Some dermatological diseases do not have a significant effect on well-being, do not cause painful or irritating reactions. Their consequences do not go beyond the boundaries of aesthetics, they are characterized as ugly, unattractive, spoiling the appearance. Warty formations on the skin are precisely such dermatological diseases. Flat warts are one of hundreds of varieties that can be attributed to the least problematic forms.
Flat warts are formations on the skin that rise slightly above its surface. They are called flat, as they are a kind of plaque that vaguely resembles a small nettle burn. Such neoplasms are also popularly called youthful, since they very often occur in childhood or adolescence, when hormonal changes are carried out in the body.
As they grow older, they usually disappear on their own and no longer return. Flat warts are located on the face, on the limbs of the body, and, in addition, on the neck of young men or girls. By the way, they arise exclusively on the back of the arms or legs. They are never met on the soles or on the palms.
What are the reasons for their appearance?
The main cause of flat warts is the well-known human papillomavirus, which today infected most of the world's population. The formation of this formation is influenced by 14, 15, and, in addition, type 27 HPV. It is these variations of the virus that lead to the growth of youthful skin in the form of warts.
It is worth noting that the mere fact of infection of the body with this virus does not at all lead to the obligatory appearance of the disease. That is, not all people have warts after infection. Much depends on immunity. In this case, general immunity plays a large role, as well as the local protective forces of the skin of the face, hands, and so on. And the main impetus for the development of this disease is a predisposing factor.
Predisposing factors
For example, such a factor in the appearance of flat warts on the face (photo in the article) in young people can be the beginning of the use of razors, which leads to injuries of the skin. If something like this is observed on the neck, then hygiene rules were most likely ignored. And when the warts appear on the skin of the lower legs, in this case, it is certainly about sweating.
Frequent otolaryngological diseases lead to a general decrease in the whole immunity as a whole, which means that the papilloma virus is activated in the skin. Another important point is that hormones are undergoing hormonal changes in the young adolescent body, which can also cause immunity to decrease. Against the background of these processes, pustular diseases in the form of acne appear on the skin. In addition, there is an excess of sebum, along with excessive sweating and other changes that predispose the body to the development of the papilloma virus in the form of flat warts on the face.
Clinical manifestation
So, on the skin of the face, on the hands or on the neck, people may have flat round or oval growths up to two millimeters high above the surface of the cover. The sizes of warts are usually from one to three and very rarely up to nine millimeters each. The color of the formation can vary from flesh to pinkish. Often the occurrence of flat warts on the hands or on the face is accompanied by skin itching. Very often, numerous neoplasms merge on the skin, thereby forming large groups.
It is important to emphasize once again that flat warts never occur in people on the palms of the hands or on the soles of the feet, they do not occur in the groin. These formations are very rare in people who are over forty years old.
This, as a rule, is a youthful type of wart associated with the onset of hormonal changes in the whole organism. The appearance of this growth is also associated with the first period of activation of the papilloma virus, after which the development of the immune system and defenses against this virus. Usually already in adulthood, this type of wart in people never appears.
How to get rid?
As a rule, flat warts (in the photo) disappear on their own, after a certain time. Sometimes it takes a month or two, and sometimes it takes six months. But it also happens that they need to be treated. Here are the indications when you should be wary and take measures (medication or surgical treatment)
- When flat warts begin to grow rapidly, especially on the face.
- Around other warts begin to appear, which merge into groups.
- In the event that ulceration occurs on the wart and it begins to bleed.
- If the wart has a heterogeneous color.
The basic principles of treatment
First of all, the treatment of this ailment is directed to antiviral drug treatment, to taking immune medications and to removing warts. So, we will consider each of these treatment principles individually:
- As part of antiviral treatment, patients are prescribed drugs in the form of Isoprinosine, Allokina-alpha, and Panavira.
- Immune drugs are prescribed in rare cases. More often they are prescribed by the immunologist after examining the patient. As a rule, drugs in the form of "Polyoxidonium", "Roncoleukin" and "Immunal" are used. Multivitamin preparations can be prescribed, for example, Alphabet along with Pentavit, Hexavit, Complivit, Centrum and others.
- As for removal, a number of techniques are currently being used for treatment, designed to rid a person of papillomas and flat warts. For example, laser radiation is very popular along with radio wave removal and cryodestruction. As part of cryodestruction, warts are cauterized with nitrogen.
Therapy
If flat warts (in the photo in the article) do not increase and do not grow further, then it is believed that they can, in principle, not be touched, but only observed. If they cause cosmetic discomfort to a person, they are removed using a laser by the grinding method or radio waves.
It is important to note that warts on the face are not removed by liquid nitrogen. In addition, to rid the face of this defect, one cannot resort to the use of electrocoagulation. This is due to the fact that the person’s skin on the face is very thin, and immediately after removal by an aggressive method, such as electrocoagulation or the use of liquid nitrogen, a noticeable scar can remain on the skin for life. The use of strong alkalis or acids is inappropriate, since they can also leave scars after application. And if it appears on the face after removal of the flat wart, only plastic surgery will save the appearance.
But is it worth deleting that after a certain time it usually goes away by itself? Doctors recommend refraining from removing flat warts if there is no strict indication for this. It is not recommended to treat such warts on their own, so as not to harm themselves as a result.
Flat warts on the hands
Therapy can be expanded if more aggressive methods are used - such as the use of liquid nitrogen or electrocoagulation. The skin on the hands is not as delicate and thin as on the face. In such areas of the body, scars are usually not visible. All other methods of treating growths on the hands repeat the methods of treatment of warts described above.
You can see how the tumors look in the photo. Treatment of flat warts in children how it goes? About it below.
Treatment in children
All provisions along with the treatment regimens that have been described above for adults are also applicable to children. If a person uses celandine for treatment, then it should be remembered that this is a very poisonous plant. Therefore, in no case should you treat him with a child.
It is forbidden to use aggressive methods for removing flat warts in children under 12 years of age in the form of electrocoagulation and liquid nitrogen. This is due to the fact that in young children the skin is very thin and sensitive not only on the face, but also on the remaining parts of the body. In order not to lead to the appearance of noticeable scars, it is better to refrain from such methods of therapy. The most optimal treatment option for flat warts in children is considered to be the use of an antiviral ointment, for example, Panavira. Also, in children, warts can be removed with a grinding laser.
Alternative treatment methods
The people use the following treatment options to get rid of flat warts on the hands and face:
- Celandine treatment. Fresh celandine breaks down, and a wart is lubricated by the yellow juice released over its entire surface. Such a procedure is repeated every day twice until the growth completely disappears from the face. If there is no fresh celandine, you can attach a gauze soaked in water infusion of dry celandine.
- Garlic treatment. Cut a plate of garlic and apply it to the wart. This should be done twice a day immediately after work, and then before bedtime.
Immunity increase
The appearance of flat warts suggests that a person has reduced immunity, in this connection it is necessary to increase it. The following recipes belong to folk remedies to increase immunity:
- Reception of decoctions of mint, thyme, currant leaves, rosehip berries, cranberries and lingonberries. You should choose to drink one glass of any of the decoctions per day.
- Honey treatment. Honey can be a great helper to increase immunity in the event that a person is not allergic to it.
Prevention
In order to prevent such an unpleasant phenomenon as flat warts in an adult or in a child, the following recommendations must be followed:
- It is very important that everyone follows the rules of hygiene.
- Use only personal hygiene items. Do not wear other people's slippers, clothes, or use towels.
- It is not advisable to wear too tight or too warm clothes. The skin should breathe at any time of the year. And you can not allow the skin to sweat once again.
- It is necessary to regularly strengthen the immune system, as well as lead a healthy lifestyle.
Below are numerous reviews of flat warts, their treatment.
Patient Reviews
About surgical methods of treatment, such as the use of liquid nitrogen or electrocoagulation, people write that they are quite painful procedures. It is noted that the wound heals for a very long time, there are risks of infection. In this regard, it is necessary to regularly treat the damaged area, to monitor its condition until the full recovery.
What other reviews about the treatment of flat warts do patients leave?
Someone, on the contrary, writes that this is not so painful, so there is no need to complain about the procedure. Despite conflicting reviews, people report that surgical techniques to remove flat warts are effective. It is noted that such procedures do not harm the body.
Quite often in the reviews there are complaints about the appearance of scars, regardless of the method of removing the wart. Directly about the electrocoagulation procedure, they say that during its execution there is an unpleasant odor due to cauterization. People write about laser technology that such a procedure is very painful and does not stop the appearance of new warts, it does not guarantee that the growth will not occur again in the same place. On folk methods regarding the use of, for example, garlic or celandine, many write that such anti-wart remedies are absolutely ineffective.
We reviewed treatment methods and reviews of flat warts on the face and hands.