Flat or youthful warts are viral skin growths that are characteristic of children and young people. Their appearance is associated with an immune system failure in adolescence and its inability to resist certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The disease is caused by HPV types 3, 5 and 10. These types of viruses are quite common in nature and are transmitted through direct contact, mainly in groups of children. The disease only manifests itself in violations of the immune system, and over time, the warts can disappear on their own.
Causes
The appearance of flat warts is associated with the administration of human papillomavirus types 3, 5 and 10 into the skin. Papilloma virus enters through small cracks and fissures in the skin and infects keratinocytes. It alters the DNA of the cells and they start producing intense collagen, which causes the stratum corneum to grow and form warts.
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected people, children develop mainly after contact with other children in kindergarten or school, but adult carriers who do not show signs of the disease can also become a source of the virus. Warts spread throughout the body during scratching or shaving.
Symptoms
When infected with the virus, flat, round or oval nodules up to 3 mm in diameter appear on the skin. Papules can merge with each other to form polygonal eruptions. Often a mother wart is formed first, around which smaller, daughters then appear. When scratching, the papules grow linearly as the virus spreads in the direction of the comb. The node can be one or more - it depends on the degree of resistance of the body. The color formations do not differ from healthy skin, but sometimes they turn yellow or brown.
The surface of the rash is smooth and not accompanied by itching, pain or burning. Papules are located mainly on the skin of the hands or on the face - at the first contact with the virus particles. Although they can spread to other surfaces: forearms, oral mucosa or the red edges of the lips.
Diagnostics
It is sufficient to evaluate the specific clinical picture and perform the test. Rarely, virus identification by polymerase chain reaction is used.
With a large number of warts and treatment ineffectiveness, a complete examination of the body and the patient's immune status is performed. A common process usually indicates more serious health problems.
How to get rid of flat warts?
- Strengthening the immune system with anthelmintic drugs.
- Keratolytic and antiviral agents are also used: 5% salicylic acid-resorcinol ointment, oxoline ointment, ointment or cream with interferon alfa-2, 10% silver nitrate solution. Silver nitrate is not recommended for removing flat warts on the face.
- In rare cases, cryotherapy and laser removal are used.
When warts appear in children, the formations are in most cases simply monitored because of the high chance of self-healing.
Treatment with folk remedies
There are many effective methods of treating warts with folk remedies. They are based on the use of plants and substances with keratolytic properties:
- Strutene. The juice from the stems of this plant helps to dissolve the top layer of warts. The nodules are lubricated with celandine juice several times a day until complete recovery.
- Potatoes. Porridge in the top layer of potatoes (just under the skin) is applied to the wart and covered with a bandage. The compress is left overnight. The procedure should be performed every other day until the papules disappear.
- Vinegar. Once a day, apply table vinegar to the surface of the created skin area until it is completely healed.
- Kalancho. Spread the calendula leaves on the papula, put a bandage or gauze napkin on top. The compress is left for several hours. The procedure must be performed daily.
Forecast and consequences
The prognosis for juvenile warts is favorable. The formations are not susceptible to malignancy and disappear rapidly with normalization of immunity.
To avoid their appearance, the child's hands should be washed thoroughly after any visit to public places and colds and other immunosuppressive diseases should be treated in good time.
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