Flat or juvenile warts are growths on the skin of a viral nature, characteristic of children and young people. Their appearance is due to the failure of the immune system at a young age and its inability to resist certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The disease is caused by HPV types 3, 5 and 10. Viruses of these types are quite common in nature and are transmitted by direct contact, mainly in groups of children. The disease manifests itself only with violations of the immune status, and over time the warts can disappear on their own.
causes
The appearance of flat warts is due to the introduction into the skin of the human papillomavirus types 3, 5 and 10. The papillomavirus penetrates through small cracks and cracks in the skin and infects the keratinocytes. It changes the DNA of the cells and they begin to intensively produce collagen, which results in the growth of the stratum corneum and the formation of warts.
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected people, children mainly develop after contact with other children in kindergarten or school, but adult carriers who have no signs of the disease can also become the source of the virus. Warts spread throughout the body during scratching or shaving.
Symptoms
When infected with a virus, flat, round or oval nodules up to 3 mm in diameter appear on the skin. Papules can merge with each other, forming polygonal eruptions. Often, first, a maternal wart is formed, around which smaller ones, daughters, then appear. When scratching, the papules grow linearly due to the spread of the virus along the direction of the comb. The lump can be one or more - it depends on the degree of resistance of the body. In color, the formations do not differ from healthy skin, but sometimes acquire a yellowish or brown tint.
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 face, the places of first contact with a viral particle. Although they can spread to other surfaces: the forearms, the mucous membrane of the mouth or the red border of the lips.
Diagnostics
It is enough to assess the specific clinical picture and conduct an examination. They rarely resort to virus identification by polymerase chain reaction.
With a large number of warts and the ineffectiveness of treatment, a comprehensive examination of the patient's body and immune status is performed. A common process usually indicates more serious health problems.
How to get rid of flat warts?
- Strengthen the immune system with a drug with an anthelmintic effect.
- Keratolytic and antiviral agents are also used: 5% salicylic-resorcinol ointment, oxolinic ointment, ointment or cream with interferon alpha-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 in most cases are simply monitored due to the high probability 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:
- Celandine. The juice from the stems of this plant helps dissolve the top layer of warts. The nodules are lubricated with celandine juice several times a day until complete recovery.
- Potato. The gruel from the top layer of the potato (just under the skin) is applied to the wart and covered with a bandage on top. The compress is left overnight. The procedure should be done every other day until the papules disappear.
- Vinegar. Once a day, table vinegar is smeared on the surface of the generated skin area until it is completely healed.
- Kalanchoe. Kalanchoe leaf gruel is applied to the papule, a bandage or gauze napkin is placed on top. The compress is left for several hours. The procedure must be performed daily.
Forecast and consequences
The prognosis for the appearance of juvenile warts is favorable. Formations do not undergo malignancy and quickly disappear with the normalization of immunity.
To avoid their appearance, it is necessary to wash your child's hands thoroughly after visiting any public place and treat colds and other diseases that reduce immunity over time.
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