Warts are small growths on the skin of the body or face.Their creation is associated with the action of the human papilloma virus (HPV).There are about a hundred strains of this virus, each of which causes 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 action of the HPV virus.About 70% of the world's population is infected with this virus.Its action starts the pathological process of division of epidermal cells, which results in the appearance of a small growth on the skin, i.e. a wart.
There are different types of warts, which are caused by different strains of the virus.Not all warts are viral in nature;senile growths that appear due to changes in metabolic processes in the body are separately identified.
To get rid of the 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 control will help you in this.
Vulgar warts
Simple, or vulgar, warts are small round growths that do not differ in color from the color of the skin.They are caused by the human papillomavirus.Favorite areas of localization are areas with increased sweating.Vulgar warts are most often found on the hands, feet, back and sides.
From the moment of infection with the virus to the appearance of such growths, it takes about several months.If a person's immunity is strong, the body will defeat the virus on its own, and warts will not appear on the skin.The activation of the pathological process and the creation of unsightly growths occurs against the background of a decrease in general and local immunity.Due to the peculiarity 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 due to excessive sweating of the feet and palms.
Vulgar warts are considered harmless growths.They almost never degenerate into a malignant neoplasm.
Vulgar warts can appear on anyone.Children, adolescents and adults encounter them equally often.You can remove them in several ways:
- cryodestruction;
- laser;
- surgical method;
- Preparations containing alkalis;
- folk remedies.
Large vulgar warts are recommended to be removed in a dermatologist's office, as self-treatment can lead to scarring.
Vulgar warts are the most common type.
Flat nipples
It is very easy to recognize the types of warts yourself from the photo.One of the rare types are flat nipples.They account for no more than 4% of cases of skin growths.
Characteristics of flat nipples:
- diameter not greater than 5 mm;
- slight elevation above the skin;
- irregular shape;
- clear boundaries;
- smooth surface;
- mild pigmentation.
These warts are slightly different in color from healthy skin - they are slightly more pink or brown, which makes them easy to visualize.Another name for flat nipples is juvenile.They appear more often in children and adolescents.Classic locations are the skin of the legs, hands, face.
Young warts are viral in nature and are caused by HPV.They are not prone to degeneration into a malignant neoplasm, therefore they are relatively safe.
Such growths do not pose a health hazard and do not cause other inconveniences other than aesthetic ones.If there are many of them or they are located on open parts of the body, removing the growths will not be difficult.In order to avoid the formation of scars, it is recommended to use cryodestruction, electrocoagulation or laser removal.
Condylomas
For women's health, condylomas and papillomas pose a much more serious threat than for men.
Condylomas are small growths of 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 is sexually transmitted.
Characteristics of condyloma:
- small size and the presence of a thin leg;
- the color does not differ from the shade of the skin or mucous membranes;
- they can merge into large neoplasms;
- they are easily injured.
Condylomas are types of warts that are easy to recognize from photographs.They are most often localized on the external genitalia in women, around the head of the penis and on the shaft of the penis in men.Condylomas affect the perineum, the area around the anus, and in rare cases they are also found in the mouth.
Some strains of the HPV virus can cause the development of condyloma in women on the cervix.This type of growth is very dangerous and causes cervical cancer.Ordinary condylomas that are found on the labia minora or the penis, as a rule, are not classified as oncogenic.
Liquid nitrogen is most often used to remove them.This medicine allows you to get rid of growths without scarring.Removal of warts on the lips can be done with the help of a radio knife.
Tumors on the mucous membranes cannot be removed at home, 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, the vulgar wart is a type of papilloma.These growths can appear on any part of the body, including the mucous membrane.They are a soft ball of uniform structure, which rises 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 the mucous membrane.The most dangerous places where growths are localized:
- urethra;
- larynx;
- anus;
- armpit;
- inguinal folds;
- the soles of the feet.
Papillomas in the urethra cause physical discomfort, because the body perceives them as a potentially dangerous object.They can grow and lead to urethral stricture 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.The growths in the folds of the skin rub hard when walking.This can lead to irritation and infection.
Papillomas are potentially dangerous skin tumors.Only a doctor can accurately determine the risk of oncogenicity.
Injuries and damage to such growths can lead to the development of a malignant process, so papillomas located in inconvenient places, which can be accidentally touched with nails or rubbed with clothes, must be removed.
Papillomas can appear in people of any age and gender.To remove them, the methods used in the treatment of vulgar warts are used.
Keratomas
Common locations for senile keratoma are the back of the hands, face, and neck area;less often they can be found on the trunk.
Keratoma is an outgrowth of the horny layer of the skin.It is a brown spot that rises above the skin.The structure of the stain is quite dense, which is a consequence of keratinization (keratinization) of the upper layer of the epidermis.
The main reasons for the formation of keratoma are the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin and age-related changes in the epidermis.Such neoplasms are not the result of HPV and belong to dermatological disorders associated with aging.Keratomas occur only in people over 50 years of age.
They are considered safe neoplasms, the degree of oncogenicity is very low.Such growths can be located on any open part of the body.
The neoplasm itself is a clear cosmetic defect, so it can be removed.Keratomes should be removed by professional methods - cryodestruction, laser removal, electrocoagulation.Especially 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 old.Most often, women encounter such neoplasms, because their skin is thinner than that of men.Localization of filamentous papillomas:
- the neck;
- armpit;
- face;
- eyelids;
- the area under the mammary glands;
- inguinal folds.
This type of growth is a small elongated 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.
Growths in the form of threads do not pose a health hazard, because they almost never degenerate into malignant neoplasms.The only exceptions are cases of severe growth damage and secondary infection.
It is impossible to remove filamentous papillomas using folk or pharmaceutical drugs.Due to their small size, aggressive exposure to alkalis and acidic agents can lead to the formation of a deep wound that will leave a large scar.To remove these small growths, it is better to give preference to laser, electrocoagulation or liquid nitrogen.
Threaded papillomas often affect the neck and armpits.
Plantar warts
Another manifestation of the HPV virus is plantar warts or spinules.These growths are a flat plaque, similar in appearance to a callus, that appears on the foot.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 healthy epidermis.
Plantar warts grow deep into the skin and hurt when pressed.Both children and adults can encounter them.The spine should be removed by laser, cryodestruction or surgical method.Home remedies are effective only for removing small spines, the size of which does not exceed 2-3 mm in diameter.
Spines cause severe discomfort, but are safe because they do not degenerate into cancer.
A plantar wart is not dangerous, but it causes discomfort when walking.
Diagnosis - which doctor should I contact?
To diagnose and remove warts on the skin of the body and face, you should contact a dermatologist.A visual examination is performed to establish a diagnosis.Examination with a dermatoscope will help to accurately determine the type of growth.
If growths appear on the genitals, consult a gynecologist (for women), a urologist (for men) or a venereologist.To determine the strain of the virus, a PCR analysis of the urogenital swab is required.Based on the results of the examination, the doctor makes a decision on acceptable methods for tumor removal.