What Causes Warts? The Link Between HPV and Skin Growths

What warts look like is known to everyone, many have faced the problem of the appearance of these unsightly growths, but few know that it is a viral skin disease.

What are warts?

They are caused by the human papillomavirus entering the skin. There are two types of warts: flat and simple. There is no age limit, anyone can find a dense nodule, and there are prerequisites for its appearance. The knot is usually located on exposed parts of the body, such as the hands, knees, face, and feet. Its size varies from 2 mm to several centimeters. Plantar warts are considered the most painful because if they have grown in width and, most importantly, deep in the skin of the foot, then when walking causes pain and discomfort.

Papilloma virus

The papillomavirus attacks the surface of the skin or areas of the body where there is a mucous membrane. Saying goodbye to this virus is no longer possible, since, generically speaking, it gets into the nervous system and until now safely exists there. Decreased immune status provokes its activity and, despite the fact that many people are infected with it, not all carriers of the virus develop warts.

This virus is remarkably well adapted, and a healthy person does not have any problems with excess growths and bulges on the skin. But as soon as the body fails, and no matter for what reason: with psycho-emotional agitation, or exacerbated chronic disease, the papillomavirus begins to actively act and appears in a variety of places.

They can be infected. That is why it is so important to follow the rules of hygiene in public places: in the store, where the cart for food is a breeding ground for infection, in the gym, in the sauna, etc. And, although the virus is not long-lived, it only survives for two to three hours in the environment, which is enough time to find an object to attack. People at particular risk include those with high sweating and those with skin sores. That is why it is so important to protect your hands and use gloves while working around the house, on the construction site, in the summer cottage, etc.

Adolescents are particularly prone to foot warts. What is this about? First of all, with the fact that the shoes they prefer are fashionable, inexpensive and often of poor quality. Synthetic materials from sneakers and shoes help spread the virus, and moist environments, comfortable temperatures, and damage to the feet are ideal factors for warts.

Should you be afraid of warts?

Although warts are benign formations, it is worth considering their appearance with suspicion. There are many varieties, and it all depends on the place where the neoplasm appeared, most of them do not pose a threat to life and health. Plantar warts have a very low percentage of oncopathogenic cases. But to ignore their appearance, too, should not, having contacted a doctor, it is necessary to undergo an examination and take measures to eliminate them, preferably at an early stage.

Self-medication in these cases can lead to recurrences and complications, so it is better to adhere to traditional medicine methods. Especially as there is a choice now.

Human papillomavirus has many variants, but there is a risk that the lesion will develop into a cancer. Thus, doctors are wary of papillomas on the uterus or in internal organs and recommend their removal. There is no definitive relationship when a viral infection appears in one of the viscera and warts appear on the feet. However, this does not prevent multiple types of the virus from infecting the same person at the same time.

Plantar warts foot pain

If the foot is infected with the virus, cells in the deep layers of the skin are affected, concentrating around the point of entry. The layer of epidermis thickens and deforms during reproduction, but at the same time there are no visible signs of the disease. Then the virions spread both deep and horizontal, the affected cells become keratinized, and neighboring tissues compress the warts on walking, causing pain.

On the surface of the skin, unlike conventional warts, plantar are not distinguished, they are located more inside the skin. When walking on these areas, pressure is applied, and the wart cannot grow otherwise.

Do you want to delete it? It all depends on the circumstances. Since this papilloma virus is contagious, it is better if it is eliminated, and the pain caused by the neoplasm during walking is not acceptable to many. But sometimes the wart disappears on its own, and this is due to an increase in immune status. The body copes with the virus itself.

If the warts are located on the foot, between the toes, they have a cone shape, resembling a dry callus. Otherwise, a different type of warts looks. On the foot, a crater is visible, around which there are many papillae-like growths that are located deep under the skin. The heel area and base of the fingers are affected. The color changes so that borders can be visualized and dark inclusions can be viewed. The pressure causes pain similar to that of calcaneal spur.

It happens that around the large warts appear many small. This is due to trauma, improper actions at removal, as the pathogen penetrates into the wounds adjacent to the main warts. The largest mass is located in the center, then new ones join it, forming a bumpy surface.

Even if the wart has been removed, it is not a fact that it will not reappear. Thus, in addition to surgery, antiviral therapy is recommended. If warts are not treated, they may persist for years and may not bother them for as long as time. Surgery is not without consequences, if the wart has deep roots, then after the operation, the person can not move for a certain time, his condition is painful. Some of these lesions do not need to be touched, but many have been removed. Consultation with a doctor is necessary, since only a specialist can make the right decision. Visual inspection can identify the type of mass and determine the most effective treatment.

Treatment

Cryotherapy, which is the elimination of warts by freezing with liquid nitrogen or dry ice, is a popular procedure.

The growth is lubricated with chemicals and disappears over time.
A procedure using electric current − electrocautery may be used.
But laser destruction is considered to be the most effective method. It is indicated for extensive disease if the virus has penetrated deep, but it is worth considering that the patient will not be able to move fully for 2 to 3 weeks.
Practice removal of warts using radio waves, ozone therapy.

There is no guarantee that there will be no recurrence of the disease, but after freezing, the risk of warts is higher, and after the laser - minimal.

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