Warts

Гінекологія Dermatology
Consultation of a dermatologist
770
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Follow-up consultation of a dermatologist
600
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Consultation of a dermatologist in English
1 200
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Follow-up consultation of a dermatologist in English
1 100
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Online of a dermatologist
690
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Online of a dermatologist in English
1 200
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Dermatoscopy (performed only at consultation)
480
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Ointmet application
200
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Taking materials of skin, subcutaneous tissue and soft tissue for pathology
500
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Treatment of purulent lesions of the skin
300
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Radiowave removal of 1 papilloma, milium, wart with anesthesia, I degree of complexity
550
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Radiowave removal of 1 papilloma, milium, wart with anesthesia (for 1 unit)
330
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Cryodestruction of warts, corns, palliloms, milliums, keratoms for 1 unit
500
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Laser mole (nevus) removing
1 600
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Laser papilloma/verruca removing (etc.) (Dermatology)
1 500
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Laser removal of papillomas (1 to 5 pieces) without anesthesia
1 200
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Laser removal of papillomas (6 to 10 pieces) without anesthesia
1 500
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Laser removal of papillomas (10 pcs or more) without anesthesia
1 600 UAH

Warts are benign neoplasms on the skin or integuments caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Depending on the location, they differ in appearance and clinical manifestations. In addition to pathogens, they also have several common features: they protrude above the surrounding surface, separated from the healthy skin surrounding them.

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Children often have them, as they are spread by contact. Sometimes they disappear by themselves, but this does not always happen. As a rule, if this dermatosis is not treated, it increases in size, appears on other parts of the body, and can significantly worsen the quality of life.

There is a danger that some of these neoplasms on the skin or the skin of the skin will transform into a malignant process, therefore, in the event of the growth, it will be useful to consult a dermatologist. In  Universum Clinic we quickly make an accurate diagnosis and choose the best method of treatment. 

Classification of warts

Professional dermatologists use a detailed and extensive classification of pathology according to the type of pathogen, external signs, and probable causes. In general clinical practice, a simplified version of skin manifestations of HPV infection is used.

Types of warts:

  1. Simple warts (Verrucae vulgares). Usually caused by HPV type 2, most common among children and adolescents. And, in about 70% of cases, warts on the hands and fingers belong to this category. If foci of papillomavirus infection are located near the edge of the nail plate or the cuticle, they are called verrucae subungual.
  2. Flat or juvenile (Verrucae planae, seu juvenilis). Their share is about 4% of episodes of HPV skin infection. Typical causative agents are papillomavirus types 3, 5, and 10. As a rule, they appear on the forearms, in the area of the lips, and on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.

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  1. Plantar warts (Verrucae plantares) account for up to 34% of cases. They are most often caused by HPV types 1, 2, and 4. They are located on those parts of the body that are subjected to regular pressure from the outside (feet, palms). Because of this, they have their external features, the nature of the flow.
  2. Acute condylomas (Condylomes accumine) are also called genital warts. They are localized exclusively on the mucous membranes of the genitals and the anus. It is caused by HPV of various types, among which there are high-risk oncogenic ones (types 16, 18, 36, and 45).
  3. Thread-like or papillomas occur on those parts of the body where there is no developed spiny layer of the epidermis. This is the thin skin of the armpits, and eyelids, in women - under the mammary glands.  

The peculiarity of papillomavirus infection is that it can gradually spread throughout the human body. That is, if Verrucae vulgares appeared on the hands and are ignored, thread-like warts may appear on the face after a few months. Visually imperceptible manifestations of HPV infection can also occur against this background: papillomatosis of the larynx, oral cavity, and bowenoid papulosis.

Because of such risks, you should not delay the consultation of a dermatologist in case of the appearance of any suspicious nodule on the body.

Signs and symptoms

What papillomavirus infection lesions look like depends on which parts of the body they originated in and whether they are exposed to external influences.

General features:

  • appear simultaneously from a single node, which gradually increases in size;
  • do not cause pain and cause, mainly, cosmetic discomfort;
  • new screenings may appear in the area of the initial nodule.

Next, we will consider in a little more detail the main characteristics that distinguish different types of neoplasms.

Signs of simple warts:

Occur on thick areas of the skin with a pronounced stratum corneum (fingers, hands, arms, legs).​

Characteristic features:

  • flattened papule with a diameter of 2–10 mm;
  • visibly rises above the surface of the skin;
  • rough hard surface;
  • painless;
  • color from the color of healthy skin to yellow-gray, brown;
  • are both single and multiple, confluent.
  • lesions near the nails are painful and can destroy the nail plate.

Signs of flat (youth warts)

Most often they appear in adolescence, in young men. 

Characteristic manifestations:

  • round, oval, or star papules;
  • diameter up to 3 mm;
  • slightly rise above the surface of the skin;
  • the surface is smooth;
  • do not hurt and do not cause unpleasant sensations;
  • they are flesh-colored or slightly brown, and a white ring of pigmented skin may form around the papule.

As a rule, Verrucae planae, seu juvenilis appear on the face, in the area of the lips, on the back of the forearms, and hands.

Signs of plantar warts

The peculiarity here is that the focus of papillomavirus infection is subjected to regular pressure from the outside.

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Manifestations of plantar and palmar foci are, in principle, similar:

  • the lesion is wide, reaching 2 cm in diameter;
  • as a rule, it appears at the transition of the skin of the foot into the heel (synonym - tread);
  • the surface is hard and rough;
  • when pressing (walking, squeezing an object in the hand), there is pain, sometimes severe;
  • nodes are single or multiple;
  • after cutting or other attempts to remove, the stomp often recurs;
  • they almost do not rise above the surrounding tissue as a result of regular flattening.

Plantar and palmar neoplasms, as a rule, most often prompt a person to come to a dermatologist and remove warts, because regular and severe pain while walking, while working, leads to a deterioration in the quality of life.

There are also atypical variants of Verrucae plantares in the form of notches.

Signs of acute condyloma

The appearance of such formations is determined by the features of the skin of the anogenital area. In such areas, the manifestations of HPV have characteristic visual signs:

  • neoplasms are located on the mucous membranes of the genitals, areas with thin skin;
  • are located on a thin stem or a wide base, the upper part is divided into several outgrowths that look like cauliflower or a rooster's comb;
  • able to cause pain in case of irritation, touch;
  • coloring from the color of normal skin to a dark shade.

Condylomas can also have the appearance of papules or spots but are always a source of infection to other people. It is highly recommended to consult a dermatologist or gynecologist (for men, a urologist) in the event of the appearance of any neoplasms in the genital area. 

Signs of filiform warts

These are typical papillomas that appear on thin skin: eyelids, lips, armpits, and skin under the mammary glands. Characteristic features:

  • nodules are soft;
  • size from 1–4 mm to 3 cm and more;
  • can have a leg;
  • the color is dark, pale, or the color of normal skin;
  • rise above the surrounding surface.

Thread-like papillomas cause cosmetic, psychological, and physical discomfort, and tend to increase and grow. You need to remove them without allowing them to grow, as large foci can leave scars.

Diagnostics

An experienced Universum clinic dermatologist usually has enough visual inspection and patient history data to establish the correct diagnosis. A dermatoscopy can be performed to clarify the situation.

In some cases, a histological examination, or laboratory typing of pathogens is required.

 

If oncogenic viruses dangerous for cancer are found in the tissues, it will be necessary to choose special treatment methods to minimize the risks.

Treatment

There are two options for eliminating the problem: surgical and conservative.
Based on the results of the diagnosis and the type of wart, the lesions can be treated using the following methods:

  • cytotoxic ointments and creams for nodes, without affecting healthy areas;
  • local antiviral agents;
  • cauterization of foci with liquid nitrogen (cryodestruction);
  • laser vaporization;
  • electrocoagulation;
  • sedatives (effective for juvenile warts);
  • immunostimulating agents;
  • antiviral drugs, inducers of endogenous interferon;
  • surgical excision of foci to the full depth.

To prevent relapses, the Universum clinic uses a combined approach. So, before cauterization, cryodestruction, or surgical removal of the neoplasm, and after these procedures, a course of immunostimulating therapy with specially selected drugs is prescribed.

Prevention

To prevent the appearance of warts, it is recommended:

  • carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene;
  • strengthen immunity with a healthy lifestyle;
  • balance nutrition with fat restriction and a sufficient amount of protein;
  • take a course of HPV vaccination;
  • use individual manicure tools and cosmetics.

Unfortunately, nowadays it is almost impossible to avoid infection with human papillomaviruses. But you can reduce the risk of developing pathology. And to avoid its progression and dangerous consequences, we recommend being examined by a dermatologist in case of any skin problems.

Universum Clinic specialists will help establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment on an individual basis. In this way, we will not only preserve the health and appearance of the skin but also protect other close people from infection.

Literature

  1. Cobb, M W. “Human papillomavirus infection.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology vol. 22,4 (1990): 547-66. doi:10.1016/0190-9622(90)70073-q
  2. Plasencia, J M. “Cutaneous warts: diagnosis and treatment.” Primary care vol. 27,2 (2000): 423-34. doi:10.1016/s0095-4543(05)70204-9.
  3. Dall'oglio, Federica et al. “Treatment of cutaneous warts: an evidence-based review.” American journal of clinical dermatology vol. 13,2 (2012): 73-96. doi:10.2165/11594610-000000000-00000.
  4. Zhu, Peiyao et al. “Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous warts (2022).” Journal of evidence-based medicine vol. 15,3 (2022): 284-301. doi:10.1111/jebm.12494.

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F. A. Q.
Why do warts appear?
  • causative agents of the process are human papillomaviruses;
  • transmitted from person to person during physical contact, through hygiene products, manicure accessories;
  • once on the skin, viruses can penetrate the cells of the epidermis, where they cause them to reproduce abnormally;
  • as a result, neoplasms appear, the appearance and symptoms of which depend on the localization of the focus of the infection.
Why are warts dangerous?
  • cause cosmetic defects that cause psychological discomfort;
  • the number of neoplasms on the body, and face, with deformation of the skin and tissues, may increase;
  • plantar and palmar warts disrupt the rhythm of life, and the human capacity for work;
  • some neoplasms are caused by HPV, which can lead to a cancerous, malignant process.
How to treat warts?
  • the method must be chosen individually;
  • the goal is to destroy the pathological focus so as not to harm healthy skin, not to leave scars, and avoid recurrence;
  • small single cells are treated with methods of local destruction, cytotoxic agents;
  • large, plantar nodes usually require surgical intervention;
  • it is often necessary to add immunomodulatory drugs to strengthen the body's defense against human papillomaviruses;
  • sometimes it is necessary to treat concomitant diseases (neurosis, diabetes, etc.).
Is it possible to tear off a wart?
  • such a desire arises if the neoplasm has a leg, but it is better not to do this;
  • there is a risk of bleeding, wound infection;
  • there is a high probability that the "root", the main focus of the viral infection, will remain and relapse will occur;
  • if the papilloma is caused by an oncogenic type of HPV, traumatization by detachment can accelerate the transformation of the process into a malignant one.
Which warts are dangerous?
  • single nodes that do not cause discomfort can be observed for several months so that they do not increase in size or number;
  • obvious signs of danger are the rapid increase of a node or papilloma, a change in shape, color, bleeding;
  • any skin neoplasms should be considered dangerous until a dermatologist's consultation and an examination in a clinic confirm the safety of the process.
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