Flat wart
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Symptoms
- Diagnostics
- Treatment of flat warts
- Potential consequences and complications
- Forecast
- Prevention
A flat wart is a small, benign nodule up to 5 mm in diameter, slightly raised above the surface of the skin. Typically, these warts are found in clusters on the legs, hands and face. They are quite rare (4-5% of all warts). They are not prone to malignant transformation.
Removal of flat warts is carried out only in order to eliminate a cosmetic defect
Flat warts on the arms and legs are always localized on the dorsum, they never occur on the soles or palms. They most often affect children and young people, for this reason they are called youthful.
Flat warts on the body and face are diagnosed and treated by dermatologists.
Causes and risk factors
Flat warts appear when a patient becomes infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The causative agent of the disease is transmitted from the carrier to other people by contact, that is, through handshakes, kisses, hugs. Somewhat less often, human papillomavirus infection can occur through everyday use through common items, library books, elevator buttons, door handles, railings, handrails, etc.
The papillomavirus enters the upper layers of the skin through microtrauma (abrasions, scratches, cuts). From there, it is introduced into the tissues of the nervous system, where it persists throughout the patient's life. For a long time, the infection may not manifest itself in anything. Its activation, clinically manifested by the appearance of skin growths, occurs against the background of a weakening of the immune system, which can be caused by the influence of the following factors:
- chronic stress;
- fluctuations in hormonal levels;
- infectious diseases;
- prolonged physical or emotional stress;
- systematic violation of the daily routine (lack of sleep);
- hypothermia.
Human papillomavirus infection is the main cause of flat warts on the body
The predisposing factors for the appearance of flat warts on the face are frequent shaving (skin microtrauma), as well as violation of personal hygiene rules. Flat warts on the legs usually appear in people with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
The human papillomavirus persists in the patient's body. Therefore, exacerbations periodically occur, manifested by the appearance of new generations of flat warts.
When trying to self-remove flat warts or accidentally injuring them, the papillomavirus can get to new areas of the skin (self-infection).
Symptoms
A flat wart is a rounded dense nodule (papule) slightly raised above the surface of the skin, with a flat, smooth top and clear boundaries. Its surface remains shiny and smooth, no build-ups form on it, since it is not prone to keratinization. Flat warts are usually less than 5 mm in size and can be flesh-colored, pinkish, or light brown in color. A characteristic feature of a flat wart is the absence of a skin pattern on its surface.
Flat warts are usually represented by separately located elements that do not tend to merge with each other. Their typical localization is the skin of the lower leg, the back of the hands and the skin of the face (usually the forehead and chin). Rashes in most cases are not accompanied by any unpleasant symptoms. In rare cases, mild itching may occur in the area of the rash.
Flat wart under magnification
The appearance of flat warts, especially on the face, causes psychological discomfort in the patient, contributes to a decrease in self-esteem, a depressed state provokes the development of depression.
Diagnostics
A flat wart is diagnosed by a dermatologist based on the characteristic clinical picture of the disease and dermatoscopy data of skin nodules. The diagnosis can be confirmed by histological examination of the removed wart, as well as a blood test by PCR, which allows the detection of papillomavirus.
Differential diagnosis is carried out with other types of warts. Flat warts differ from the plantar in another place of localization, from filiform warts in the absence of growths and growths, and from ordinary warts in a flat surface and smaller in size.
Diagnosis of flat warts is carried out by examining scraping by PCR
Treatment of flat warts
Taking into account the fact that flat warts are almost never traumatized, and in addition, they have a tendency to spontaneous resolution, they are removed only at the request of the patient seeking to get rid of a cosmetic defect.
Traditional medicine offers many treatments for flat warts. But their use threatens the spread of infection to other areas of the skin, the appearance of new rashes of warts, and the addition of a secondary purulent infection.
Removal of flat warts should only be performed under sterile conditions by a dermatologist.
To remove flat warts on the face, electrocautery or surgical excision is not used, since after them noticeable scars remain at the site of removal. For the same reason, it is not advisable to use the cryodestruction method.
The best cosmetic effect is provided by laser or radio wave removal of flat warts. These methods allow you to adjust the depth of the impact, which prevents the formation of further scar tissue. In addition, they ensure the coagulation of blood vessels and thereby prevent further spread of the virus in tissues.
Radio wave removal of flat warts is a common treatment
If necessary (frequent relapses, multiple warts), the patient is prescribed antiviral therapy.
Potential consequences and complications
By themselves, flat warts do not pose a health hazard, but they can cause severe psychological discomfort associated with a cosmetic defect.
Removal of flat warts is sometimes accompanied by complications:
- incomplete removal of the skin nodule, which leads to its growth in the future;
- scarring;
- skin burn.
The experience and professionalism of the doctor, the use of modern methods for removing flat warts reduces the risk of complications to a minimum.
Forecast
Since the human papillomavirus after infection constantly resides in the nervous tissue, there is always the possibility of a re-rash of flat warts after their removal. A weakening of the body's defenses leads to a relapse, which can be caused by hypothermia, malnutrition, overstrain, alcohol abuse and other factors. Systemic antiviral therapy can reduce the risk of relapse.
Prevention
Prevention of flat warts is to prevent infection with the human papillomavirus. It is based on careful adherence to personal hygiene measures, combating foot hyperhidrosis, and strengthening immunity.
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Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
