Today we will talk about what types of warts exist, as well as for what reasons they appear. In addition, you will learn about what preventive measures should be followed to protect yourself from skin diseases.
General Information About Warts
Before presenting to your attention the main types of warts, it should be told what such formations are.
Warts are called rounded elevations of the skin, which were formed due to the intensive growth of the surface layers of the epithelium, as well as the papillary layer underneath.
Thus, they represent benign neoplasms of the skin that arise as a result of their infection with the human papillomavirus.
Appearance
The appearance of warts on the face, neck, fingers and other parts of the body can be different. Such neoplasms have different sizes (for example, from 1-3 mm to 16 mm). It depends not only on the variety of skin elevation, but also on the place of its formation.
It should also be noted that such types of warts are often found, which are a fusion of several neoplasms. As a rule, they are large in hemispherical or conical shape with a wide base.
At the beginning of their development, such elevations have the same color as the skin. But over time, they become brown and even black. Although in some cases they owe a dark color to dirt, which adheres quite easily to the rough surface of the skin.
The main types of warts on the human body
Currently, 4 types of skin neoplasms are distinguished. Depending on the location, as well as other features, they have different sizes, shapes, etc.
Before proceeding with the treatment of such warts, it is necessary to identify their variety, as well as the cause of the appearance. Moreover, only the attending physician should do this.
Simple or ordinary
Such formations are keratinized papules of high density and a diameter of 1 to 7 mm. Their favorite places are the back surfaces of the hands. In most cases, they disappear on their own, without medical intervention. As a rule, this happens within 2 years.
These types of warts in children and adolescents are very common. At the beginning of development, they have a flesh color, and then become grayish or brown. A characteristic feature of such an education is that a “daughter” may appear next to the “maternal” elevation.
Plantar wart
Types of warts on the feet, or rather on the feet, are called plantar. They belong to varieties of ordinary formations. Some experts call them "shipitsa".
They are located on the skin of the foot and represent a dense spike, which can be painful and also interfere with walking.
Most often, such elevations are formed on heavily sweating legs in places of pressure on shoes. At first, the neoplasm has a small size and a shiny surface. Subsequently, a keratinized plaque or papule acquires a yellowish-gray color with an uneven and rough surface.
Plantar formation is usually solitary. Although sometimes 3-6 warts are found on the same foot. This occurs as a result of the fusion of smaller elements.
In rare cases, such elevations cause temporary disability of a person.
Youthful or flat
Such types of warts (the photo is presented in this article) have clearly defined forms with a smooth surface. As a rule, they rise above the skin by 1-2 mm and have a diameter of up to 0.5 cm.
The very name of this neoplasm suggests that most often it occurs in children and adolescents.
Juvenile warts have round or irregular shapes in the form of flat nodules. Very often they are located on the legs, back of the hands and face skin. The color of such elevations is light brown, flesh or pink.
The appearance of flat formations contributes to the irritation of the skin (for example, as a result of cuts, scratches and other things).
Genital formations or condylomas
This is perhaps the most unpleasant type of wart. It is a tiny skin growth of pink color. Such nodules often merge with each other and form a papillary proliferation, which has a soft consistency. In this case, condyloma has a base in the form of a leg of a reddish or flesh-colored color.
Where are these species most commonly found? Genital warts are especially unpleasant because in most cases they appear on the female and male genitals.
Experts say that such formations can be transmitted sexually, especially if there are microtrauma or fissures in the inguinal areas of the partners or on their genitals.
If condylomas are not removed, then they can grow to very large sizes and cause significant damage to human health.
Very often, pointed formations indicate the development of other infectious diseases of the genital organs. According to medical practice, this type of wart is formed in those representatives of the weaker sex who are at risk of developing cervical cancer.
Keratomas or so-called senile warts
The mentioned types of warts are most often manifested in the elderly. The following names may be synonymous with such a benign skin tumor : seborrheic wart, seborrheic keratosis, and basal cell papilloma.
These formations develop from the epidermis. The reasons for their origin are still unknown. However, experts believe that such a lesion is formed from cells of the basal layers of the epidermis or keratinocytes located on the surface of the hair follicle. It should also be noted that keratomas are not associated with the human papillomavirus .
Seborrheic keratosis is multiple. Usually it is located on the chest, as well as the neck, face, rear of the hands and extensor of the forearm. We can not say that such types of warts on the head are more common than others.
Keratomas never affect the mucous membranes. Their number does not exceed 20 pieces, and the diameter varies from 0.2 to 3 cm (sometimes it can reach 4-6 cm).
In patients with multiple seborrheic keratosis, a positive family history is noted. This is a reflection of a hereditary predisposition.
What do keratomas look like?
The clinical picture of senile warts depends on their location and timing of development. Early formations are flat. They appear in the form of small spots or papules, which seem to stick to the skin, have visible borders, as well as yellow or pink color, a corrugated surface and easily removable greasy crusts.
Over time, these types of warts (photo keratomas can be seen from above) become dense, as well as mottled cracks.
According to experts, senile warts develop very slowly (sometimes over several decades). However, they never undergo malignant transformation.
Reasons for the appearance
The reasons for the appearance of various types of skin formations may be the following factors:
- personal contact with a person who has skin elevations;
- the use of things and household items that belong to the patient (for example, a towel, clothes, dishes, etc.);
- the use of tools unprocessed by an antiseptic for manicure or pedicure;
- spending time together with a sick person in a bath, sauna or pool;
- sexual contact with an infected partner;
- wearing very tight shoes;
- excessive sweating of the legs.
It should also be noted that the most favorable condition for the development of warts is a weak human immunity, as well as stress, malnutrition and lack of sleep.
Preventative measures
We present some recommendations for the prevention of the appearance of all types of warts:
- strict observance of personal hygiene;
- treatment of wounds or cuts on the skin with green or iodine;
- lack of stress;
- normalization of nutrition;
- the presence of the same sexual partner.
In addition to the above, it should:
- when in contact with an infected person, wash your hands well with soap and limit the use of common household items;
- when working with chemicals use gloves;
- wear only loose and comfortable shoes made of natural materials.
How to treat?
Now you know what warts are, how they look, why they appear and how to protect yourself from them. It remains only to find out what measures should be taken if you already have such education.
Treatment of warts begins with safe and inexpensive methods, most often it is a traditional medicine. Unfortunately, not all of them are effective. Therefore, if simple methods do not help, they immediately proceed to a more expensive and aggressive intervention.
There are several medical ways to get rid of skin diseases. The most correct solution is to contact a dermatologist. After examination, such a specialist usually prescribes drugs that increase immunity and calm the nerves. Also, the doctor may advise taking vitamin complexes.
If you decide to get rid of warts by radical methods, then only the doctor is able to correctly determine which of the existing methods is most suitable for you (cryodestruction, electrocoagulation, laser coagulation, surgical excision, chemical methods).
Folk remedies
In addition to traditional medicine, folk remedies are also used to eliminate all types of warts.
Present the most effective recipes right now:
- Lubricate the growth with infusion of wormwood daily.
- Every day, apply 2 or 3 times to the formation of raw garlic.
- Squeeze the juice from dandelion or celandine. Lubricate the wart with them daily. The duration of therapy is about 3 weeks.
- Some types of moles and warts are removed using tea tree oil. They should only lubricate the formation several times a day.
- Soak raw onions in vinegar essence, and then tie it to the growth and leave it overnight.
- Every day, lubricate the neoplasm with juice from sour apples or lemon.
- Mix horseradish juice with salt and use it for compresses.