In childhood, many of us were told that warts would appear if we took a frog in our hands. Allegedly, these nasty growths are the result of bowel movements of amphibians that have fallen on the skin. In fact, this is a myth, and the reason is completely different. So, where do the warts on the body come from and how to treat them? Further in the article we tried to provide detailed information on this topic.
What causes the appearance of warts
A tumorous formation on the skin that looks like it is filled with liquid, does not itch, does not fester, and, in principle, does not bother anything - this is a wart. Where does this trouble come from?
The reason for the appearance of the described pimples is the papilloma virus, known to all. Unfortunately, no one is safe from him, and he is present in the human body very often. You can become infected by contacting the carrier of the virus: a person or an animal. So there’s still some truth in the stories of our grandmothers about harmful frogs, but very, very miserable.
How the virus "works"
Why suddenly, for no reason, a wart jumps up? Where the growth comes from, it becomes clear if you study the medical literature. And modern science gives the following explanations: the papilloma virus is very easily transmitted from the infected organism to a healthy one. For this, direct physical contact and the presence of damage to the skin are enough: abrasions, scratches, etc.
Penetrating into the body, the papilloma enters the bloodstream, causing a large influx of it to the place through which the infection occurred. And as a result, a wart forms here. Its occurrence can happen lightning fast: literally only the virus has penetrated - and immediately the result. Or weeks and even months can pass before the appearance of growths.
Who is at risk?
So, the source of the appearance of warts is found. This is the papilloma virus. But why do they appear to someone, and someone bypasses the attack? After all, the named virus lies in wait at every step and, as doctors say, most people have it. The virus can sit until the end of life in the body, and without letting itself be known, but can turn into various unpleasant consequences. One of them is the notorious wart. Where does it come from and what provokes its appearance?
As you know, most of our health problems are poor immunity. It is usually reduced in children and adolescents, which, therefore, become the most likely victims of warts. This group can also include pregnant women and people who have had serious illnesses.
As for the infection process itself, the papilloma loves heat and moisture. Therefore, picking it up is more likely for those who suffer from excessive sweating.
About types of warts
The causes of the appearance and treatment of warts cannot be considered without touching upon the question of the types of these neoplasms. Doctors classify warts based on their external characteristics, the provocative virus and the location.
The following types are distinguished:
- Common warts. They are caused by the papilloma virus verruca vulgaris and are most common. About seventy percent of those suffering from this problem have this particular type of wart. The growths are deployed, as a rule, on the upper limbs. Therefore, those who are wondering where the warts on the hands come from are just in this section. Verruca vulgaris is to blame! In general, the upper extremities are leading in terms of the appearance of nasty neoplasms also because it is easiest to get infected through the hands. We contact with other people, shaking hands with them, touching them, etc. Accordingly, it becomes clear where the warts on the finger come from . This type of growths is usually round in shape, their surface is rough, dimensions are 3-10 mm. The back of the palm and fingers are the main places of localization. Sometimes ordinary warts may also appear on the face or neck.
- Plantar warts are much less common. They account for only five percent of cases. Those who are interested in where the warts on the legs come from, it will be useful to find out that the cause in this case is the virus verruca plantaris. The main place of its dislocation is the heels and the so-called metatarsal region. In appearance, these warts resemble corns. They greatly degrade the quality of life, because they interfere with walking. They often grow into the skin, because of which their treatment becomes problematic. At risk are fans of tight shoes. They definitely need to be on the alert and watch out for a heel wart. Where it comes from, we hope, is already clear.
- Flat warts are caused by the verruca plana virus. Their percentage is 4.5. Most often, they overtake adolescents and children. They usually grow on the face or on the inside of the hand. They are flat, freckle-like spots with a diameter of up to 3 millimeters. The standard colors are red, flesh, brown. This type of wart is better not to damage, otherwise there is a risk of their rapid spread to other parts of the skin.
- Genital warts - provoked by the papilloma virus condyloma acuminata, overtake one percent of people. At risk are people who have an active sex life and do not have a permanent partner. Only transmitted sexually. Their early sexual experience, smoking and taking hormonal contraceptives also contribute to their appearance.
Doubles
Often, a wart is confused with other abnormalities in the body - this is why it is so important not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor.
Warts on the feet are easily confused, for example, with corns and calluses, which go away on their own. It is much worse if such serious diseases as seborrheic ketarosis, molluscum contagiosum, cell carcinoma, etc., became the cause of the growth, and a person thinks that he has a commonplace wart and remains without treatment.
To treat or not to treat?
There is a common belief that warts should not be treated. And scientists confirm: indeed, there are types of growths that pass on their own. The period can be different - from four to six months to three or more years.
If the wart does not interfere with life and does not spoil the appearance, in principle, you can wait and check whether it belongs to such a self-destructing species. The main thing in this case is not to touch the growth: do not tear, do not scratch, do not cauterize.
In other cases (when a wart impairs the quality of life, disfigures appearance) treatment is necessary.
When is a doctor necessary?
There are situations when it is impossible to postpone a trip to the doctor in any case. These include the following:
- the wart has changed color or shape;
- initially its color is heterogeneous;
- the growth has fuzzy borders;
- the wart succumbed to injury;
- pain occurs at the site of localization of the wart;
- the wart is bleeding;
- warts multiply rapidly;
- neoplasm appeared on the genitals.
Why are warts dangerous?
Many who are interested in what a wart is, where it comes from and how it is treated, are concerned about the question of whether its appearance is dangerous.
In most cases, there is no particular danger, but there are exceptions. With weakened immunity and the presence of other factors, papilloma in the human body can progress. And then warts turn first into polyps, and then into malignant formations.
Therefore, it is very important to monitor the condition of warts, maintain a healthy lifestyle and strengthen immunity in every way.
Folk methods of dealing with warts
The vast majority of people do not want to live with growths on the skin and try to fight them. In this regard, traditional medicine has been very successful. There are many non-drug methods for eliminating warts. Among the most popular are the following:
- Freshly squeezed onion juice is applied to the wart two to three times a day until it disappears completely.
- Apple juice has a similar effect (it does not matter - fresh fruit or sour). Apply the product within ten days.
- Raw potatoes with a peel are grated and used as compresses. The dressing should be changed several times a day. After 7 days, only a memory will remain of the warts.
- A clove of garlic is cut in half and applied with a notched side to the neoplasm (as shown in the photograph posted in the article).
- The ammonia has a healing effect - they wipe the warts.
- Celandine juice eliminates warts well - the stem should be cut off immediately before the procedure.
- Rowan fruits are chopped and applied to the wart - the dressing should be changed every day.
- A drop of acetic acid is applied to the growth using a pipette - repeat the procedure every day once until the wart disappears.
Elimination of warts with medication
Those who do not trust folk methods and are not ready for cardinal medical methods to eliminate warts can be advised to remove growths with the help of medicines. These include salicylic acid based products. They are safe, so that treatment can be carried out independently.
Lubricating the warts with Solcoderm, Podophyllin, Condilin and similar drugs, you can count on a quick fix.
Cardinal decisions
But even faster are the modern methods that are widely used today in medical centers. Whatever the reasons for the appearance of warts, you can eliminate the growths with:
- a laser;
- freezing (cryodestruction);
- chemical exposure (rarely used, because it is fraught with burns);
- X-ray therapy;
- electrocoagulation.
A little about the pros and cons of each of these methods:
- Cryodestruction (destruction of warts with liquid nitrogen). Advantages of the method: after carrying out there are no scars and scars on the body, the relative cheapness of the procedure. Cons: cryodestruction is quite painful, sometimes after the procedure blisters appear on the skin, which subsequently form new warts. The need to visit a doctor repeatedly (once a week).
- Surgical intervention is sometimes necessary. They resort to it in cases where the wart is very large, or there is a large accumulation of small growths. The main plus of the surgical method, as well as electrocoagulation and the use of a laser, is that these procedures are performed under local anesthesia and do not cause pain. The disadvantages of these methods: scars develop at the site of removal, a difficult postoperative period, frequent relapses.
- X-ray therapy. Pros: the skin is not damaged, the process is completely painless. The main disadvantage is that the procedure is required several times.
Thus, the reader is now aware of the causes and treatment of warts. Summarizing all that has been written, it should be emphasized once again that it is best to show the neoplasm to the doctor before starting a fight with him. The specialist will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment, the form of which depends on many individual factors. Independent struggle can lead to completely unpredictable consequences. Therefore, it is better not to self-medicate, but to consult a specialist.