HPV (Human PapillomaVirus) is a large family of "mischievous" people.
In previous articles, we explained that low-risk HPV-6, HPV-11 and other infections caused by genital warts are shaped like "cauliflower" and 2/3 of the "STDs" that can be transmitted to partners.
He also explained an article on cervical cancer caused by high-risk HPV-16, HPV-18 and other infections, and read 10 results of cervical cancer TCT examination!
Today we will continue to talk about a skin disease caused by low-risk HPV-2, 3, 10 and other types of infections, especially on the face - flat warts.
01 Flat warts are not sexually transmitted diseases
Flat warts are flat papules that rise slightly above the surface of the skin, can be consistent with the color of the skin, are often difficult to detect without careful observation, and can also appear dark brown or yellow-brown.
These papules are most common on the face, back of the hands, forearms, and are relatively uncommon in other parts, and can be diseased in both men and women, but are more common in women because their skin is more delicate and susceptible to viral infection.
Although flat warts are also caused by HPV infection, they are not transmitted through sexual activity and therefore do not fall into the category of "sexually transmitted diseases".
It is only a common skin disease, the main mode of transmission is contact transmission, such as scratching the skin of the affected area and then scratching other places, direct contact between the skin, or indirect contact such as sharing a towel.
Skin nudity has more chances of summer and is more susceptible to infection. However, it should be noted that there will be an incubation period of 1-3 months after the virus infection, and whether flat warts appear depends on personal circumstances.
02 Sudden redness and itching of flat warts may be a good thing
Because flat warts are only caused by low-risk HPV infection, only affect the appearance and can be transmitted two major hazards, usually not cancerous, even if not treated, generally there will be no serious consequences.
Because viral infections often occur on the surface of the skin, it is not easy to stimulate the body's immunity to kill, so if not treated, flat warts generally do not disappear on their own.
But there are some "lucky ones" may also heal themselves, such as when the flat warts are red, itchy, and inflammatory, it is easier to stimulate the body's immunity, and perhaps after a few months, the gathered immune cells can clear the HPV infection, and the flat warts will disappear on their own.
03 Flat warts can be cured
Some folk remedies for the treatment of flat warts, such as mashed soybeans and vinegar-soaked eggs, have no scientific basis and are not recommended.
Some people may wonder, since flat warts are caused by HPV infection, can HPV vaccination prevent it?
Unfortunately, the current HPV vaccine is mainly to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts, and no vaccine has been developed to target flat warts.
Currently, the recommended treatment for flat warts is the following two categories:
/ Medication /
Generally, external drugs are mainly used, such as the combination of tretinoins and miquemot. Tretinoins can promote normal keratosis of the stratum corneum on the surface of flat warts and increase drug penetration; with miquimod, it can also stimulate the local skin immune response and kill HPV.
A combination of 3-4 weeks of medication is usually recommended, if the skin is red and itchy, indicating that the drug is effective, if there is no change, it is recommended to choose another treatment. In addition, some traditional Chinese medicines for internal and external use also have a certain therapeutic effect.
/ Physiotherapy /
Some flat warts have thick horn, drugs are difficult to penetrate, or the drug treatment effect is not good, you can choose physical therapy, mainly laser, freezing, microwave and other ways.
Liquid nitrogen freezing, the range required for treatment will be larger than the range of flat warts, and pigmentation may be left; the depth of microwave therapy is not easy to control, there may be a risk of scarring, both of which are no longer commonly used.
Nowadays, the most commonly used laser treatment in the clinic is that the depth and scope of treatment are easier to control and the treatment effect is better.
When laser treatment, anesthesia will be applied for 30-40 minutes, and then with a high-temperature laser, the flat wart tissue will be cauterized and gasified, and 1-2 treatments can be completely removed, generally no scars, and rare recurrence.
04 After laser treatment, pay attention to avoiding water and sun protection
It takes about a week to recover after the laser treatment, during which it will slowly crust.
Before the scab must pay attention to waterproof, after the scab is slightly hard, you can use normal saline for a short period of time to wash slightly, but do not use tap water, which is not conducive to recovery, but also increase the risk of infection.
After the scab is shed, pay attention to sun protection, it is best to choose SPF30, PA++ or above sunscreen products, and it is best to apply twice a day, such as once in the morning and once at noon.
If the sun is particularly strong, you can also wear a parasol and a sunhat. After laser treatment, some people may have pigmentation for a short time, but generally 3-4 months can slowly fade and gradually unify with the surrounding skin.
It should be reminded that if there has been exposure to the sun recently, the skin will be more sensitive and easy to leave pigmentation, so it is necessary to recover for 1-2 months before laser treatment.
References: Medical Microvision official website - Lun Wenhui Chief Physician "Flat Warts"