Definition – What are warts in children?
Warts are benign growths on the skin that often occur in children. The warts are caused by so-called human papilloma viruses (HPV). There are different types of viruses and depending on the type of virus, different wart forms such as spiny warts, flat warts or common warts develop. Warts occur in children mainly on the fingers but also in other places. At primary school age, warts affect about every third child.
These warts are particularly common in children
Common warts: Common warts are the most common form of warts in children. They occur mainly on the hands or feet. Thorn warts: They occur mainly on the sole of the foot.
Thorn warts grow inwards because they are pressed into the skin by the body weight. Flat warts: They appear on the face or hands and are only slightly raised. Special form: Dell’s warts are not real warts.
They are caused by molluscum contagiosum viruses and appear on the face, neck and armpits.
- Common warts: Common warts are the most common form of warts in children. They occur mainly on the hands or feet.
- Plantar warts: They occur mainly on the sole of the foot. Plantar warts grow inwards, because they are pressed into the skin by the body weight.
- Flat warts: They appear on the face or hands and are only slightly raised.
- Special form: Dell’s warts are not real warts. They are caused by molluscum contagiosum viruses and appear on the face, neck and armpits.
Causes – Why do children in particular often have warts?
The cause of warts is an infestation with the human papilloma viruses. These enter the skin through small skin lesions and cause warts. Children are particularly susceptible to warts. Reasons for this are: Immune system not yet very developed much skin contact with other children e.g. when playing inclination to smaller wounds, through which the viruses penetrate increased risk with inclination to allergies
- Immune system not yet so pronounced
- Much skin contact with other children, e.g. while playing
- Tendency towards smaller wounds through which the viruses penetrate
- Increased risk with inclination to allergies
