual partners, violations of the normal microflora of the vagina, pregnancy, as well as various internal factors(eg, vitamin deficiency). Another characteristic is the simultaneous appearance of multiple genital warts. In men, such formations are often confused with a penile papule collar. In women, the pathology can be confused with micropapillomatosis of the labia.
There are other types of warts that are less common. The classification of formations takes into account the type of virus that caused their appearance, the nature of germination, size and external parameters. For example, A. N. Khlebnikova identifies 8 clinical types of warts. Some researchers identify more options, dividing them into subgroups. Other common types of cancer include:
- Filamentous warts. A thin layer of horn grows on the face: near the nose, mouth, eyes. Usually diagnosed in older patients, they may have a wide or narrow base. Very easy to get injured.
- Buschke-Levenshtein giant warts. These are a separate type of genital warts that initially appear as a cluster of multiple papillomas. As a rule, the growth is located in the area of the inguinal fold or vulva; over time, a widespread lesion is formed with the inclusion of neighboring tissues in the process.
- "Butcher" warts. This is one of the types of warts that appears in people who regularly come into contact with raw fish or meat. They are cauliflower-shaped but flesh-colored tumors.
- Cystic warts. A type of foot tumor that appears as soft nodules with deep fissures. When injured, a yellow-white viscous fluid will appear.
Diagnosis of warts
In most cases, a visual examination and medical history are enough to make the diagnosis. To confirm the conclusion and rule out other pathologies, histological examination of the neoplastic cells can be performed.
If another infection is suspected, your doctor may prescribe additional diagnostic procedures. For example, analysis can be performed to detect antibodies to viruses, CT or MRI.
The treatment of warts in some cases depends on the cause of their appearance, or more precisely, the type of human papilloma virus present. To determine the existing disease, a differential analysis of epithelial cell fragments of the genital tract is performed.
Removal method
The goal of treatment is to remove tumors to prevent recurrence and recurrence. Modern treatment methods are up to 80% effective. Pharmacological treatment of the patient is most often required for genital manifestations of HPV and includes the use of cytotoxic drugs.
To eliminate physical manifestations, physical or chemical methods of destruction are used. More than 30 different treatment methods are described in modern medical literature, so it is difficult to talk about a universal method. Yu. Yu. Stirschneider notes that many of the described techniques have a number of serious disadvantages (for example, incomplete radical removal, risk of developing complications during and after surgery, formation of other cosmetic defectstogether). That is why treatment is chosen individually and only after differential diagnosis.
The most common treatments include:
- Cold destruction. This wart removal method involves exposing the affected areas to liquid nitrogen. Controlled tissue necrosis occurs, resulting in complete removal of the existing tumor. Cryodestructive method can be carried out by application (suitable for warts up to 10 mm in diameter) and aerosol (necessary for growth with deep tissue growth). Removal occurs in one session, if necessary, the procedure is repeated after 1–2 weeks. This technique is used for a small number of warts (on average up to 4–5 particles) and a small treatment area. This procedure is generally painless and effective, but the result largely depends on the professionalism of the doctor.
- Burn electricity. Removes tumors layer by layer by the action of electric current. This technique is considered more effective than the method of cold destruction, but it also has disadvantages: after removal, scars often remain on the skin. Therefore, this method should not be used in cases where a good cosmetic result is important. However, with the help of electric current, large affected areas can be removed.
- Laser destruction. One of the most effective methods for removing warts is laser therapy. This is the preferred method at our Change Aesthetics clinic in St. Petersburg. Removal of growth occurs layer by layer: under the influence of a laser beam, the damaged tissue evaporates until it completely disappears. Exposure times ranged from a few seconds to 2–3 minutes (depending on size and number of growths). This procedure allows you to remove warts, papillomas and warts without invasive effects. Due to the immediate coagulation of tissue under the influence of the laser beam, the risk of secondary infection is eliminated. Therefore, the recovery process is quick and without complications.
- Radio wave therapy. This technique involves the use of electromagnetic waves of a certain frequency. The procedure is performed using a special device (the Surgitron device is often used). During exposure, tissue heating occurs, due to which the formed cells actually evaporate (just like what happens during laser therapy).
- Chemistry. Salicylic patches and lactic-salicylic collision application cannot be called modern methods of treatment, however, in some cases this technique is still used. For example, if there are contraindications for other procedures. Chemical removal is a complex process requiring repeated procedures and preliminary mechanical removal of affected tissues.
It is difficult to clearly say which method of removing warts is better. When choosing a technique, the doctor will take into account the type of formation, their size, number and location.
The patient's concurrent medical history, the presence of chronic pathologies and previously used methods will be taken into account. Studies performed using common treatment methods have shown that laser ablation gives optimal results (76%). According to Yu. Yu. Stirschneider, these figures are higher than for electrocoagulation (56%) and cryodestruction (44%).
Complications after wart removal are extremely rare. As a rule, consequences can occur after you try to remove the growth yourself. In these cases, the patient becomes inflamed, the virus spreads further through the skin or scars form. So if you find a wart or similar growth, don't try to burn it or cut it off yourself.