Flat or youthful warts are viral skin growths that are common in children and adolescents. They are caused by a deficiency in the immune system at a young age and its inability to resist certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The disease causes HPV types 3, 5, and 10. These types of viruses are quite common in nature and are transmitted through direct contact, mostly in groups of children. The disease only occurs when the immune state is impaired, and over time, the warts can go away on their own.
Reasons
Flat warts result from the entry of human papillomavirus types 3, 5, and 10 into the skin. The papillomavirus penetrates through small cracks and fissures in the skin and infects keratinocytes. This changes the DNA in the cells, and they begin to produce collagen intensively, which causes the stratum corneum to grow and warts to form.
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. During scraping or shaving, warts spread throughout the body.
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 the mother's wart is formed first, around which smaller, daughters later appear. When digging, the papules grow linearly due to the spread of the virus in the direction of the comb. The nodule can be one or many, depending on the degree of resistance of the body. Color derivatives are no different from healthy skin, but sometimes take on a yellowish or brown tint.
The surface of the rash is smooth and without itching, pain or burning. Papules are localized mainly on the skin of the hands or on the face, at the site of first contact with the viral particle. Although they can spread to other surfaces: the forearms, the oral mucosa, or the red edge of the lips.
Diagnostics
It is sufficient to evaluate the specific clinical picture and perform the study. Virus identification using the polymerase chain reaction is rarely used.
In the event of a high number of warts and ineffective treatment, 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 drugs with anthelmintic effects.
- Keratolytic and antiviral agents are also used: 5% salicyl-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 occur in children, the formations are in many cases simply observed because of the high probability of self-healing.
Treatment with folk remedies
There are many effective treatments for warts in folk remedies. They are based on the use of plants and materials with keratolytic properties:
- Celandine. The juice of 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 fully recovered.
- Potato. Porridge in the top layer of potatoes (just under the skin) is applied to the warts and covered with a bandage on top. The compress is left overnight. The procedure should be performed every other day until the papules disappear.
- Vinegar. Once a day, the resulting area of skin is smeared with table vinegar until it is completely healed.
- Kalanchoe. Porridge from Kalanchoe leaves is applied to the papaya, a bandage or gauze napkin is placed on top. The compress is left for a few hours. The procedure must be performed daily.
Forecast and consequences
The prognosis for juvenile warts is favorable. The formations are not malignant and disappear rapidly after normalization of immunity.
To prevent their occurrence, after visiting public places, the child's hands should be thoroughly washed and colds and other immunosuppressive diseases should be treated in a timely manner.
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