Flat Warts

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Flat warts are tumor-like masses on skin, slightly elevated above its surface. They are called flat because they look like a flat growth resembling a small nettles sting or a light mole. Flat warts are also called juvenile warts because they occur in childhood and adolescence, mostly in adolescence. And over time, during puberty, they disappear on their own and occur no more.

Flat warts are usually located on the face, on the neck, on legs, on hands and on fingers of a young man or woman. Moreover, they appear on the back of the hands or feet, but not on the plantar and palm.

Causes of Flat Warts Occurrence

The main reason for the appearance of flat warts is the infection of the body by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus leads to proliferations on skin in form of HPV warts.

But remember what you learned from the previous articles about the general warts causes: the fact of human infection with HPV does not mean mandatory appearance of the disease, i.e., not all people get warts after infection. It all depends on the immune level, both of general body immunity and local immunity – on the face, hands or feet. And the main factor for the development of the disease in this case is a predisposing factor.

For example, the predisposing factors to the appearance of flat warts on face for young people can be the beginning of the use of razors, resulting in injury to the face skin, of flat warts on the neck – neglecting the rules of hygiene (dirty skin), and of flat warts on hands and legs – sweating. And common issues – respiratory infections and common colds – lead to the overall reduction of body defenses and activation of the HPV virus on skin.

Another important point is that bodies of young people undergo hormonal changes that result in slightly reduced immunity, excess sebum production, appearance of pimples on skin (acne), excessive sweating and other changes that predispose to the development of HPV on the surface of the body.

Clinical Picture

Clinical picture and manifestations of the disease are simple. On the skin of the face, neck, on the back of the hands or the lower part of the legs appear flat round or oval elevations of 1-2 mm above the skin and of 1 to 3 mm in diameter, very rarely – up to 9 mm. Color of the growths is from skin color to pinkish brown or yellowish pink. Often, flat warts merge on the skin in large groups. The appearance of flat warts may be often accompanied by itching.

Remember: flat warts never appear on the skin of the palms and soles of the feet and in the groin. In addition, they never occur in people older than 40. It is always a juvenile type of warts associated with the beginning of hormonal changes in the human body, as well as with the first period of the HPV virus activation in humans, after which immunity to this virus usually develops, and later this type of warts never occurs again.

Pictures of Flat Wartsflat warts on face picturesflat warts pictures

Flat Warts Treatment

Usually flat warts disappear by themselves after some time. Usually a month or two, sometimes up to six months. But sometimes you want to remove them quickly, and there are several solutions for treatment for flat warts.

These are the indications when you should pay attention and begin medicinal treatment of a flat wart:

  • Flat wart began to grow rapidly;
  • Other warts began to appear around, merging into groups;
  • Ulceration appears on the wart, the growth bleeds;
  • When a wart is of inhomogeneous color.

Now let’s learn how to get rid of flat warts on different parts of the body.

Treatment of Flat Warts on Face

If they do not grow in size and in number, you can just observe them without treatment. If they bother you and cause discomfort, flat warts on face are removed by laser resurfacing or radio waves.

But in no case by liquid nitrogen or electrocoagulation. Why? Because facial skin is thin and after removing warts by invasive methods such as electrocautery, a noticeable scar will remain on the face for life. Is it worth it to remove something that in some time would usually disappear by itself?

One of the options for the treatment of flat warts on face is the use of unconventional methods:

  1. Celandine. Tear a fresh celandine (by breaking its stem) and smear the yellow juice on the entire surface of the wart. Repeat this procedure daily two times a day until the disappearance of the warts from the face. If fresh celandine is not available, you can apply a gauze pad or a cotton ball soaked with an aqueous infusion of dried celandine.
  2. Garlic. Cut a slice of garlic and apply it to the wart. Do it two times a day, for example, after work and before going to bed.

In general, it is not recommended to treat flat warts on face on your own, so as not to hurt yourself.

Treatment of Flat Warts on Hands and Legs

And in case of localization on hands flat wart treatment can be extended by using more aggressive methods such as liquid nitrogen or electrocautery.

All other means are the same that the solutions for flat wart removal from the face, described above.

Children Flat Warts – Treatment and Peculiarities

Generally, all the main provisions and treatment regimens that have been mentioned above for adolescents also apply to children.

But if you use celandine for the treatment, remember that it is a poisonous plant. Therefore, in no case do not let the child ingest it, and be sure to make him or her wash the hands before eating in order to wash away all celandine from the skin.

Another important point is that small children are also not recommended to use the aggressive techniques of flat warts removal – electrocoagulation and liquid nitrogen, because they can lead to the formation of visible scars on the skin, especially on the face or neck.

Means of Immunity Improvement

Since one of the contributing factors in the development of flat warts is reduced immunity, you should definitely use all means for its improvement:

  • Tincture of Ginseng or Eleutherococcus – 30 drops 2 times a day before meals;
  • Herbs infusions – mint, thyme, currant leaves, hips, red bilberry, cranberry, and so on;
  • Honey (if you are not allergic);
  • Multivitamins.

Prevention of Flat Warts

It is indeed an important section, as it’s better to prevent the disease now than to treat it later. Therefore, in order to avoid flat warts on you or your child, follow such rules:

  • Comply with the rules of hygiene;
  • Use your personal hygiene items, slippers, towels, etc.;
  • Do not wear too tight or too warm clothes;
  • Strengthen your immune system and lead a healthy lifestyle.

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