Diagnosis | Warts in children

Diagnosis

Warts in children are typically a diagnosis of gaze. The dermatologist or pediatrician can determine that it is a wart simply by looking at it. The position and shape of the wart can usually also be used to determine what type of wart it is. If there is any uncertainty, a tissue sample can be taken and sent to a laboratory. This is not necessary in most cases.

Associated symptoms

In most cases, warts are perceived as cosmetically disturbing, especially if they appear on the face or hands. Depending on the type of wart, other symptoms may also occur. In the case of thorn warts, the location on the sole of the foot can cause pain when walking.

Flat warts can cause severe itching. By scratching the warts, the viruses are spread further and new warts appear along scratch marks. Common warts usually cause neither pain nor itching.

TreatmentTherapy

In many cases warts disappear on their own without treatment after some time. There is not necessarily a medical reason to treat them. However, if they are perceived as cosmetically disturbing or cause pain, there are several treatment approaches.

It is important to note that clothes and towels that have come into contact with the wart should be washed at least 60°C. This prevents the wart virus from spreading further. To prevent warts should be worn in swimming pools, saunas, changing rooms and similar bath slippers.

It is also important to always dry the interdigits between the toes well after bathing or showering. Good skin care can also reduce the susceptibility of the skin to warts.

• Dissolving the horny layer: With the help of salicylic acid or lactic acid as a solution or patch, the horny layer of the skin is dissolved.

  The uppermost layer must be removed regularly with a small file during the treatment. To avoid damaging the surrounding, unaffected skin, it can be creamed with Vaseline, for example. The treatment can last up to several months.

• Ice up: When icing, the doctor treats the wart with liquid nitrogen.

  This treatment must also be repeated several times. Various icing pens that promise a similar effect are also available in the pharmacy. These are however not as effective as icing at the doctor.

• Removal: If there are many or very large warts, surgical or laser removal may be necessary. Usually, however, the above mentioned methods are sufficient.
• Home remedies: There are a number of other home remedies for warts, such as apple vinegar, tea tree oil, adhesive tape. However, there is no scientific evidence for the effectiveness of these remedies.