|
Warts are a dermal disease caused by a filterable virus. It is characterised by tumor-like benign masses of noninflammatory nature. They are dermal tumors of pinhead size or larger. They can appear one by one or in groups virtually in any part of the body. Although each type has its own name, they all are caused by various types of hard papilloma virus.
Generally warts are pale skin-colored neoplasms with uneven surface, surrounded and colored by superficial capillaries. Normal skin lines do not cross warts surface. Despite the common belief, warts are very superficial neoplasms and do not have roots or outgrowths that descend to the bones.
Warts are classified into several types.
Common warts are thick indolent round-shaped nodes with uneven surface. They have 3-10 mm in size and are of normal skin or grey-brown color. Their favorite localization is on dorsal surfaces of hands and fingers, face, and scalp.
So called plantar warts appear on plantar surface of feet. They are usually dolorous and consist of filamentous fiber bundles surrounded by cushions of thick corneous callosity-like layer. Their appearance is caused by permanent shoes pressure.
Plane (flat) wars are small (0.5-3 mm) nodes of normal skin or yellowish color, round or polygonal, with flat smooth surface. They slightly protrude over the skin surface. Their favorite localization is on face and dorsal surfaces of hands. They often affect young patients, especially schoolboys.
Pointed warts (condylomas). Pointed warts can be transmitted sexually, thus they are also called venereal warts. |
