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 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 their varieties, which can be classified as the least problematic forms.
Flat warts are formations on the skin that slightly rise above its surface. They are called flat because they are a kind of plaques that vaguely resemble a small nettle burn. Such neoplasms are also popularly called youthful, since they very often occur in childhood or adolescence, when hormonal changes are taking place in the body.
As they get older they usuallydisappear on their own and never come back. Flat warts are located on the face, on the limbs of the body, and, in addition, on the neck in boys or girls. By the way, they occur exclusively on the back of the arms or legs. They are never seen 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 infects most of the world's population. Influence the appearance of this formation 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 very fact of infection of the body with this virus does not at all lead to the mandatory appearance of the disease. That is, not all people develop warts after infection. A lot depends on the immune system. At the same time, general immunity plays an important role, as well as local defenses 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 start of using razors, which leads to injuries to the skin. If something similar is observed on the neck, then, most likely, the rules of hygiene were ignored. And when warts appear on the skin of the lower legs, in this case, it probably has to do with sweating.
Frequent otolaryngological diseases lead to a general decrease in all immunity inin general, which means that the papillomavirus is activated in the skin. Another important point is that hormonal changes are taking place in the young body of adolescents, which can also reduce immunity. Against the background of these processes, pustular diseases in the form of acne appear on the skin. In addition, there is excess sebum production along with excessive sweating and other changes that predispose the body to developing papillomavirus 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 appear flat round or oval growths up to two millimeters 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 appearance 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 reiterate that flat warts never occur in people on the palms or soles of the feet, they do not occur in the groin. These formations are very rare in individuals who are over forty years of age.
This is usually a youthful type of wart, associated with the beginning of hormonal changes in the whole organism. Also, the appearance of this growth is associated with the first period of activation of the papillomavirus, after which the development of the immune system and protective forces againstthis virus. Usually, this type of wart in humans never appears in adulthood.
How to get rid of?
As a rule, flat warts (pictured) 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 indications for when to be alert and take action (medical or surgical treatment)
- When flat warts begin to grow rapidly, especially on the face.
- Other warts begin to appear around and merge into groups.
- If the wart becomes ulcerated and bleeds.
- If the wart has a patchy color.
Basic principles of treatment
First of all, the therapy of this ailment is directed to antiviral drug treatment, to taking immune drugs and to removing warts. So let's take a look at each of these treatment principles one by one:
- As part of antiviral treatment, patients are prescribed drugs in the form of Isoprinosine, Allokin-alpha and Panavir.
- Immune drugs are prescribed in rare cases. More often they are prescribed by an immunologist after examining the patient. As a rule, drugs are used in the form of "Polyoxidonium", "Roncoleukin" and "Immunal". Multivitamin preparations may also be prescribed, for example, Alfavit along with Pentavit, Hexavit, Complivit, Centrum and others.
- With regard to removal, a number of techniques are currently used for treatment, designedto 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 cryosurgery, warts are cauterized with nitrogen.
Performing therapy
If flat warts (pictured in the article) do not increase and do not grow further, then it is believed that, in principle, they can not be touched, but only observed. If they cause cosmetic discomfort to a person, they are removed using a laser grinding method or radio waves.
It is important to note that warts on the face are not removed with liquid nitrogen. In addition, to rid the face of this defect, one cannot turn to the use of electrocoagulation. This is due to the fact that the skin on the face of a person 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. It is not advisable to use strong alkalis or acids, as they can also leave scars after application. And if it appears on the face after the removal of a flat wart, only plastic surgery will save the appearance.
But is it worth deleting something that usually goes away after a certain time? Doctors recommend refraining from removing flat warts if there are no strict indications for this. It is not recommended to treat such warts on your own, so as not to harm yourself as a result.
Flat warts on hands
Therapy can be extendedif you use more aggressive methods - 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 treating warts described above.
You can see how neoplasms look like in the photo. How is flat wart treated in children? More on that below.
Treatment in children
All the provisions, along with the treatment regimens that were described above for adults, are 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 a child with it.
It is forbidden to use aggressive methods of removing flat warts in children under 12 years old 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 other 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 the use of an antiviral ointment, for example, Panavir. Also in children, warts can be removed with a resurfacing laser.
Folk treatments
The following treatment options are popularly used to get rid of flat warts on the hands and face:
- Treatment with celandine. Fresh celandine breaks off, and is smeared with yellow juice that stands outwart over its entire surface. This procedure is repeated every day twice until the complete disappearance of the build-up from the face. If there is no fresh celandine, you can apply a gauze napkin soaked in an aqueous infusion of dry celandine.
- Treatment with garlic. Cut off 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 boost
The appearance of flat warts indicates that a person has reduced immunity, in connection with this it is necessary to increase it. Folk remedies to increase immunity include the following recipes:
- Reception of decoctions of mint, thyme, currant leaves, rose hips, cranberries and lingonberries. The choice should be to drink one glass of any of the decoctions per day.
- Treatment with honey. Honey can be a great immune booster if a person is not allergic to it.
Prevention
In order for such an unpleasant phenomenon as flat warts not to occur in an adult or a child, the following recommendations must be followed:
- It is very important for everyone to follow the rules of hygiene.
- Use only personal hygiene items. You can not wear other people's slippers, clothes, use towels.
- It is not advisable to wear too tight or too warm clothes. The skin at any time of the year must breathe. And we must not allow the skin to sweat once again.
- Need regularlystrengthen immunity, as well as lead a he althy lifestyle.
Below are numerous reviews of flat warts and their treatment.
Patient testimonials
Surgical treatments, such as liquid nitrogen or electrocoagulation, are described by people as painful. It is noted that at the same time 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, monitor its condition until complete recovery.
What other reviews about the treatment of flat warts do patients leave?
Someone, on the contrary, writes that it doesn't hurt so much, so there is no need to complain about the procedure. Despite mixed 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 discontent about the appearance of scars, regardless of the method of removing the wart. Directly about the electrocoagulation procedure, they say that during its implementation 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 arise in the same place again. Many people write about folk methods regarding the use of, for example, garlic or celandine,that such remedies for warts are absolutely ineffective.
We reviewed treatments and reviews for flat warts on the face and hands.
