Warts are small growths that grow on the skin of the body or face.Their formation is associated with the activity of human papillomavirus (HPV).There are about a hundred strains of this virus, each of which causes the formation of different types of warts.
What are warts?
Even on the most well-groomed and healthy skin, warts can appear - small round bumps that are benign tumors.
Warts are benign growths on the skin of the body that are 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 leads to the appearance of a small tumor on the skin or wart.
There are different types of warts, caused by different strains of viruses.Not all warts are viral;The development of old age appears due to individually determined changes in metabolic processes in the body.
To get rid of growth, you need to understand the reasons for its appearance.The following reminder about the types of warts on the body, their characteristics and methods of fighting them will help with this.
Vulgar warts
Simple or vulgar warts are small round growths that do not differ in color from the skin color.They arise due to the activity of human papillomavirus.Favorite localization areas are areas with a lot of sweat.Vulgar warts are commonly located on the hands, feet, back, and sides.
It takes about several months from the time of infection with the virus until such tumors appear.If a person's immunity is strong, the body will defeat the virus on its own and warts will not appear on the skin.Activation of the pathological process and the formation of unaesthetic tumors occurs against the background of a decrease in general and local immunity.Due to the peculiarities of the location of raw warts, this process often occurs due to reduced 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 degenerate into malignant tumors.
Vulgar warts can appear in anyone.Children, teenagers and adults encounter them equally often.You can remove them in several ways:
- cold destruction;
- laser;
- surgical methods;
- preparations containing alkaline substances;
- folk medicine.
Large rough warts should be removed at a dermatologist's office because self-treatment can lead to scarring.
Vulgar warts are the most common type.
Flat warts
It is quite easy to recognize the types of warts from a photo.One of the rare types is flat warts.They account for no more than 4% of skin developments.
Characteristics of flat warts:
- diameter not more than 5 mm;
- slight elevation on the skin;
- irregular shape;
- clear boundaries;
- smooth surface;
- mild pigmentation.
These warts are a slightly different color than healthy skin - they are a little more pink or brown, making it easier to visualize.The second name for flat warts is juvenile.They appear more often in children and adolescents.Typical locations are the skin of the feet, hands, and face.
Adolescent warts are viral in nature and are caused by the HPV virus.They do not easily degenerate into malignant tumors so they are relatively safe.
Such growth does not pose a health hazard and does not cause discomfort other than as an aesthetic problem.If there are many or they are located on exposed areas of the body, removing the growth will not be difficult.To avoid scar formation, cold destruction, electrocautery or laser removal should be used.
warts
For women's health, warts and papillomas pose a much more serious threat than for men.
Condylomas are small papillary tumors that affect the external genitalia in women and men.These growths are contagious;The strain of HPV virus that causes the appearance of such warts is sexually transmitted.
Characteristics of warts:
- small size and presence of thin legs;
- color does not differ from the color of the skin or mucous membranes;
- can merge into large tumors;
- vulnerable.
Condylomas are warts that can be easily recognized through photos.Usually they are concentrated in 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, the mouth.
Some strains of the HPV virus can cause the development of warts in women on the cervix.This type of growth is dangerous and causes cervical cancer.As a rule, common tumors located on the labia minora or penis are not classified as cancerous.
Liquid nitrogen is often used to remove them.This remedy allows you to get rid of growths without leaving scars.Removal of warts on the labia can be done with a radio scalpel.
At home, tumors on the mucous membrane cannot be removed because 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, vulgar warts are one of the types of papillomas.These growths can appear on any part of the body, including mucous membranes.They are a soft ball of uniform structure, raised above the skin thanks to a small stem.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 growth is localized:
- urethra;
- larynx;
- anus;
- armpit;
- inguinal fold;
- soles of feet.
Urethral papillomas cause physical discomfort because the body perceives them as a potentially dangerous object.They can grow and lead to urethral strictures in men, requiring removal.
Growths in the larynx can cause persistent throat irritation and voice changes.Anal papillomas are vulnerable and can become inflamed.Tumors are located in folds of skin that rub vigorously when walking.This can lead to irritation and infection.
Papillomas are potentially dangerous skin tumors.Only a doctor can accurately determine the risk of cancer.
Trauma and damage to such growth can lead to the development of a malignant process, therefore, papillomas located in inconvenient places, which can accidentally touch the nail or be rubbed by clothes, must be removed.
Papillomas can appear in people of all ages and genders.To get rid of them, vulgar wart treatment methods are used.
Keratoma
Common locations of senile keratosis 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 raised brown spot on the skin.The structure of the spots is quite dense, caused by keratinization of the upper layer of the epidermis.
The main reasons for the development of keratomas are the effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin and age-related changes in the epidermis.Such tumors are not a consequence of HPV and belong to age-related dermatological disorders.Keratomas only appear in people over 50 years old.
They are considered safe tumors, with very low levels of carcinogenicity.Such growths can be located on any exposed area of the body.
The tumor itself is an obvious cosmetic defect so it can be removed.Keratomas should be removed by professional methods - cold destruction, laser removal, electrocautery.Particularly large tumors are removed by surgical excision.
Fibrous papilloma
There are several types of warts that develop on the body;Filamentous papillomas are one of the most common types of warts.They appear in people over 40 years old.Usually, women experience such tumors because their skin is thinner than men's.Locating fibrous papillomas:
- neck;
- armpit;
- face;
- eyelid;
- submammary area;
- inguinal fold.
This type of growth is a small elongated papilla raised on the skin.The size of the papillae is very small - no more than 1 mm in diameter and a few millimeters long.
Thread-like growths do not pose a health risk because they almost never degenerate into malignant tumors.The only exceptions are cases of severely damaged growth and secondary infections.
Fibrous papillomas cannot be eliminated with folk remedies or pharmaceuticals.Due to their small size, strong exposure to alkalis and acids can lead to the formation of deep wounds, on which a large scar will be left.To remove these small tumors, it is better to give preference to laser, electrocautery or liquid nitrogen.
Fibrous papillomas commonly affect the neck and armpits.
Foot warts
Another manifestation of the HPV virus is warts on the soles of the feet, also known as papillae.These growths are flat plaques, similar in appearance to calluses, that appear on the feet.The peculiarity of such a wart is that it penetrates deep under 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 are painful when pressed.Both children and adults can encounter them.The spine should be removed by laser, cryosurgery, or surgery.Home remedies are effective only in removing small spines, the size of which does not exceed 2-3 mm in diameter.
The spines cause serious discomfort but are safe because they do not degenerate into cancer.
Although warts on the soles of the feet are not dangerous, 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.For diagnosis, a visual examination is performed.Examination with a dermoscope will help accurately determine the type of growth.
If lumps appear in the genitals, you should contact a gynecologist (for women), a urologist (for men) or a vein specialist.PCR analysis of urogenital smears is required to determine the virus strain.Based on the results of the examination, the doctor makes a decision on acceptable methods for removing the tumor.