Not only adults but also children experience warts. Their appearance indicates the presence of papillomaviruses in the body. Children's warts are benign formations, the result of the baby's weakened immune system.
Causes of warts in children
Adolescents and children going through puberty are at risk, because during this period of life, due to changes in hormone levels, the body weakens and immunity deteriorates. Since this disease is a benign tumor, its course and treatment must be monitored by a doctor. You can easily get infected with the papillomavirus, which is transmitted from the carrier. They enter the body through diaper rash, minor injuries, and abrasions, and may not appear for a long time. Warts in children often appear on the surface of the skin, nasal mucosa and larynx. The latent development period lasts from one to six months after reproduction, the virus affects DNA cells.
Warts on the hands or other parts of the child's body appear as a result of:
- independent infection. If the child has a wart, he can scratch it and transmit the virus to healthy areas, including the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose;
- from mother. If the mother's genitals are affected by papillomas, she can infect the baby during childbirth;
- through everyday objects. It can be other people's toys, clothes, shoes, touching an infected baby to a healthy child, hugging.
The baby can also become infected through the placenta while in the womb.
The main causes of warts in children are:
- hormonal imbalance (typical of teenagers);
- diseases that have become chronic;
- frequent colds, such as influenza, ARVI, acute respiratory infections;
- stress, fatigue (typical for schoolchildren);
- vitamin deficiency (a vitamin deficiency develops against this background);
- injuries, diaper rash, which leads to disruption of the integrity of the skin;
- communication with the carrier of the virus;
- wearing smaller clothing (including shoes).
You can become infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) with low activity, little physical activity, inadequate personal hygiene, or visiting a spa or swimming pool. Infection can occur at school, in traffic, while walking on the street, in public places. Take note! From an early age, parents should teach their children to wash their hands with soap after going outside and after having a skin injury.
Types of warts in children
A child may have one or more warts on a finger, arm or leg. The main types of warts in children are:
- simple. Also called common or vulgar. This is the most common type. If there are several of them, they can merge into one root;
- apartment (another name for youth). They often merge to form a single root, are usually small in size and can line up in a row;
- spikes. They arise in the area of the sole, grow deep, which negatively affects the nerve endings;
- filiform. Large, 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 are yellow or burgundy. Spines cause pain when walking, so it is not recommended to postpone a visit to the doctor. Filiform warts can appear on the face and neck, which not only causes discomfort, but also looks aesthetically pleasing. Among the presented list, there may be situations when children's warts are performed under the supervision of a doctor.
When to see a doctor
The first signs are a reason to see a dermatologist. Remember that children's warts do not disappear on their own, and one papilloma that has developed can lead to the development of others; Such warts grow deep into the skin, causing discomfort, various diseases and health problems. The virus depletes the child's immune system, makes him lethargic, inactive, and often susceptible to various diseases. The professional clinic is staffed by qualified doctors, uses modern equipment and the latest treatment methods. Make an appointment with a dermatologist, he will perform the examination and select an effective treatment.
Removal of warts in children
If the papilloma is in an open area, the child should immediately remove the wart. For this, professional doctors use the following methods:
- operation;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser use;
- cryotherapy.
During surgery, warts are removed with a scalpel in children. In all other cases, special equipment is used. The choice of removal method depends on many factors: benign or malignant formation, its "age", location, multiple or single, etc.
Operation
This method does not apply to small children. Before the procedure, a local anesthetic is administered and removed with a scalpel. After that comes the postoperative period, the duration of which reaches several weeks. This is necessary to avoid infection in the wound. The surgery is performed in a clinic.
Electrocoagulation
During the procedure, a special device consisting of a loop-shaped electrode must be used. The loop is heated with electric current, applied to the affected area, and the papilloma is destroyed under the influence of high temperature.
In this way, you can remove the wart from the child under local or general anesthesia.
This is an effective method of treatment after the procedure, the area is treated with an antiseptic. A crust forms at the place of removal, which disappears after a week (maximum 10 days). A scar may remain at the site of formation.
Laser application
An effective treatment method that is non-contact. The laser beams penetrate deep into the skin, affecting only the affected area, and there is no bleeding. This is a painless removal method, the intervention takes a few minutes, the wound heals without side effects and complications. The advantage of the method is that there are no traces on the surface of the skin, which is important in open areas.
Cryotherapy
During the procedure, liquid nitrogen is used, and 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. After the procedure, a scar may remain, a blister appears at the site of formation, which turns into a crust and disappears over time. The procedure is not recommended for small children. Regardless of the method used, every effort should be made to strengthen the baby's immune system after the procedure. This helps to avoid the recurrence of papillomas.
Treatment
Children's warts are treated under the supervision of a doctor. The specialist can prescribe the removal of the papilloma and an intensive treatment consisting of drugs. There are cases when warts on a child's leg are treated with a special plaster, solution or folk remedies. Take note! Folk remedies work as a preventive or additional method in addition to the main drug treatment, but they are not a separate way to get rid of warts.
Folk remedies
There are vegetables that have the same effect (freezing, anti-inflammatory, cauterizing) as drugs and various procedures. A wart on a child's leg or hand - what it can be used for:
- potato. Use it to make a nighttime poultice;
- St. John's wort. The juice is applied to the wart three times a day;
- celandine grass. Mixed with medical vaseline, it is applied to the site of the disease;
- garlic. Wrap it in a sterile napkin and apply it to the papilloma for 20 minutes;
- apple cider vinegar. Mix it with water in a 2: 1 ratio, apply a tampon to the affected area;
- aloe. Apply the sheet to the wart, wrap the area with a bandage, replace the sheet after it is completely dry;
- honey and onion, mix the honey with the 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 medical product can only take place under the supervision of a doctor. Take note! If the outgrowth has dried up and fallen off after using folk remedies, there is no guarantee that the wart has been completely removed, it may remain in the middle, so it will reappear soon.
Warts on the back, face, nose - how to treat them
These are special areas where the skin is delicate and sensitive. Here, papillomas must be removed with extreme care so as not to leave scars (especially when it comes to the facial area). The first stage of treatment is medication, the dermatologist can prescribe a gentle ointment to be used at night. Medicines that stimulate the immune system can also be prescribed for the child. To remove papillomas on the face or back, experts recommend using laser therapy. This allows you to avoid scarring after the procedure.
Tips for parents
To prevent the development of warts in children, teach your child about hygiene, the use of personal soap and towels from childhood. Parents should monitor how correctly and carefully the child follows their recommendations. Washing hands is the first thing a child should do when walking outside and before eating. It is necessary to provide your child with a healthy diet. It should consist of products containing calcium, fluorine and iron. Include fermented dairy products, fish, grains, vegetables and fruits in your diet. Cereals such as pearl barley and oatmeal. Food should contain the full range of vitamins and microelements.
Walking in the fresh air and playing sports are an integral part of a child's life. This helps to strengthen the baby's immunity. If a child is injured, such as a fall and a wound, 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, it can make the situation worse.