Warts: Types, Symptoms, Dangers, Treatments

Warts are skin growths in the form of nodules or nipples. It is the most common skin disease, affecting more than 90% of the world's population. Warts can appear on anyone, at any age, and on almost any area of skin, from the face to the feet. The disease is often contagious and it all depends on the person's immune system.

What causes warts

It is widely believed that touching a frog can cause warts to appear. This is an illusion. The causative agent of the disease that causes warts is human papillomavirus infection. According to statistics, this infection causes about 20% of cancers.The risk of HPV infection is significantly increased:

• When using other people’s personal hygiene products and commonly used items;
• In public places (swimming pools, bathhouses, etc. ), especially when walking barefoot;
• If the skin is injured;
• Increased sweating of hands and feet;
• Contact with an infected person (handshake, sexual contact, etc. );
• Walking in tight, uncomfortable shoes can cause the skin on your feet to rub;
• When using non-sterile instruments (in beauty salons, etc. ).

Are warts always dangerous?

Most warts are completely harmless and should theoretically disappear within a few weeks or up to a month. In this case, patients are more likely to worry about serious cosmetic imperfections, which can cause psychological discomfort and interfere with a complete lifestyle.Warts are usually painless unless they occur on the soles of the feet or other areas of the body that are susceptible to shock or constant contact. However, there are also cases where the affected area may experience itching and discomfort.

How to Identify Warts: Signs and Symptoms

Inexperienced people may confuse warts with other skin growths, such as moles, calluses, and melanoma.The main differences between warts and moles:

• Moles are dark or black, while warts are light-colored;
• Warts grow closely together with the skin, moles are separate structures, as if glued to the body;
• Moles feel soft and smooth, while warts feel hard, hard and rough.

It's also easy to differentiate between warts and calluses. There will be a painful sensation when the growth is pressed, and if it peels off, there will be signs of bleeding underneath. Underneath the callus is new, soft skin.You can tell the difference between warts and melanoma by their color and shape. This dangerous disease is characterized by uneven red and black tones, proliferation and uneven contours.It is not difficult for a dermatologist to make a correct diagnosis through visual inspection. But a good expert won't settle for a simple inspection. He will definitely use a special magnifying device - a dermoscope. If a pathogenic process is suspected, scraping off the surface layer is required. If you have anogenital warts (located around the anus and on the genitals), you'll need to consult a gynecologist or proctologist.

What is the structure of benign tumors?

These growths are composed of cells that partially retain their original function and are capable of growing slowly. Their structure is similar to the tissue from which they originate. They can exert pressure on nearby tissues but do not penetrate them because they have a capsule built into their structure. They respond well to hardware and surgical treatment and usually do not cause recurrence.There are always congenital structures - moles or warts - on the skin, as well as acquired structures. The latter is formed on the surface or in the subcutaneous layer due to metabolic disorders, reduced immunity or under the influence of viruses.

Common (simple, vulgar) warts

Common warts are dense, dry growths that are characterized by an uneven, rough surface to the touch, varying sizes, and a rounded shape. They appear as a hard, keratinized bubble up to 1 cm in diameter that rises significantly above the surface of the skin.The surface of a common wart is usually covered with grooves and bumps, which is why the new growth vaguely resembles a cauliflower or raspberry, with dark spots inside.This is the most common type of wart, accounting for 70% of all such skin tumors. Simple warts can appear on the skin of any age, but are most common in children and young adults. This is because their immunity is weaker than that of adults.Common warts usually appear on the hands (fingers and backs of hands), knees, and elbows, sometimes on the face or feet, and rarely on the oral mucosa.Scattered small growths may form next to the large "parent" wart. Young tumors usually remain flesh-colored; over time, they become dirty gray or gray-brown, and rarely appear yellow or pink. This is due to their uneven porous surfaces, which tend to accumulate dirt.Common warts are usually not a cause for concern: they cause no unpleasant symptoms and are not painful or itchy. However, if they are in an area where they are impacted or come into contact with clothing, they may cause pain. Growths may heal on their own over time, especially if they occurred in childhood.

Why do benign structures appear on the skin?

Cosmetologists and dermatologists do not know the exact mechanism of its formation. The most common reasons are:

• Injuried;
• Virus;
• Systemic diseases of the body, such as xanthomas, occur due to excess fat in the blood;
• long-term skin disease;
• exposure to corrosive substances;
• overexposure to ultraviolet radiation;
• X-ray;
• Genetic (e. g. seborrheic dermatoses).

Most skin lesions are benign

Plantar (apical) warts

Plantar warts are a type of common wart. Manifestations of the disease are most common in children and 20-30 years of age. Plantar warts account for 30% of all skin warts.Warts on the soles of the feet appear as hard, round bumps with a nipple in the center. Characteristic black spots can be seen inside warts - many small capillaries that are thrombosed. There is a small roll of keratinized skin along the edge. The visible part is only 1-2 mm above the skin surface and can reach 2 cm in diameter, which is only a quarter of the total size of plantar warts. It is mainly formed in the deep layers of the epithelium (skin). ).Externally, the spine resembles callus. Plantar warts can be distinguished from calluses by visible interruptions in the skin pattern consistent with warts.This type of tumor usually affects the feet (soles, sides, and toes) and, less commonly, the palms of the hands. They appear on the skin as small, white, pinpoint skin lesions that are sometimes itchy. Over time, their surface becomes rougher and their color changes - from yellow to dark brown.Plantar warts themselves do not pose a health threat, but they can cause significant discomfort and pain when walking, which often worsens and may even bleed. This is due to the location of the tumor and the peculiarities of its growth. Because the spine grows inward, the weight of the body when walking compresses the pain receptors.The incubation period for the disease ranges from days to years. The infection enters the body and goes into a mode waiting for a favorable environment to activate. Fifty percent of cases resolve without treatment. But this process takes 8 months to a year and a half.If left untreated, plantar warts can enlarge and multiply, even producing large clusters of tumors. This may even cause a person to be temporarily incapacitated due to excruciating pain that prevents them from walking.Plantar warts are divided into 3 types based on the characteristics and location of the lesions:

• simple;
• A week;
• mosaic.

Are benign forms hiding dangers?

Benign tumors are unpredictable structures that may manifest at any time or not at all. The process by which they transform into malignancy has not been fully studied. There is no clear answer to the question of what exactly activates this process. Mechanical trauma, excessive UV radiation, metabolic disorders, and other factors are thought to contribute to degeneration. Regardless, if you have benign skin lesions, you should not try and rely on chance. Furthermore, today's demolition will not cause difficulties.

periungual plantar warts

Periungual warts are small, rough structures with cracked surfaces that are found on a person's hands and feet near or deep beneath the nail plate. In appearance, they resemble heads of cauliflower.They can be flat, pointed or hemispherical. Generally, periungual warts are gray, but they can also be flesh-colored. They are not as dense as simple soles, but have fairly deep roots.This disease mainly affects children and adolescents. The main cause of infection is microtrauma to the skin around the nail. Particularly at risk are those who bite their nails and keep stray animals, as well as those who accidentally remove cuticles, use unsterile tools, and work in the water without gloves.This tumor poses no threat to human health; it is primarily a cosmetic blemish. Periungual plantar warts do not cause discomfort or pain when pressed. However, warts under the nails are not so harmless - over time, the tumors can cause the wasting of the nail plate and its further destruction.In addition, various bacteria and viruses will enter through the gaps on the surface of the growth. Due to frequent manual operations, gaps can easily form and cause reinfection. Additionally, as warts grow, the cracks can cause pain. The stratum corneum often flakes off and becomes easily inflamed (paronychia).Removing the tumor is necessary to stop the growth of the tumor, which can easily spread to healthy fingers. Warts lie beneath the nail plate, making them very difficult to treat and remove. When it appears in childhood or adolescence, it can go away on its own.

Where do warts come from – they are contagious!

Like herpes, warts are caused by viruses. Over a hundred viruses can cause warts, most of which are HPV. Because there are cancer-causing types of HPV, certain forms are particularly dangerous for cancer, such as those that form around the genitals.No matter what the warts are or where they are, never scratch, rub or scratch them as they can spread millions of viruses to other areas of the skin where new growths may appear!It is very easy to contract the wart virus. For example, infected human epithelial cells end up in swimming pool water. They swim in the water and find their prey easily. Wart viruses can also be spread through direct physical contact, simply by shaking hands. Tiny lesions on the skin facilitate the entry of the virus into the body.In children, warts often appear under the nails as a result of sucking or chewing their fingers, which can be painful and difficult to treat. Children can easily contract the virus while playing. As a result, one in four children has viral warts on their hands or feet. Whether we contract a virus depends on how strong our immune system is. A strong immune system can suppress the infections that cause warts.

Mosaic plantar warts

Mosaic warts are a special type of tumor. They are plaques, so-called clusters, formed by the fusion of many small plantar warts pressed tightly together. The arrangement of the plaques resembles a mosaic (hence the name).This formation is usually observed in a small, localized area. Measuring up to about 6-7 centimeters in diameter, mosaic warts look like small black punctures in the early stages of development. As they develop, they take on the appearance of white, yellow, or light brown cauliflower with black spots in the center. These spots form due to blood clots in blood vessels.This type of wart is very rare. They usually affect the hands or soles of the feet and are especially common under the toes. Unlike simple plantar warts, mosaic warts cause little to no pain when walking because they are flatter and more superficial.Mosaic warts are highly contagious. Because of the diversity of viral foci, they are difficult to treat. Prompt initiation of treatment contributes to its success. Often, mosaic growths tend to recur even after surgical removal.

Benign and Malignant Tumors of the Skin: What’s the Difference?

Benign lesions do not pose a threat to human life. If they grow in size, they can interfere with the normal functioning of various body systems. In contrast, malignant tumors grow rapidly and aggressively, infiltrating surrounding tissue and forming metastases over time. Some can damage vital organs and cause death.Sometimes benign skin tumors can change due to external or genetic causes. They acquire the ability to degenerate into malignant lesions. This condition is called borderline or precancerous. Although there are not always obvious symptoms, they pose a huge risk to health and life.

Flat (juvenile) warts

Flat warts are a fairly common type of tumor and are the least problematic. They appear as small bean-shaped lesions (a few millimeters in diameter) or smooth papular lesions. They can grow singly (which is very rare) or in large numbers, close to each other.The disease has several stages:

• Mild – one or a few painless warts;
• Medium – 10 to 100 painless growths;
• Severe - more than 100 tumors.

If they are located in areas that are subject to excessive pressure (friction from clothing, shoes, etc. ), they can cause pain.Flat warts are easy to identify and appear white, brown, yellow, or pink, similar to the color of flesh. They are about the size of a pinhead and are smoother and flatter than other types of warts. In fact, where flat warts form, the skin bulges slightly (about 5 mm in height), forming a sort of raised, rounded area. Growths usually appear on the face, knees, elbows, back, legs, and arms (especially the fingers). People of any age can fall victim to this disease. But it's most common in children and teenagers (20% of schoolchildren have it), hence the name juvenile warts.In a close group of schoolchildren, 80% showed resistance (resistance) to the virus. In adults, post-shaving irritation and inflammation can lead to tumor proliferation.The incubation period for infection can be up to 8 months. In most cases, the disease is a cosmetic defect only. Juvenile warts are painless unless caused by mechanical pressure or injury, sometimes cause itching, but are highly contagious.The virus is not actually spread through shared items; the main route of infection is through skin-to-skin contact. Flat warts multiply easily, and mere contact with a healthy part of the body is enough to cause the birth of a new form.The peculiarity of this type of warts is that in most cases no treatment is required: they disappear as suddenly as they appeared, especially in children. In adults, the disease must be treated, and the virus is highly resistant to drug treatments.Warts spread through direct contactMinor trauma or maceration can cause epithelial barrier dysfunction, resulting in loss of skin integrity, opening the way for viral infection and wart formation. The incubation period after exposure ranges from 3 weeks to 8 months. In most cases, spontaneous resolution can be observed.

Laser wart removal

Today, laser surgery is one of the best ways to get rid of warts. This is a painless and safe procedure that can be used on the most sensitive areas. Laser removal of tumors is very effective: there is little chance of recurrence. This is largely influenced by the severity of the disease.Warts are removed by cauterizing the affected area layer by layer, allowing the doctor to control the depth of the effect. At the same time, the laser beam cauterizes the blood vessels, thereby preventing bleeding at the exposed site.Three common laser coagulation methods:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Surgery with this laser is more painful. While the carbon dioxide laser seals blood vessels, it also kills wart tissue. In the process, it is possible to damage healthy tissue. Wounds usually take longer to heal and scarring may form. The efficiency is about 70%.
• Erbium laser. It is characterized by shorter wavelength. The likelihood of scarring after healing is significantly reduced.
• Pulsed dye laser. This laser can more effectively seal the blood vessels that feed the wart. It doesn’t damage as much healthy tissue as CO2 laser does. It is also the only type of laser approved for use in children. This treatment is approximately 95% effective.

advantage	defect
Scarring is extremely unlikely (depending on how neglected the pathology is)	high price
Rapid tissue healing
This method is highly efficient
Minimal damage to healthy tissue
Program speed

Wart removal is performed under local anesthesia. A scab remains at the cauterized site and disappears within 14 days. After surgery, patients will quickly return to their normal lifestyle as long as they follow all of their doctor's recommendations.

Treatment of filiform papilloma

In 90% of cases, filiform warts do not heal on their own (for example, juvenile warts or common warts in childhood can heal on their own).They need treatment. Especially if these formations are injured.For example, if the papilloma is in the neck, it may be injured by a chain or collar. If on the face - from glasses, under the breasts - from bras. You should be aware that this permanent damage may lead to inflammation of the structure and its pain.

Official methods and treatments

Filamentous Wart Removal with Laser - Read detailed article on laser removal.The easiest, fastest and cheapest way to treat this type of papilloma. The doctor shines a laser beam onto the skin tissue, which vaporizes and burns it away. You should numb the skin with Novocaine first so the patient doesn't feel pain. And wear safety glasses over your eyes.The entire procedure takes less than 1 minute per wart. The result is the appearance of small scabs on the wound. After 3-5 days, the hard skin will fall off and healthy, clean skin will form in this area.Removal Using Radio Wave Methods - Read this article about radio wave surgery.Here's how it works: A radio wave surgical device ("Surgitron") generates high-frequency radio waves that destroy wart tissue in the same way as a laser, that is, vaporize it.The entire procedure is carried out in the same order as the laser treatment method - first (required! ) local anesthesia, then exposure for 1 - 2 minutes (it all depends on the size of the formation to be removed). The effects of radio wave therapy are exactly the same as those of laser therapy. Removing filamentous papillomas with liquid nitrogen - read about liquid nitrogen.This method is popular for its simplicity. There is no need for injections to numb the skin, and no need for a doctor to be present. The procedure can be performed by any nurse or beauty clinic staff member.Working principle: The temperature of liquid nitrogen is -195 degrees, freezing wart tissue. The doctor or nurse does not allow frostbite to occur in adjacent healthy areas of skin around the formation of pathology by adjusting the effects on the skin over time.After surgery, papillomas will disappear on their own in 90% of cases within 3-4 days.Electrocoagulation of filiform warts.Today, this method is used much less frequently because it is a more traumatic method. Use electrosurgery to remove the papilloma. In this case, burns and wounds form on the skin and take longer to heal.

Remove with radio knife

The most effective modern method of wart removal is via radio wave removal. First, this is because the instruments do not come into contact with the patient's body during the procedure: they are generated at radio wave frequencies.It’s worth noting other advantages of radio wave wart removal:

• Completely painless;
• the speed of the program;
• Rule out edema and infiltration;
• No postoperative complications;
• There will be no scarring at the site where the wart was removed;
• Rapid recovery period.

The surgery is also performed under local anesthesia. After exposure, scabs will form on the affected area of skin and disappear on their own within 7-10 days.

Prevent skin tumors

Unfortunately, medicine has not yet learned how to prevent the various forms from appearing on the skin. But dermatologists offer patients the following preventive advice:

• If a tumor appears on your skin, contact your doctor immediately;
• It should be removed only after expert and diagnostic confirmation that it is benign;
• Avoid overexposure to sunlight;
• Use sunscreen, especially if you are prone to moles and hyperpigmentation;
• No exposure to chemically active substances and carcinogens;
• Avoid foods that may cause cancer (bacon, sausages, animal fats, meat products containing food stabilizers).