Not only adults but also children face warts. Their appearance indicates the presence of papilloma viruses in the body. Warts in children are a benign formation resulting from a weakened immune system of the baby.
Causes of warts in children
Teenagers and children in puberty are at risk, because at this stage of life, due to changes in hormonal levels, the body becomes weak and immunity deteriorates. Since this disease is a type of benign tumor, its course and treatment must be monitored by a doctor. It is easy to get infected with papilloma viruses; They enter the body through diaper rash, minor injuries, abrasions, and may not manifest themselves for a long time. Warts in children often appear on the surface of the skin, mucous membrane of the nose and larynx. The latent period of development lasts from one month to six months after reproduction, the virus affects the DNA cells.
Warts in a child on the hands or other parts of the body appear as a result of:
- independent infection. If the child has a wart, he can scratch it, transferring the virus to healthy areas, including the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose;
- from the mother. If the mother's genital organs are affected by papillomas, she can infect the baby during childbirth;
- through everyday objects. These can be foreign toys, clothes, shoes, touching an infected baby with a healthy child, hugs.
The baby can also become infected through the placenta while in the mother's womb.
The main causes of warts in children include:
- hormonal imbalance (typical of teenagers);
- diseases that have become chronic;
- frequent colds, for example, flu, ARVI, acute respiratory infections;
- stress, fatigue (typical for students);
- lack of vitamins (vitamin deficiency develops against this background);
- injuries, diaper rash, leading to a violation of the integrity of the skin;
- communication with a carrier of the virus;
- wearing smaller clothes (including shoes).
With low activity, low physical activity, insufficient personal hygiene or visiting baths or pools, you can get infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV). Contagion can happen at school, in transport, when walking on the street, in public places. Pay attention! Parents should teach their child from childhood to wash their hands with soap after going outside and after skin damage.
Types of warts in children
A wart on a child's finger, hand or foot can be one or several. The main types of warts in children include:
- simple. They are also called ordinary or vulgar. This is the most common type. If there are several of them, then they can merge to form a single root;
- flat (another name for youthful). They often merge to form a single root, usually small in size and can be arranged in a line;
- spikes. They arise in the area of the sole, grow deep, which negatively affects the nerve endings;
- filamentous. Big, saggy, finger shaped, natural skin color.
If the skin in the affected area has a gray or brown tint, this indicates the presence of a vulgar wart. Juvenile warts have a yellow or burgundy shade. Spikes cause pain when walking, it is recommended not to delay the visit to the doctor. Thread-like warts can appear on the face and neck, which not only cause discomfort, but also look unaesthetic. Among the presented list, there may be situations in which the treatment of warts is carried out under the supervision of a doctor;
When to see a doctor
The first signs are a reason to consult a dermatologist. Remember that warts in children do not disappear on their own, one formed papilloma will lead to the formation of others, they can unite to form one root. Such warts grow deep into the skin, causing discomfort, various diseases and health problems. The virus will deplete the child's immune system, he will become lethargic, inactive and often susceptible to various diseases. The professional clinic employs qualified doctors, uses modern equipment and the latest treatment methods. Make an appointment with a dermatologist, he will conduct an examination and choose an effective treatment.
Removal of warts in children
If the papilloma is in the open, the child should immediately remove the wart. To do this, professional doctors use the following methods:
- operation;
- electrocoagulation;
- use of laser;
- cryotherapy.
During surgery, warts are removed in children using a scalpel. In all other cases, special equipment is used. The choice of removal method depends on various factors: benign or malignant formation, its "age", location, multiple or single, etc.
Operation
This method does not apply to small children. Before starting the procedure, local anesthesia is administered and removal is performed with a scalpel. Then comes the postoperative period, the duration of which reaches several weeks. This is necessary to avoid infection in the wound. The operation is performed in a clinic.
Electrocoagulation
The procedure involves the use of a special apparatus consisting of an electrode shaped like a loop. The loop is heated with the help of electric current, which is applied to the affected area, and under the influence of high temperature, the papilloma is destroyed.
You can remove a wart from a child in this way under local or general anesthesia.
This is an effective method of treatment, after the procedure the place is treated with an antiseptic. A crust forms at the site of removal, which disappears after a week (maximum 10 days). A scar may remain at the site of formation.
Laser application
An effective method of treatment that is non-contact. Laser rays penetrate deep into the skin, affecting only the affected area and there is no bleeding. This is a painless method of removal, the procedure lasts a few minutes, the wound heals without side effects and complications. The advantage of the method is the absence of traces on the surface of the skin, which is important for exposed areas.
Cryotherapy
The procedure involves the use of liquid nitrogen, the wart is frozen under the influence of low temperatures. The procedure does not cause bleeding, several sessions are needed to completely remove the papilloma. After the procedure, a scar may remain, a blister appears at the site of formation, which over time turns into a crust and disappears. The procedure is not recommended for small children. Regardless of the method used, after the procedure you should make every effort to strengthen the baby's immune system. This will help to avoid re-formation of papillomas.
Treatment
Treatment of warts in children is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. The specialist can prescribe both the removal of the papilloma and choose an intensive course of treatment consisting of drugs. There are cases when warts on the child's legs are treated with a special patch, solution or with the help of folk remedies. Pay attention! Folk remedies act as a preventive or additional method to the main drug treatment, but do not act as a separate way to get rid of warts.
People's funds
There are vegetables that have the same effect (freezing, relieving inflammation, burning) as drugs and various procedures. Wart on the leg or hands of the child - what can be used:
- potatoes. Use it to make a compress at night;
- yellow flowers. The juice is applied to the wart three times a day;
- yellow grass. It is mixed with medical vaseline and applied to the site of the disease;
- garlic. Wrap in a sterile napkin and apply to the papilloma for 20 minutes;
- apple cider vinegar. It is mixed with water 2: 1, a tampon is applied to the sore spot;
- aloe. Put the sheet on the wart, wrap the place with a bandage, change the sheet after complete drying;
- honey and onion, mix honey with onion juice. This method is not recommended if you are allergic to honey;
- tomato. Apply tomato paste on the wart once a day.
Wormwood oil helps well, it can also be mixed with olive oil. Lubricate the area 4 times a day. The use of any medicinal product should be under the supervision of a physician. Pay attention! If, after using folk remedies, the growth has dried up and fallen off, there is no guarantee that the wart has been completely eradicated, it may remain in the middle, so it will soon appear again.
Warts on the back, face, nose - how to treat
These are special areas where the skin is delicate and sensitive. Here, it is necessary to remove the papillomas extremely carefully so as not to leave scars (especially when it comes to the face area). The first stage of treatment is medication; the dermatologist may prescribe a gentle ointment to be used at night. Medicines that stimulate the immune system may also be prescribed to the child. To remove papillomas on the face or back, experts recommend using laser therapy. This will allow you to avoid scars after the procedure.
Advice for parents
To avoid the formation of warts in children, teach your child hygiene, the use of personal soap and towels from childhood. Parents should monitor how correctly and carefully the child follows their recommendations. Hand washing is the first thing a child should do after going outside and before eating. It is necessary to provide your child with healthy nutrition. It should consist of products containing calcium, fluorine and iron. Include fermented dairy products, fish, grains, vegetables and fruits in your diet. Grains such as pearl barley and oats. Food should contain a full range of vitamins and trace elements.
Walking in the fresh air and playing sports are an integral part of a child's life. This will help strengthen the baby's immunity. If a child is injured, for example, falls and a wound forms, treat it with an antiseptic. Minimum stress - maximum benefit for the baby. If a wart appears, make an appointment with a pediatric dermatologist. Do not self-medicate, this can make the situation worse.