Not only adults, but also children suffer from warts. Their appearance indicates the presence of papilloma viruses in the body. Warts in children are a benign formation that occurs due to a weakened immune system in the baby.
Causes of warts in children
Adolescents and children during puberty are at risk because during this phase of life the body becomes weaker due to changes in hormone levels and immunity decreases. Since this disease is a benign type of tumor, its course and treatment should be monitored by a doctor. It is easy to become infected with papilloma viruses; they are transmitted by the carrier. They enter the body through diaper rash, minor injuries and abrasions and may not manifest themselves for a long time. Warts often appear in children on the surface of the skin, the nasal mucosa and the larynx. The latency period of development lasts between one month and six months. After reproduction, the virus attacks DNA cells.
Warts in a child on the hands or other parts of the body arise due to:
- independent infection. If a child has a wart, he or she may scratch it, thereby spreading 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 birth;
- through everyday objects. This can be other people's toys, clothes, shoes, the touch of a healthy child by an infected baby, or hugs.
The baby can also become infected in the womb through the placenta.
The main causes of warts in children include:
- hormonal imbalances (typical of teenagers);
- illnesses that have become chronic;
- frequent colds, for example flu, ARVI, acute respiratory infections;
- Stress, fatigue (typical for schoolchildren);
- Lack of vitamins (against this background, vitamin deficiency develops);
- Injuries, diaper rash, leading to a violation of the integrity of the skin;
- communication with a carrier of the virus;
- Wearing smaller clothing (including shoes).
Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) can occur with low activity, low physical activity, inadequate personal hygiene or visiting bathhouses or swimming pools. Infection can occur at school, in transport, while walking on the street and in public places. Danger! Parents must teach their child from childhood to wash their hands with soap after going outside and breaking their skin.
Types of warts in children
A child's wart on a finger, arm or leg may consist of one or more. The most common types of warts in children include:
- simply. They are also called ordinary or vulgar. This is the most common type. If there are several of them, they can merge into one root;
- flat (another name for youthful). They often merge to form a root, which is usually small and may be lined up in a line.
- spines. They arise in the sole area, grow deep, which has a negative effect on the nerve endings;
- Filiformes. Big, flabby, finger-shaped, natural skin color.
If the skin in the affected area has a gray or brown hue, this indicates the presence of a common wart. Juvenile warts have a yellow or burgundy hue. Since the spine causes pain when walking, it is advisable not to postpone a visit to the doctor. Thread-like warts can appear on the face and neck, which not only cause discomfort but also look unaesthetic. In the presented list there may be situations when warts are removed in children; the treatment takes place under the supervision of a doctor.
When should you see a doctor?
The first signs are a reason to see a dermatologist. Remember that warts in children do not go away on their own; one formed papilloma can lead to the formation of others; they can unite to form one root. Such warts grow deep into the skin and cause discomfort, various diseases and health problems. The virus weakens the child's immune system, he becomes lethargic, inactive and is 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 select an effective treatment.
Wart removal in children
If the papilloma is in an open area, the child must immediately remove the wart. For this purpose, professional doctors use the following methods:
- Operation;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser use;
- Cryotherapy.
During surgery, warts in children are removed with 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 young children. Before the procedure begins, local anesthesia is administered and removal is performed with a scalpel. This is followed by the postoperative phase, which lasts several weeks. This is necessary to avoid infection of the wound. The operation is carried out in a clinic.
Electrocoagulation
The procedure uses a special device that consists of an electrode in the form of a loop. The loop is heated with electric current, applied to the affected area and under the influence of high temperatures the papilloma is destroyed.
In this way, you can remove a wart in a child under local or general anesthesia.
This is an effective treatment method; after the procedure, the area is treated with an antiseptic. A crust forms at the removal site and disappears after a week (maximum 10 days). A scar may remain at the site of origin.
Laser application
An effective treatment method that is contactless. The laser beams penetrate deep into the skin, only affect the affected area and there is no bleeding. This is a painless removal method, the procedure lasts a few minutes, the wound heals without side effects or complications. The advantage of the method is the absence of marks on the surface of the skin, which is important for open areas.
Cryotherapy
The procedure uses liquid nitrogen, the wart is frozen under the influence of low temperatures. The procedure does not cause bleeding; several sessions are required to completely remove the papilloma. A scar may remain; After the procedure, a blister appears at the site of origin, 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 need to make every effort to strengthen the baby's immune system. This will help prevent papillomas from forming again.
Treatment
Treatment of warts in children is carried out under medical supervision. The specialist can prescribe both the removal of the papilloma and choose intensive drug treatment. There are cases when warts on a child's leg are treated with a special plaster, solution or folk remedies. Danger! Folk remedies serve as a preventive or complementary method to the main drug treatment, but do not serve as a separate way to get rid of warts.
Folk remedies
There are vegetables that have the same effect (freezing, relieving inflammation, cauterizing) as medications and various procedures. A wart on a child's leg or hands - what can be used:
- Potato. Make a compress out of it at night;
- Celandine. The juice is applied to the wart three times a day;
- Celandine grass. It is mixed with medical petroleum jelly 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 2: 1 with water, a swab is applied to the affected area;
- Aloe. Place the cloth on the wart, wrap the area with a bandage, and change the cloth after it dries completely.
- Mix honey and onion, honey with onion juice. This method is not recommended if you are allergic to honey;
- Tomato. Apply tomato paste to the wart once a day.
Wormwood oil helps well; it can also be mixed with olive oil. Lubricate the area four times daily. The use of medical products must be carried out under medical supervision. Danger! If the wart has dried up and fallen off after using folk remedies, there is no guarantee that the wart has been completely eradicated and therefore will appear again soon.
Wart on the back, face, nose - how to treat them?
These are specific areas where the skin is delicate and delicate. Here it is necessary to remove papillomas with extreme caution so that no scars remain (especially in the facial area). The first stage of treatment consists of medication; a dermatologist may prescribe a gentle ointment that should be used at night. The child may also be prescribed medications that stimulate the immune system. To remove papillomas on the face or back, experts recommend using laser therapy. This will help you avoid scarring after the procedure.
Tips for parents
To avoid the formation of warts in children, teach your child hygiene and the use of body soap and towels from an early age. Parents should monitor how correctly and carefully the child follows their recommendations. Washing hands is the first thing a child should do after going for a walk outside and before eating. It is necessary to provide your child with healthy food. It should consist of products containing calcium, fluorine and iron. Include fermented milk products, fish, grains, vegetables and fruits in your diet. Grains such as pearl barley and oatmeal. Food must contain a full range of vitamins and microelements.
Walks in the fresh air and sport are an integral part of a child's life. This will help boost the baby's immunity. If a child is injured, for example, falls and a wound forms, treat him 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 as this may make the situation worse.