Sometimes parents may notice unusual growths on the body of a child. As a rule, this is how warts appear. They are small, rather loose, colorless growths.
A favorite place for warts are the lower extremities. Why warts appear and how to deal with them, we will learn in this article.
Содержание:
Why, why do growths appear?
The growth of warts is associated with the penetration of the human papillomavirus (HPV) into the body. At the slightest damage to the skin (scratch, microcrack, cut), the child risks becoming infected with this virus.
The virus is easily transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person through personal contact, the use of household items. Contact with an infected person does not guarantee transmission of the virus. A person with strong immunity can avoid papillomatosis.
Thus, it is precisely the underdevelopment of immunity and an active lifestyle that leads to bruises and cuts that explains such a frequent appearance of warts in children. It is known that in children, warts account for about 33% of all dermatological problems.
The main factors of HPV activation in a child include:
- Weakened immunity, which is accompanied by frequent colds.
- Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
- Swimming pool visit.
- Frequent stress and overwork.
It is easy to pick up papilloma and in poor skin condition. The virus actively spreads in the cells of the damaged epithelium. Most often, HPV appears in children with severe allergic reactions, excessive sweating. Also read how a plantar wart is trimmed in a child , symptoms and treatment.
Varieties of growths that occur in a child
There are 4 main types of warts: common, plantar, filiform and flat. They differ in external signs and symptoms.
ordinary
More than 70% of all warts in children are common warts.
They are a dense, rounded formation with uneven contours. Their size, as a rule, does not exceed a few millimeters, and therefore they tend to merge with each other, forming large foci.
Such warts often appear in places where the skin is often injured, for example, in places with a hangnail, or in children who bite their nails. The main place of occurrence of common warts are the fingers, the back of the palms.
flat
Such warts do not have a specific localization, but in children they most often appear on the face. Small and rather smooth to the touch. Usually located in groups. The color varies from pink to light brown.
Often a flat wart can be confused with a mole. However, the wart is always much lighter than the mole, and its surface is rough. At the same time, moles cannot accumulate in groups, which is characteristic of warts.
Filiform
They are the rarest type of warts. They are finger-shaped and flesh-colored. They are localized, as a rule, in the mouth, nose, eyes and neck. They tend to spread rapidly.
plantar
As the name implies, plantar warts appear on the feet. Warts have clear contours and are round or oval formations. The size usually does not exceed two centimeters.
Such warts slightly rise above the skin (by 1-2 millimeters). Pale pink color practically does not distinguish them from the skin. Over time, the surface of the warts becomes rough.
Warts rarely accumulate in groups and, as a rule, appear in a single form. Due to constant pressure, warts become callus-like over time and are difficult to treat.
Signs and locations
Warts can appear in completely unexpected places. Consider the main parts of the body on which warts occur.
On hands
There are two types of warts on the hands : juvenile and seborrheic.
Juvenile warts appear in children and adolescents. They are small neoplasms with a flat surface. At the beginning of growth, such warts are barely noticeable.
Seborrheic warts affect adults over forty years of age. They are large in size and dark in color (from brown to black). Their surface is scaly, and the contours are uneven.
On foot
Warts on the soles of the feet, according to scientists, are caused by HPV types 1-4. Due to regular injury, warts cause serious problems for the patient, pain during movement.
The appearance of warts on the foot can be triggered by:
- damage to the skin on the foot;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes, leading to skin injury;
- foot deformity (osteoarthritis, flat feet, arthritis of the foot joints);
- dry skin on the legs.
On the back
Warts on the back are also a type of seborrheic wart and affect people over 40 years of age. These are benign neoplasms.
They may have different shapes and sizes. Immediately after the appearance of their color is almost no different from the flesh. Over time, these flat warts darken and turn brown or burgundy, they show black blotches.
On the chest and abdomen
This localization of warts is also characteristic of older people. Papillomas on the abdomen can be of different sizes and types.
The common wart is common. It has flesh color, round shape and good elasticity. One of the reasons for the appearance of papilloma on the abdomen is a weakened immune system. Including lack of vitamins and minerals.
On the face
The appearance of warts on the face is a serious cosmetic defect and causes a lot of inconvenience, especially for females.
The reason for the appearance of such warts is a classic one, that is, a weakened immune system. It is worth noting that warts on the face often appear in men – due to skin injury during shaving.
How HPV infection occurs
As we noted above, the main cause of warts is infection with the human papillomavirus. The virus can be transmitted in a variety of ways.
It is transmitted sexually, through the use of personal hygiene items, through contact with infected skin. The chance of catching the virus increases when visiting a bathhouse, pool. Provokes the spread of the virus in such cases, high humidity and heat.
The provoking factors for the activation of the virus are:
- decreased immunity;
- hormonal changes in the body (including pregnancy);
- chronic diseases;
- Unhealthy Lifestyle;
- promiscuity.
Why are neoplasms dangerous in a child?
In general, the wart is a benign formation and does not pose a threat to health. However, any benign tumor may be prone to malignancy. In this case, parents should pay attention to the following factors:
- Injury . A complication can be provoked by permanent injury to the wart due to friction on clothes and shoes.
- Bleeding . A bleeding wart should alert parents. If the wart bleeds, it is recommended to remove it.
- Discomfort. Usually warts cause purely cosmetic inconvenience. If the wart begins to cause physical discomfort (whining, itching), the child should be shown to the doctor.
- Modification . If over time the wart changes color, size, shape, then you should think about contacting a doctor.
Separately, it is necessary to recall the dangers of self-treatment. It is safer and easier to remove a wart , reducing the likelihood of complications to zero.
Should it be output?
In more than 50% of childhood warts go away without any treatment. Usually the process of self-healing occurs within 6 months. According to experts, the life cycle of the virus is limited and is about 2 years. In connection with such statistics, often doctors prefer not to remove warts, but to observe them in case of a long course.
Another reason for the reluctance of doctors to resort to radical methods is the fact that children who once encountered warts have an increased chance of getting them again. Thus, treatment may be meaningless.
However, it is necessary to resort to the removal of warts if the wart is located at the site of regular injury, and also if it bothers the child.
Which doctor should be consulted?
Warts are treated by a dermatologist. However, he does not always resort to radical methods of treatment. Instead of removing the wart, the doctor may suggest a conservative method of dealing with HPV – strengthening the immune system. This method includes taking vitamin complexes and minerals, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, moderate exercise.
Diagnostics
Usually the diagnosis is made on the basis of external signs and complaints of the patient. However, warts should be differentiated from a number of clinically similar diseases, including lichen planus and verrucous skin tuberculosis.
In some cases, in particular if a malignant process is suspected, the doctor may prescribe a biopsy followed by histology (surgical removal of the material followed by examination of its cells for the presence of oncopathology). Also, the doctor may prescribe a blood test for the presence of different types of HPV in the patient’s body.
Features of treatment
Treatment depends on the type of papilloma, its location and a number of other factors. Below we will consider the main methods of treatment.
Preparations for internal and external use
Conservative treatment usually includes the use of oral immunomodulators, antiviral drugs, vitamin complexes.
Local preparations are also prescribed – ointments, gels, sprays (Tebrofen, Fluorouracil ointment). Salicylic acid is also used for topical treatment. It can be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription, it is available in the form of an alcohol solution, ointment, paste or patch.
Salicylic acid should be applied daily, before application, the wart should be soaked in warm water for 15-20 minutes. Between treatments, you should carefully clean off dead skin from the surface of the wart.
Special patches are also used in the treatment: Salicylic, Salipod . To do this, cut out a small piece, put it on the papilloma, and glue it on top with the usual one. Change twice a day. The procedure is performed within two weeks.
Hardware methods of therapy
Hardware therapy methods are radical treatment. The main methods are the following procedures.
Electric removal
This method is attractive in that it leaves almost no scars, there is no bleeding when using it, and with a small amount of formation, it is removed along with the root.
Of the minuses: the method is not suitable for removing large, old, deep formations. A good result can be obtained only with a fresh, superficial, slightly overgrown wart.
laser
Laser removal is preferred from a cosmetic point of view. This procedure leaves no traces. Moreover, the doctor can easily regulate the degree and depth of exposure to the skin.
Laser removal does not take much time, is not painful, and does not require a long recovery. The procedure does not lead to the development of relapses of the disease.
Freezing
Liquid nitrogen treatment at an attractively low price. The procedure leaves no scars. It is painless and takes less than a minute to complete.
Among the shortcomings, it should be noted the presence of an injured area, which should be protected from exposure to water during the healing process.
Even an experienced doctor is faced with the difficulty of regulating the depth of exposure to the wart: if the penetration is too deep, a scar may remain, but if the penetration is insufficient, a relapse may occur.
Folk remedies
The people use the following methods of treating warts.
- Onion with acetic acid. The onion is cut and poured with vinegar. The real half is applied to the wart, tied and left for some time (for example, overnight).
- Flour with vinegar . Acetic acid 70% is mixed with flour. The resulting mixture is applied to the wart. Leave for a while and then wash off.
- Decoction of wormwood. Wormwood grass should be poured with boiling water. Leave for a couple of hours and strain. Lotions are made 3-4 times a day.
- Soda . To dry and fight the virus itself, baths and compresses with the addition of baking soda are used.
Preventive actions
The main preventive measures in the fight against papillomas should be aimed at strengthening immunity. You should pay attention to the lifestyle of the child.
In particular, on the regime of the day, sufficient sleep. You should not overload the child with excessive activities. Moderate exercise and a balanced diet are beneficial. Taking vitamins will help strengthen the immune system.
Warts do not pose a threat to health, but cause significant discomfort to their owners. Strengthening the immune system and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help protect yourself from an unpleasant virus.
