Flat warts in children are quite common skin formations in the younger age group. This structure has the appearance of a “knot” and can be reduced independently. However, situations are also likely when flat warts in a child, on the contrary, begin to grow, forming groups. Attentive parents should not figure out on their own what scenario the disease will take (reduction or expansion); it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Growths are a sign of abnormalities in the baby’s health, and possibly the influence of pathogenic factors on him. Understanding the reasons for the development of warts, knowledge of the first signs of the disease and treatment methods will allow you to quickly and safely remove this unpleasant formation for the child.
General information
Warts are hypertrophied areas of the epithelium, usually resulting from infection with papillomavirus.
They are benign formations on the skin or mucous membrane. They appear more often in children and adolescents who have a weak immune system. Warts can be single or multiple, oval or round, lighter or darker than the surrounding tissue. If left untreated, they can increase in size and cause discomfort.
Neoplasms are localized in different parts of the body:
- face;
- fingers, especially around nails;
- articular surfaces (knees, elbows);
- soles.
Sometimes found on the mucous membrane of the larynx and nose. Such warts often degenerate into cancerous tumors, and therefore require immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of warts
Signs of warts in children depend on the type of tumor:
- Ordinary, or vulgar. These are the most common growths that have a stalk. The formations are round, ball-like, rising above the skin. Common warts are characterized by uniform pigmentation, and hair growth is possible in the central part. The formations do not bother the child, do not hurt or itch. Vulgar warts form on the legs, arms, and back.
- Youthful, or flat. This type appears in children over 5 years of age. The formations are clear, irregular in shape, do not rise above the skin and do not have a stalk. They are slightly pigmented, the surface is even and smooth. A distinctive feature of this type of wart is the formation of several growths in one area of the body. They are localized on the face, neck, lower legs, hands and never appear in the armpits or skin folds.
- Pointed, or condylomas. Pink growths consisting of multiple neoplasms of the papillary structure. This type of wart appears on areas with thin skin, genitals, and mucous membranes.
- Acrochords, or filamentous. Long, elongated neoplasms that appear on the face and in the armpits. They do not differ in color from the surrounding tissues and grow quickly. Warts are clearly visible, easily injured and cause discomfort.
- Plantars, or spinules. The growths are located on the foot under the big toe, have a deep root, round shape and resemble calluses. Pathologically changed areas of the dermis hurt when walking. To detect warts in time, parents should regularly examine the child's body while bathing or changing clothes.
Methods for treating flat warts in children
At the initial stage of diagnosis, the dermatologist conducts a thorough examination of the formations. Additionally, a number of tests may be prescribed (dermatoscopy, PCR test, biopsy), which are a precautionary measure if malignancy of the structure is suspected. In general, the doctor will recommend how to treat flat warts in children after the first visit. Therapy should include both eliminating the causes that caused the development of the disease and targeted fight against the growth. The young patient’s body is supported by medications, and the removal method is selected based on the patient’s age and general health. Depending on the patient’s condition, therapy can take from 2 months to 2.5 years.
Medications for flat warts in children
The photo shows drugs for flat warts in children
In medicine, there have been a number of cases where, when the child’s immune system normalized, flat warts went away on their own. However, this does not mean that you can leave the problem unattended, waiting for it to be solved on your own. Parents should consult with their doctor about the likelihood of such a scenario in each particular case.
Since one of the reasons for the development of warts is a violation of protective functions, to restore immunity to a child over 14 years of age, the immunomodulating drug Genferon Light or its analogue Alfarekin (also used in pediatric practice for newborns) is recommended. The cost of Genferon in Ukraine is 290 hryvnia, and in Russia, where the drug is produced, it is 288 rubles.
The child will also be recommended to take additional vitamins or vitamin-mineral complexes, for example, Undevit, Hexavit, Bevix (for adolescents over 14 years of age). Vitamin pills in Ukraine can be purchased for only 12 hryvnia (in Russia for 55 rubles), but there are also more expensive drugs.
For children of a younger age group, other multivitamin complexes may be prescribed, for example, Pikovit (for children over 7), Supradin Kids (from 3 years). The selection of drugs is carried out on an individual basis.
The dermatologist also describes a program on how to treat flat warts in children using external medications. The following means can be used:
- Balms with a gentle effect on the skin , for example, “Mountain Celandine”. The drug is used for children over 5 years of age. The balm should be used 2 times a day until the formation completely disappears. Despite its mild effect, it can still irritate delicate healthy skin, so the product is not applied to the face. In Ukrainian pharmacies, “Mountain Celandine” costs 10 hryvnia, and in Russia – 59 rubles.
- Tea tree oil is used for children from 10 years of age. Apply to flat warts in a child up to 4 times a day. Do not use if your skin is hypersensitive. Oil costs 52 hryvnia in Ukraine, and 102 rubles in Russia.
- Wart patch based on salicylic acid , for example, Salipod. The patch with the active substance should be cut exactly to the size of the formation and pasted on the flat wart. This compress must be changed every 12 hours until the growth is completely removed. Salipod costs 21 hryvnia in Ukraine, 74 rubles in Russia. Forbidden to use for children under 14 years of age, as well as for teenagers with sensitive skin.
Important! Only a doctor should select medications for treatment, since children’s delicate skin requires careful treatment.
- Read more about medications for viral warts in children
Removal of flat warts in children
Hardware destruction of a flat wart in a child is performed in rare cases. Indications for surgery are:
- large size of the growth;
- the wart began to hurt or itch, changed color, size, shape;
- the formation is located on an open area of the face or body and brings serious psychological discomfort to the child.
Removal is carried out using the most gentle methods - laser or liquid nitrogen. The laser removes growths quickly and without pain, and the operation is absolutely safe for children. True, the cost of the procedure, if large growths are removed, can reach 1300 hryvnia, 3000 rubles. After evaporating the wart tissue, a crust remains, which disappears after 2 weeks.
Liquid nitrogen is used to remove deep growths. The procedure costs up to 1000 rubles in Russia, 350 hryvnia in Ukraine.
After removing warts with electric current or a scalpel, there is a high likelihood of scarring, so such methods are not used on children. Before carrying out the procedure, you should consult with your doctor and choose an experienced specialist to perform the operation.
Important! Doctors do not allow the use of alternative medicine recipes when treating flat warts in children, since there is a high probability of injuring the delicate children’s skin and aggravating the situation.
Causes of warts
The main cause of warts in children is the papilloma virus.
Children and adolescents become infected with this pathogen through contact through household items, personal hygiene items, clothing and underwear. Infection occurs in public places, in transport, on playgrounds. It is possible to transmit microorganisms from mother to child during pregnancy. Once on the skin, the virus enters the body through microcracks and wounds. The disease may not manifest itself in any way for a long time. The activation of microorganisms and the appearance of growths occurs under the influence of a number of factors:
- weakened immunity;
- hormonal changes during adolescence;
- unbalanced diet;
- avitaminosis;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- lack of personal hygiene;
- stress, chronic fatigue;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes (relevant for plantar warts).
Important! Neoplasms appear mainly in weakened children with weak immune systems.
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.
Treatment of warts
The decision on how to get rid of a wart in a child should be made by a doctor.
Independent removal of pathologically overgrown areas is dangerous due to the spread of infection to uninfected areas of the skin. Currently, wart removal is possible in various ways:
- Surgical. The wart is excised with a scalpel under local anesthesia. The resulting wound heals in 1-2 weeks, but after removal a scar often remains. This method is not recommended for small children.
- Electrocoagulation. Neoplasm cells are destroyed under the influence of electric current. The manipulation is performed under local anesthesia. After cauterization, the wound is treated with an antiseptic. After 2-3 days, a crust forms at the site of the wart. It disappears after 5-7 days, a scar is formed in rare cases. Electrocoagulation is not suitable for spine removal.
- Cryodestruction. The method involves cauterization with liquid nitrogen. To remove the tumor, 2-4 procedures will be required. After treatment with nitrogen, a blister forms, then a crust, which falls off over time. The method is suitable for older children.
- Laser. This method of wart removal is painless, does not cause complications and does not leave scars. The laser has an antiseptic effect, eliminating infection of the wound. The procedure takes place under local anesthesia and takes a few minutes.
Before removing a wart from a child, the doctor prescribes medications to strengthen the immune system and reduce viral activity. The virus cannot be completely destroyed: it remains in the body for life.
Treatment
Juvenile warts have a tendency to disappear on their own when the patient’s condition is stabilized and the immune system is strengthened. Sometimes this takes a lot of time, and an aesthetic defect forces one to resort to radical methods to get rid of the problem. The main criterion when choosing a method is to guarantee safety, effectiveness and absence of scars.
Taking into account the requests of patients, the optimal solution is radio wave treatment with the Surgitron device. The wave penetrates only to the depth necessary to remove formations. At the same time, coagulation of blood vessels occurs, which minimizes blood loss. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes. During this time, the doctor manages to remove several flat warts at once.
To prevent new growths, it is recommended to undergo a course of antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to achieve stable remission and put the virus into a dormant state.
Prevention of warts
Preventive measures are aimed at strengthening the immune system:
- taking vitamin complexes;
- good nutrition;
- physical activity;
- walks in the open air;
- limited stay in public places (if possible).
The answer to the question of how to remove warts from children in the least traumatic and effective way will be answered by the doctors of the SM-Doctor clinic. A dermatologist will quickly and objectively make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Remember that removing tumors on your own is dangerous for the child’s health.
