Warts in newborns: causes and methods of treatment

Folklore attributes the appearance of warts to touching frogs or toads. But in fact, Verruca vulgaris or vulgar warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus. Warts are contagious and can be passed on to other people, especially through wet or broken skin.

Most often, parents come to a dermatologist at the Miracle Doctor clinic to remove a child’s wart when they are concerned about:

• the appearance of warts, especially on the face of a child;
• growth of large warts;
• the growth of a large number of warts on the hands or feet;
• reappearance of the wart after removal;
• discomfort and pain if a wart is on a child’s foot.

When all the traditional methods for removing a wart have already been tried and have not brought results, the parents decide to remove the wart from the child in the dermatologist’s office.

Why do warts appear?

The appearance of warts is caused by the activity of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the child’s blood through scratches or wounds. It may not manifest itself for a long time, but if the immune system malfunctions, it begins to change the structure of epidermal cells and leads to the formation of growths on the skin. Many factors can provoke a decrease in immunity:

• stress;
• overweight;
• lack of minerals and vitamins;
• hypothermia of the body;
• frequent colds;
• hormonal changes during adolescence.

Warts in children: causes, symptoms, treatment

General information

Warts are benign formations on the skin or mucous membranes that arise as a result of infection with papillomavirus. Warts typically occur in children or teenagers with weakened immune systems. The formations have different appearances, depending on the location and age of the child.

Causes of warts

Warts are the result of infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is one of the most common viruses in the world, with more than 100 strains. Some strains lead to the appearance of warts. It is quite simple to become infected with the virus - it enters the body from the carrier through microtraumas, abrasions, and diaper rash. The virus may not manifest itself immediately after infection; it can live in the body asymptomatically for some time. This period can last up to six months. After this, the virus begins to multiply in the body.

A child can become infected with HPV in public places (playgrounds, public transport, swimming pool), in contact with other people, as well as through household items. In addition, the virus can be transmitted to the child by the mother during pregnancy.

It is worth noting that children will not always develop warts if they are infected with HPV. As a rule, they occur with weakened immunity and in combination with a number of other factors:

• stress;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
• avitaminosis;
• unbalanced diet;
• uncomfortable shoes (in case of plantar warts);
• hormonal changes;
• chronic diseases;
• frequent colds.

Types and symptoms of warts

There are different types of warts, which determines their location on the child’s body.

Types of warts:

• ordinary, or vulgar;
• plantar, or spines;
• youthful, or flat;
• acrochords, or filamentous;
• genital or condylomas.

Let's look at each of these types in more detail.

Regular

warts are the most common. They have a round appearance, similar to a ball, rising above the skin, rough to the touch. As a rule, they appear on the arms, legs, back, and knees. Hair growth may be observed in the central part of the wart. Such formations do not itch and do not cause any discomfort. If there are several such warts on the body, then among them one can distinguish one large “mother” and several smaller ones. The color of warts vulgaris is usually flesh-colored to light brown.

Plantar

usually localized on the foot under the big toe. Outwardly, they resemble dark gray calluses, have a rounded appearance, a dense structure and a deep root. These warts may hurt while walking.

Youth

warts rise slightly above the skin and are without a stalk, have an irregular shape and a flat, smooth surface. May be pigmented. Such warts appear in children over 5 years of age, on the neck, face, hands and legs. A characteristic feature of such formations is several growths in one area of ​​the body.

Acrochords

appear in places near the mucous membrane on the face near the eyes, nose, mouth, and can also appear in the armpits. They do not differ in color from the surrounding skin, but have an elongated shape and are capable of growing quickly. Such warts can be injured very easily and often cause discomfort.

Condylomas

appear on thin skin, mucous membranes and genitals. Genital warts have a pink papillary structure and consist of multiple neoplasms.

Usually there are no other symptoms other than visual detection. To detect warts on a child's body, you need to regularly examine his body while bathing or changing clothes.

Treatment of warts in children

The appearance of warts on a child’s body is a reason to contact a pediatric dermatologist. Such formations do not go away on their own, and treatment consists of removing them. It is worth noting that removing a wart does not eliminate the cause of its appearance, since there is no cure for the human papillomavirus.

Nowadays, there are several methods for removing warts.

• cryodestruction;
• electrocoagulation (removal using electric current);
• laser removal;
• surgical removal.

Cryodestruction method

consists of cauterizing the wart with liquid nitrogen. Removal occurs in several procedures (up to four). This method is recommended for older children.

With electrocoagulation

warts are killed by electric current. On the 2-3rd day after removal, a crust forms at the site of the wart, which falls off on the 5-7th day after the procedure. The manipulation is carried out under local anesthesia. This removal method is not suitable for plantar warts.

Advantages of the laser method

removal is that it does not cause complications and does not leave scars. This method eliminates the possibility of infection. The manipulation takes a few minutes and is performed under local anesthesia.

Surgical method

consists of excision of the formation with a scalpel. The procedure takes place under local anesthesia. The wound that results from the procedure takes up to two weeks to heal and often leaves a scar. This removal method is usually not used for young children.

Prevention of warts

An important part of prevention is HPV vaccination. There are two vaccines that can protect against several strains of the virus - Cervarix and Gardasil. The first protects against strains 16 and 18, and the second protects against strains 6, 11, 16 and 18. By protecting your child from HPV infection, you minimize the risk of certain types of warts.

In addition, prevention of the appearance of formations consists of observing the rules of personal hygiene, good nutrition, and physical activity.

Teach your child to always wash their hands after walking and before eating. Provide your baby with a varied diet, which should include fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, and dairy products. This way you will provide your child with a complete set of vitamins and microelements.

Sports and walks in the fresh air will help strengthen your baby's immunity.

Types of warts

In shape, growths in children can be round, thread-like, oval or asymmetrical. Doctors distinguish several types of warts, which differ in color, size, and structure:

• Vulgar:
  most often formed on the hands and can be either single or in the form of merging clusters. They look like small, towering growths with a rough surface and clear contours.
• Palmoplantar:
  Large growths on the soles or palms that resemble calluses. Usually they are single and grow deeply into the tissue, forming painful growths with a rigid structure.
• Juvenile:
  can occur on any part of the body. Their distinctive features are their uneven shape, smooth surface and rapid keratinization.
• Pointed:
  grow on the mucous membranes and look like rounded formations, similar to cauliflower.

Diagnostics

Before starting treatment for warts, the doctor performs an external examination of the child and determines the type of tumor. In some cases, the patient may be referred for a biopsy (if there is a suspicion of oncology) or for a PCR test (a method that detects the DNA of the HPV pathogen in a person’s blood). To clarify the diagnosis, dermatoscopy is performed.

Wart removal methods

Treatment of warts includes a set of measures aimed at suppressing the activity of the virus and safely removing growths. Viral warts are often accompanied by increased sweating. In such situations, additional therapy is prescribed to get rid of excessive sweating.

To remove warts in children, the safest and most painless methods are chosen:

• cryodestruction – helps remove growths by freezing them with liquid nitrogen;
• chemical destruction - performed by treating formations with alkali or acid (used only for children over 12 years old);
• electrocoagulation – exposure to electric current;
• radio wave method using the Surgitron apparatus - eliminates warts due to the action of radio waves;
• micropulse laser PinPointe FootLaser – eliminates skin formations using a laser beam.

Laser removal of warts in children

At the Podology Clinic, warts are removed from children using the unique and only laser device in Moscow, PinPointe FootLaser.
A micropulse laser cuts and seals the capillaries that feed the wart, it stops growing and after some time dries up and falls off. Laser therapy is an absolutely painless and effective method for removing skin tumors! Several sessions will allow you to get rid of small elements forever without burns or relapses; large ones will require at least 3-4 visits to the doctor. Our center employs qualified dermatologists who will painlessly remove any type of formation. An individual approach, the use of modern laser equipment, innovative treatment methods that are painless and safe – these are the advantages of the clinic that will effectively solve any dermatological problem in a child.

Wart removal

If parents rule out severe chronic diseases in the child, as well as inflammation at the site of the planned removal, which are contraindications for the procedure, no special preparation is required. Removal can be done right on the day of your appointment with a dermatologist.

The methods used in the clinic are bloodless and minimally invasive. Infection of the wound during the procedure is excluded, since during cryotherapy the integrity of the skin tissue is preserved, and with the radio wave method, sterile attachments are used.

To prevent the wound from becoming infected in the future, it is extremely important to follow the recommendations of your doctor:

• do not touch the wound with your hands and do not allow friction with clothing;
• do not wet, do not apply cosmetics or other chemical irritants;
• treat the skin with an antiseptic;
• When healing after the formation of a dry crust, do not soak it or tear it off.

Whatever type of treatment is chosen, it should be remembered that removing warts is only getting rid of the external manifestations of the presence of the papilloma virus in the body. Therefore, warts can always return.

Prevention

There are no methods to guarantee the absence of warts. You can only reduce the likelihood of their occurrence:

• It is imperative to wear shoes when visiting a swimming pool, bathhouse, sauna, or public showers.
• At the end of any water procedures, you should wipe your feet dry.
• It is unacceptable to wear socks or warm closed shoes on wet feet.
• It is also recommended to choose shoes appropriate for the weather to prevent your feet from sweating. Warmth and humidity are ideal conditions for warts to appear.
• You should not touch other people's warts (children and even teenagers may do this simply out of curiosity).

For any new growths on the skin, it is better to show the child to a pediatrician or dermatologist.

Pediatrician appointment prices:

Mosaic plantar warts

Mosaic warts are a special type of neoplasm. They are plaques, so-called clusters, formed as a result of the fusion of many small plantar warts tightly pressed together. The arrangement of the plaques resembles a mosaic (hence their name).

This formation is usually observed in a small and localized area. It can reach a diameter of about 6-7 cm. In the early stages of development, mosaic warts look like small black punctures. As they develop, they take on the appearance of a white, yellowish or light brown cauliflower, with dark spots in the middle. These spots are formed due to thrombosis of blood vessels.

This type of wart is quite rare. They usually affect the hands or soles of the feet, and are especially common under the toes. Unlike simple plantar warts, mosaic warts cause little or no pain when walking because they are flatter and more superficial.

Mosaic warts are highly contagious. They are difficult to treat due to the multiplicity of foci of viral infection. The success of treatment is facilitated by its timely initiation. As a rule, mosaic growths are prone to recurrence even after surgical removal.

What not to do with formations

We already know that warts are caused by HPV infection. And this virus is dangerous because it leads to malignant tissue degeneration. Therefore, warts cannot be:

• Expose to excessive sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation is harmful even to healthy skin, and even more so to infected skin.
• It is necessary to protect warts from mechanical damage. If suddenly it happens that the wart is torn off, you need to treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide, apply a bactericidal patch and observe. At the first signs of inflammation or growth, consult a doctor immediately.
• Do not cut growths from your fingers with a blade or scissors.

Periungual plantar warts

Periungual warts are small, rough formations with cracks on the surface, located on the hands and feet of a person, namely near the nail plate or deep under it. Externally they resemble cauliflower heads.

They can be flat, pointed or hemispherical. As a rule, periungual warts are gray, but they can also be flesh-colored. They are not too dense, like simple plantar ones, but have a fairly deep root.

This disease mainly affects children and young people. The main factor in contracting the infection is skin microtraumas around the nail. At particular risk are those who bite their nails and pet stray animals, as well as people who carelessly remove cuticles, use undisinfected tools, and work in water without gloves.

This type of neoplasm does not pose a threat to human health; it is mainly only a cosmetic defect. Periungual plantar warts do not cause discomfort or pain when pressed. However, a wart under the nail is not so harmless - over time, the neoplasm provokes depletion of the nail plate and its further destruction.

In addition, various bacteria and viruses enter through cracks on the surface of the growths, which easily form due to frequent hand work, causing re-infection. Also, as warts grow, the cracks can cause pain. The cuticle is often lost and a tendency to become inflamed (paronychia) develops.

Removal of the tumor is necessary to stop the proliferation of growths, which easily spread to healthy fingers. Localization of the wart under the nail plate makes treatment and removal very difficult. When it appears in childhood or adolescence, it can go away on its own.

How dangerous are warts for a child?

Warts are dangerous due to their degeneration into malignant neoplasms. Therefore, if skin growths appear on the arms, legs or other parts of the body, it is better to undergo diagnostics and act in accordance with the recommendations of doctors.

In very rare cases, the appearance of a growth on a baby’s hands can be caused by an oncogenic strain of the virus. Then the development of a malignant tumor cannot be ruled out.

Childhood neoplasms, as a rule, pass without a trace, but there are unpleasant exceptions. Therefore, parents should be on alert: monitor the dynamics of the disease.

Diagnostic methods

If you nevertheless decide to treat warts on your child’s finger, then remember that immunity against the HPV that caused the warts on your child’s body will not be developed. The risk of relapse of the disease is very high. However, when warts cause serious discomfort to a child, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist.

Parents should definitely inform the specialist about all concomitant diseases that the child has (especially diabetes, bronchial asthma).

The doctor will order examinations:

1. PCR. Diagnostics designed to determine the causative agent of the disease. Since there are more than 600 strains of HPV, such a study is more than appropriate. Involves determining the DNA of the pathogen. The analysis is highly accurate, but expensive. Done within a few hours.
2. Dermatoscopy. The essence of the method is to determine the benign quality of the neoplasm. Immersion oil is applied to the formation, then a dermatoscope is applied. The doctor examines the tumor at high magnification. Based on its results, a decision on removal is made.
3. Diagnostics includes additional measures: cytological analysis, Digene test, microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen (piece of tissue).

Of course, such a thorough examination is not carried out in all cases. It is prescribed only when the appearance and atypical development of warts force the doctor to decide on a detailed examination of the tumor.

Where to go if a child has warts?

If parents notice any skin growths or neoplasms in their child, it is recommended to consult an experienced doctor as soon as possible, who will determine an accurate diagnosis and recommend effective treatment methods . Warts can sometimes be confused with nevi or manifestations of lichen planus. In this regard, independent treatment, especially in relation to a child, is unacceptable. The specialist will not only tell you how to treat warts in children, but will also give advice on the need for therapy. The fact is that some types of neoplasms can spontaneously disappear as the child grows. If the formation is located on the face and causes significant aesthetic discomfort to the patient, there is no need to delay solving this problem.