warts

Quick Overview

• Warts ways: Common warts, brush warts, plantar warts, flat warts, “fake” warts (mollusc warts, senile warts, stalk warts)
• Causes: True warts are usually caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Molluscum contagiosum virus is responsible for mollusc warts. The exact cause of the age and stalk warts is unknown.
• Risk factors: et al Skin wounds, weakened immune system, circulatory disorder, tendency to allergies (atopy) or existing atopic disease (such as eczema), mental conflicts and stress
• Possibilities of treatment: et al Icing (cryotherapy), acid treatment (such as a medicated plaster or ointment), “burning” with electric current (electrocoagulation), laser treatment, ablation with a medical instrument (curette, sharp spoon, scalpel, etc.)
• Forecast: Warts are mostly harmless and often disappear by themselves (often after months or years). The relapse rate is high, however, with or without treatment.

warts types

Warts (verrucae) are small, well-defined growths (tumors) of the epidermis, They are triggered by viruses, in most cases by Human papilloma viruses (HPV). Warts often occur in children and adolescents. In principle, however, you can get verrucae at any age.

There are different types of HPV. Depending on which type of virus is responsible for the infection and where it settles, morphologically different types of warts develop. There are also some skin lesions that look like warts but are of a different origin. Below you will find a description of the most important genuine and fake warts as well as treatment options (general information on wart treatment, see below):

Common Warts (Verrucae vulgares)

Common or common warts are the most common form of virus warts. Other names include Vulgar wart, cutaneous or barbed wart. These skin nodules can become everywhere on the body form. The most common are such warts on the hand or on the foot, A wart on the finger sits in many cases near the edge of the nail (periungual).

Most are ordinary warts pinhead to pea sized, Your initially smooth surface will grow with you rugged and horny, In addition, the first skin-colored skin growths gradually take a dirty yellow color at. they kick sometimes individually (solitaire) up. However, they are observed often in larger numbers.

Usually cause verrucae vulgares no pressure pain and no itching, If you do not want to wait for the cuticles to heal on their own, you can try different options for treating warts. This includes above all ice up (with liquid nitrogen) and one acid treatment (about with salicylic acid). Occasionally other methods are used, such as one laser therapy.

Brush warts (Verrucae filiformes)

It is a special form of the common warts with a long, thread-like stalk, They form especially with older people in the face (on eyelids, lips, nose) or On neck, Occasionallyitch she. In addition, you can irritate or injure brush warts during washing, drying or shaving. Above all, however, the filiform or spiky-looking warts on the face are often perceived as cosmetically disturbing. Therefore, many sufferers remove them from the doctor, for example ice up (Cryotherapy), one acid treatment or by means of laser treatment.

Plantar warts (verrucae plantares)

Unlike common warts, plantar warts are not raised, hemispherical skin growths. Instead, there are plantar warts pressed inwards, This is because they usually form on the sole of the foot: the weight on them pushes the warts inwards into the subcutaneous tissue. In addition, plantar warts are usually unlike common warts quite painful, Every step can be uncomfortable for those affected.

You can get thorn warts when you look at them To run barefoot in swimming pool, gym or communal shower infected with the triggering viruses (HPV). To get rid of them, you can enter salicylic acid patch stick on. It softens the horny layer so that it can be easily sanded off with a warm foot bath. Another therapy option is to use the plantar warts ice up (Cryotherapy). But you can also use electric power “burn” (Electrocoagulation) or with a special medical device (“sharp spoon“) ablate.

Read more about the appearance and treatment of the painful plantar warts in the article Dornwarzen.

Flat warts (Verrucae planae juveniles)

With little raised warts on the face or on the hands, these are probably so-called flat warts or flat warts. Occasionally, this type of wart also forms on other parts of the body. Most commonly observed are flat warts in children and adolescents. You will therefore too juvenile warts called.

The trigger of this wart form – as with other real warts – human papilloma viruses. A weakened immune system can promote an infection with these viruses. Especially children scratch the flat warts often. Then you can go along the Kratzspur new flat warts form because the viruses are distributed with the nails.

Flat warts are harmless and often disappear by themselves. Those who do not want to wait for it or who suffer very badly and flat warts should talk to the doctor about treatment options. For example, you can use flat warts dissolve with vitamin A acid or salicylic acid (possibly in combination with UV irradiation). Besides, you can ice up (Cryotherapy) or with electric current “burn” (Electrocautery). Sometimes they are also treated with a special surgical instrument (curette) or by means of Laser therapy away.

Read more in the article flat warts.

Mollusc warts (Mollusca contagiosa)

Mollusc warts are no real warts – despite their name and their similar appearance. They are not caused by human papilloma viruses. Instead, that’s it Molluscum contagiosum virus the trigger of these wart-like, harmless skin nodules.

Usually there are mollusc warts in groups at one or two skin sites. In some people, they are also loosely distributed over the body. The most common is in adults genital region of mollusc warts. In contrast, other parts of the body are often affected, such as Face, neck or armpits.

Inside, mollusc warts contain one infectious secretion, If you come in contact with it, you can easily get infected (contact infection). This is especially true if your own skin is softened (for example, swimming pool or sauna visits). Then the triggering viruses can penetrate into the skin more easily. Also wounds, fungal infections of the skin and atopic dermatitis favor an infection with the mollusc infections.

Mollusc warts usually disappear on their own. But they can also last for years. They are similar to flat warts Salicylic acid or vitamin A acid remove. But you can also do it with a surgical instrument ablate, There is also the possibility of irritation treatment: Applying an irritating liquid causes the skin to become inflamed in the area around the mollusc warts. This should help them heal faster.

You can read more about this topic in the article “Dell warts”.

Age warts (seborrheic keratosis)

Old-age warts (senile warts) are also no real wartseven if they are similar. Their cause is unknown. However, it is known that they are not caused by viruses – neither by HPV nor by other types of viruses. Age warts are therefore too non-infectious.

The name of these wart-like skin nodules stems from the fact that they are especially in old age occur. They form preferentially in the face, on the chest and back, on the backs of the hands as well as the front sides of arms and legs. Their appearance is very variable. That is why doctors distinguish different forms of age wartsFor example, pedunculated age wart and stucco keratosis.

Because age warts are harmless and usually do not cause discomfort, they usually do not necessarily have to be removed. If you still want to get rid of them, you should turn to a doctor (as with other warts): You can age wart with a surgical instrument ablate (Curette, sharp spoon, scalpel) or eliminate with a laser, Stalked warts can be one electric sling remove.

Everything important about these widespread, harmless skin proliferations you read in the article age warts.

Stick warts (fibroids)

There are also stalk warts no real warts, It is rather soft, benign growths of certain skin cells. Your medically correct name is soft fibromas.

Pretty much every person gets the sooner or later small, pedunculated, skin-colored skin appendage, Why this is so, you do not know. However, as stalk warts are common in some families, experts suspect a genetic predisposition.

Like age warts are also stick warts harmless and not contagious, But they can be cosmetically disturbing. Sometimes they are also mechanically disturbing. So it can happen with stick warts in the neck area, that thin necklaces or fine silk shawls hang on it. In such cases, affected people can have their stalk warts removed by the doctor – by laser, electric current (Electrocoagulation) or using a surgical scissors.

Find out more about these stalked skin appendages in the article Stielwarzen.

Warts: causes and risk factors

Real warts are in most cases Human papilloma virus (HPV) caused: The pathogens penetrate over small injuries and cracks in skin cells and trigger an uncontrolled cell proliferation. The invaders force the human host cells to produce more viruses.

The pathogens are different types of HPV. For example, common (vulgar) warts are mostly caused by HPV types 1, 2, 4 and 7. Also in plantar warts can be mainly HPV types 1, 2 and 4 prove. In contrast, flat warts (verrucae planae juveniles) are generally caused by HPV type 3.

Incidentally, certain types of human papilloma viruses are involved in the development of multiple cancers (such as cervical cancer and penile cancer). However, these are not those types of viruses that are responsible for the traditional verrucae. Caution is required only with the so-called genital or genital warts (condylomata).

Loggerhead Warts are not caused by HPV: For molluscum are viruses of the type Molluscum contagiosum responsible. at Age warts the cause is unknown. The same applies to stem warts.

Risk factors for warts

Several factors may favor the formation of verrucae – especially the most common form, the verrucae vulgares. These risk factors include increased perspiration (Hyperhidrosis), one disturbed blood circulation in fingers and toes (acrocyanosis) and a weakened immune system, Also people with one Tendency to allergies (Atopy) or an existing one atopic disease (like atopic dermatitis) are particularly vulnerable.

Spiritual conflicts and stress also appear to increase the risk of disease. Affected adults are also often smoker.

Are warts contagious?

Virus warts are contagious (infectious): The viruses are transmitted directly from person to person, sometimes indirectly via towels or razors. Between the infection and the appearance of the first verrucae (incubation period) can take four weeks to eight months.

It is particularly easy to get infected with warts viruses, if the Skin hurt is. Favorable also affects wet or soggy skin out. That is why it is particularly easy to get infected, for example, in the swimming pool, in the sauna and in shared showers. Also endangered are people who have frequent contact with the triggering viruses or affected people (such as children).

Someone who already has the small skin growths can continue to infect themselves (autoinoculation). So the verrucae can spread on the body: The viruses are transmitted, for example, by scratching the skin nodules to neighboring or more distant parts of the body, where they can also settle.

Non-contagious are “fake” warts that are not caused by viruses (old-age warts and stalk warts).

Warts: examinations and diagnosis

Usually verrucae are harmless. A doctor’s visit is only necessary if the small skin tumors are cosmetically disturbing and should be removed or if they occur in the genital area. You should definitely go to the doctor, too

• a wart is bleeding or inflamed,
• Warts on other skin diseases (such as atopic dermatitis) arise or
• Mollusc warts spread quickly.

With age warts there may be a likelihood of confusion with skin cancer. So anyone who is not sure that wart-like skin nodules are actually harmless age warts should also go to the doctor.

Diagnosis usually simple

Diagnosing Verrucae is generally not difficult for a doctor. He can usually recognize the small, benign skin tumors by their appearance. In addition, the shape, structure and location of the growths in most cases also provide information about which type of warts it is.

If the doctor is not quite sure, he can get one of the skin nodules tissue sample and have them examined histologically in the laboratory. In individual cases, an attempt is also made to detect the pathogens (human papilloma viruses) in the sample.

Warts: treatment

Most warts do not cause discomfort and sooner or later disappear by themselves. There is no medical reason why you should remove the warts.

However, if you find the small skin growths cosmetically disturbing, you should discuss with a doctor how to remove your warts. The same applies to warts that cause discomfort, such as plantar warts on the sole of the foot, which makes walking very painful.

How can you remove warts?

“What helps against warts?” With this question, many sufferers turn to their pharmacist or doctor. The answer is: There are different methods and remedies for warts. Which strategy makes the most sense in an individual case depends, for example, on the type and number of warts and their location.

Dissolving the horny layer

Various acids can remove warts by dissolving their horny layer. Most will do it salicylic acid sometimes uses another acid as well lactic acid, If you want to remove flat warts on the face, it usually comes Vitamin A acid for use. The acids are as a solution, cream or patch available at the pharmacy – mostly without prescription.

Read the package leaflet before using for the first time. It says exactly how to apply the product in question. In general, a solution or cream must be applied to the warts several times a day for several weeks. A plaster is worn for a few days (possibly with repetition).

Under the action of acid, the horny layers of the skin dissolve. You must remove them regularly with care, for example with one file or one Hornhauthobel, Take care not to injure surrounding areas of the skin and to transfer warts to the area. Otherwise new warts will develop on these injuries.

Warts freeze (cryotherapy)

The doctor can freeze warts by being careful liquid nitrogen applying. As it evaporates, it creates an extreme cold that destroys the uppermost layer of the skin. The icing must repeated several times Only then can you finally remove the warts. Between sessions must be at least a week pass away.

The application of liquid nitrogen can cause a short, sharp cold pain. As a result, the skin usually reddens and swells slightly. It can also form a skin blister. It usually takes several days until the warts heal with crusting. If the cryotherapy is done with caution, no scar remains.

Warts removal by icing is not in all cases allowed. For example, the method is not suitable for people with a diabetic foot or “intermittent claudication” (peripheral arterial disease, PAD). The icing of warts on the foot can additionally disturb the already poor blood circulation, damage the nerves and cause badly healing wounds. Also in Raynaud’s syndrome (disease-related hypoperfusion of fingers and toes), cryotherapy is inappropriate to remove a wart.

You do not have to go to the doctor to remove warts using cold. Meanwhile, pharmacies offer OTC icing pens home for self-treatment. These are less cold than the liquid nitrogen that the doctor can apply. In addition, the effectiveness of such icing pens has not been scientifically proven.

Remove warts: Other methods

There are other remedies for warts. So far, however, there is no clear proof that they really help or work better than acids or icing.

So should special ointments and solutions with active ingredients that inhibit cell growth (5-fluorouracil) or viruses (acyclovir etc.), can also remove warts. Sometimes different drugs are also called syringe directly into the warts, for example, 5-fluorouracil or substances that affect the immune system (interferons).

You can also use the curettage Remove warts: Skin nodules are scraped off with a special medical instrument (curette). Previously, they are often pretreated with acid.

Some people have their warts lasered, so with one laser heat and destroy strongly.

In the Photodynamic therapy a special gel is applied to the wart. It is allowed to act for about three hours and then irradiated the wart with light. Certain ingredients in the gel are thereby activated and destroy the skin tumor.

The old method To cut out warts, is used very rarely today. This can lead to infections and a cosmetically disturbing scarring.

Home remedies for warts

Various medicinal plants should be very helpful if you want to remove warts. So should about the Milk juice of celandine eliminate small skin tumors by dabbing them several times a day. In the same way you can with the Milk juice of dandelion or one Solution from the root of the foot Treating warts. That should also be able to eliminate the small skin nodules.

Often naturopaths put in the wart treatment on the anti-viral power of Tea tree oil, It is applied in dilute form several times a day to the wart. Also effective against warts viruses could be garlic be: With the intake of a high-dose garlic preparation should also remove warts.

Warts: history and prognosis

Warts are generally harmless, As soon as the body succeeds in successfully fighting the triggering viruses, they disappear again on their own. This can take weeks to months. Examinations of affected schoolchildren and adolescents showed that after one year about fifty percent and after two years about seventy percent were again wart-free. There are no comparable examinations in adults.

How fast the small skin growths disappear in individual cases depends on various factors. For example, the type of virus and wart and the state of the immune system play a role. Thus, verrucae in people with a weakened body defense can be very persistent.

Warts – with or without treatment – healed at some point in the future, but you are not immune to it. On the contrary, the rate of recurrence (recurrence rate) is high.

Tips for prevention

Some measures may prevent you from becoming infected with affected people or, in turn, transmitting the virus to other people:

• Do not share towels, shoes and socks with other people.
• Do not walk barefoot in swimming pools, communal showers, gyms, and dressing rooms.
• Cover existing warts with a waterproof plaster before swimming.
• Do not touch the verrucae.

Besides, you should avoid it warts to scratch. Otherwise, you can transfer the contained viruses to other parts of your body or to other people.