Not only adults, children also face warts. Their appearance indicates the presence of papilloma viruses in the body. Warts in children are a benign formation that is the result of a weakened immune system of the baby.
Causes of warts in children
Adolescents and children are at risk, as the body weakens and immunity deteriorates due to changes in hormonal levels at this stage of life. Since this disease is a type of benign tumor, its progress and treatment should be under the supervision of a doctor. It is easy to get infected with papilloma viruses, they are transmitted from a carrier; They enter the body through diaper rash, small injuries, scratches and may not manifest themselves for a long time. In children, warts often appear on the surface of the skin, on the mucous membrane of the nose and larynx. The latent period of development lasts from one to six months after reproduction, the virus affects DNA cells;
Warts on a child's hands or other parts of the body appear as a result of:
- independent infection. If a child has a wart, scratching it can transfer the virus to healthy areas, including the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose;
- bornIf the genital organs of the mother are affected by papillomas, it can infect the baby during childbirth;
- through everyday objects. It can be other people's toys, clothes, shoes, an infected baby touching a healthy child, hugs.
The baby can also be infected through the placenta while in the womb.
The main causes of warts in children are:
- hormonal imbalance (typical of puberty);
- diseases that become chronic;
- frequent colds, for example, flu, ARVI, acute respiratory infections;
- stress, fatigue (characteristic for schoolchildren);
- vitamin deficiency (vitamin deficiency develops against this background);
- injuries that cause damage to the integrity of the skin, diaper rash;
- contact with a virus carrier;
- wearing smaller clothes (including shoes).
You can get human papillomavirus (HPV) through low activity, little physical activity, insufficient personal hygiene, visiting baths or swimming pools. Infection can occur at school, in transport, while walking on the street, in public places. Take note! Parents should teach their children to wash their hands with soap after going outside and damaging their skin.
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 include:
- simple. They are also called ordinary or vulgar. This is the most common type. If there are several of them, then they can be combined to form a root;
- straight (another name for youth). They often combine to form a single root, are usually small in size and can be arranged in a row;
- spines. They arise in the heel area, grow deep, which has a negative effect on the nerve endings;
- filiformes. Big, droopy, toe-like, natural skin tone.
If the skin in the affected area has a gray or brown color, it indicates the presence of a vulgar wart. Juvenile warts are yellow or dark red in color. Spines cause pain when walking, it is recommended not to delay a visit to the doctor. Filiform warts can appear on the face and neck, which not only causes discomfort, but also does not look aesthetic. Among the lists provided, there may be situations where the treatment of warts is carried out under the supervision of a doctor;
When to consult a doctor
The first symptoms are a reason to consult a dermatologist. Remember that warts in children do not go away by themselves, one root causes the formation of others; Such warts grow deep in the skin and cause discomfort, various diseases and health problems. The virus will weaken the child's immune system, he will be lethargic, inactive and often susceptible to various diseases. Qualified doctors work in a professional clinic, modern equipment and the most modern treatment methods are used. 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 an open area, the child should remove the wart immediately. For this, professional doctors use the following methods:
- operation;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser use;
- cryotherapy.
During the operation, 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, which lasts several weeks. This is necessary to prevent infection in the wound. The operation is performed in the clinic.
Electrocoagulation
The procedure involves the use of a special apparatus consisting of a loop-like electrode. The loop is heated by electric current, applied to the affected area and the papilloma is destroyed under the influence of high temperature.
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 area is treated with an antiseptic; A crust forms at the place of extraction, which disappears after a week (maximum 10 days). A scar may remain at the site of formation.
Laser application
Effective treatment method, non-contact. Laser rays penetrate deep into the skin, affect only 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 and complications. The advantage of the method is the absence of traces on the surface of the skin, which is important for open areas.
Cryotherapy
The procedure involves the use of liquid nitrogen, the wart is frozen under the influence of low temperature. The procedure does not cause bleeding, several sessions are required to completely remove the papilloma. After the procedure, a scar may remain, which turns into a crust over time at the site of formation and disappears. The procedure is not recommended for young children. Regardless of the method used, you should make every effort to strengthen the baby's immune system after the procedure. This will help prevent the re-formation of papillomas.
Treatment
Treatment of warts in children is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. The specialist can prescribe the removal of the papilloma and choose an intensive treatment course consisting of drugs. There are cases where warts on a child's leg are treated with a special patch, solution or folk remedies. Take note! 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.
Folk treatment
There are vegetables that have the same effect (freezing, removing inflammation, cauterization) as medicines and various procedures. A wart on a child's leg or hand - what can be used:
- potatoes. Use to compress at night;
- celandine. The juice is applied to the wart three times a day;
- celandine herb. It is mixed with medical vaseline and applied to the site of the disease;
- garlic. Wrap in a sterile napkin and apply papilloma for 20 minutes;
- apple cider vinegar. Water is mixed in a ratio of 2: 1, a tampon is applied to the affected area;
- aloe. Apply the sheet to the wart, wrap the area with a bandage, change the sheet after complete drying;
- honey and onion, mix honey with onion juice. If you are allergic to honey, this method is not recommended;
- tomatoes. Apply tomato pulp on the wart once a day.
Wormwood oil helps well; can also be mixed with olive oil. Lubricate the area 4 times a day. The use of any medical product should be under the supervision of a physician. Take note! If, after using folk remedies, the growth dried up and fell off, there is no guarantee that the wart was completely removed, 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, papillomas should be removed with extreme caution so that no scars remain (especially when it comes to the face area). In the first stage of treatment, a dermatologist can prescribe a mild ointment to be used at night; Medicines that stimulate the immune system can also be prescribed to the child. To remove papillomas on the face or back, experts recommend using laser therapy. This will prevent scarring after the procedure.
Tips for parents
To prevent the formation of warts in children, teach your child about hygiene, personal soap and towels from childhood. Parents should monitor how correctly and carefully the child carries out the recommendations. Hand washing is the first thing a child should do after going outside and before eating. You need to provide your child with healthy food. It should consist of products containing calcium, fluorine and iron. Include fermented dairy products, fish, grains, vegetables and fruits in your diet. Cereals like pearl barley and oatmeal. Food should contain a full range of vitamins and trace elements.
Walking in fresh air and doing sports are integral elements of children's life. This will help strengthen the baby's immunity. If a child is injured, for example, falls and a wound is formed, 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 condition worse.