Verruca usually are small bulges of the skin, sometimes painful, yellowish gray, hemispherical in shape. Warts are caused by a viral infection supported by a type of papilloma virus that infects people (HPV).
The incubation period of the papilloma virus ranges from two to nine months, during which there is a slow hyperproliferation of the cells of the dermis and / or epidermis. Risk factors Among the main risk factors , that can cause and contribute to the appearance of warts, it should be noted:
- weakening of immune defense;
- genetic factor;
- skin damage (this is the main entry point of a viral infection, so warts are more common in areas prone to injuries);
- use of common towels, bathrobes, slippers.
Verruca can appear at any age, regardless of gender. Direct transmission of a viral infection occurs by touching other people's verrucas.
The following types of skin warts are distinguished: vulgar, flat, plantar, periungual, phytoid, mosaic.
Diagnosis of skin warts
Diagnosis is usually based on a simple clinical examination. However, the doctor must make sure that the symptoms that appear in the patient are not related to other disorders or diseases, like corns, seborrheic keratosis, squamous lichen, or squamous cell carcinoma. Less often you have to resort to a biopsy.
Symptoms of Warts
The most characteristic feature of warts is the appearance of skin protrusions that form in the form of nodules or papules. Some types of warts are characterized by the presence of small dark spots on them. (These points are thrombosed capillaries.)
Skin warts usually do not cause discomfort, but if they are located on surfaces subject to pressure or friction (for example, the soles of the feet), they can cause pain. In very rare cases, they can bleed.
In many cases, spontaneous healing of warts occurs within 1 – 5 years. However, in other cases, warts persist for extended periods of time and recur. The clinical evolution of a particular infection is unpredictable. Despite persistent rumors, warts to cancer do not progress. However, it is always recommended to consult a doctor if the wart begins to hurt, swell, blush, bleed, or fester.
How to remove warts?
Due to the high relapse rate and the possibility of permanent scarring, surgical removal of warts or the use of aggressive methods such as electrocoagulation is no longer considered necessary or appropriate. The therapeutic choice differs depending on the type of wart, its position, depth, amount and degree of skin damage. To select the most effective therapeutic strategy, you can consult a dermatologist at the «Bogoliuby MC».
