Senile warts: causes, stages, methods, treatment, prevention

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Over the years, the human body weakens and changes, therefore, some people after 40-50 years old appear on the body of senile warts - age-related keratomas, the treatment of which is desirable not to postpone. After all, there is a fraction of the risk of their degeneration into a malignant pathology. A keratoma is a benign skin mass.

It appears on any part of the body, with the exception of mucous surfaces, as well as palms and feet. Such warts outwardly resemble moles.

Apart from visual manifestations, no other symptoms are observed. Signs of keratoma formation are:

• the appearance of a spot on the body, usually yellow, brown or almost black;
• the shape of the spot is close to a circle, the contours are indistinct;
• the more time passes, the darker the stain becomes, and the altered epithelium rises above the level of healthy skin;
• when several keratomas form near each other, they can merge into a single spot;
• a scaly layer forms on the surface of mature warts, which is scraped off, exposing lighter tissues.

Due to the similarity to moles, many people ignore such neoplasms, although in fact they are a form of precancer.

Reasons for the appearance

Sometimes such neoplasms appear for no apparent reason. The main factor of influence is considered to be age-related changes that a person's body undergoes. Over the course of their lives, men and women are faced with various factors that leave their mark on the condition of their skin.

Most often, the appearance of keratomas is associated with the following circumstances:

• Improper nutrition. Harmful food impairs metabolic processes in the body, worsens the condition of the skin. Deficiency of vitamins and minerals has an effect;
• Insolation. Prolonged exposure to the sun, lack of protection from ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of skin pathologies. That is why warts most often appear on the face;
• Injuries. These include mechanical damage, contact with chemicals, etc. The more often a person's skin is exposed to such an effect, the greater the risk of developing abnormalities;
• Skin diseases. This includes any problems with the epithelial layer, as well as disruption of the sebaceous glands. Very often keratomas are associated with seborrhea;
• Heredity. If loved ones have such formations, the likelihood of their appearance increases.

The degeneration of epithelial cells occurs independently, no foreign microorganisms affect the process.

Forms of development

The formation of outgrowths is not the same. In different cases, age-related keratomas differ in appearance.

Therefore, doctors identified five main forms of neoplasms of the corresponding types, which characterize the stages of their development:

• Spotted. A small patch of skin is different in color, forming a dark patch with indistinct borders;
• Follicular. Over a long period of time, the spot becomes convex, with an almost completely smooth surface;
• Plaque. The disc-shaped growth is covered with plaques, a gray tint appears. The scales dry out and flake off, as a result of which blood appears;
• Seborrheic. Several nearby keratomas merge with each other, the contours are similar to cracks. The number of scales increases, they itch and exfoliate;
• Horny. The spot rises significantly above healthy skin, its surface is uneven, keratinized and dark. Often this form is transitional to squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

You should not wait for the last stages, because the earlier you start treatment, the lower the risk of the growth being degenerated into a cancerous tumor.

For effective treatment, you must be examined by a doctor. A specialist examines the wart using special devices. To establish an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to take a blood test.

The exclusion of malignancy of the formation and confirmation of the initial diagnosis is possible thanks to biopsy and biochemical analysis of tissue samples.

Drug treatment

There are several ways to get rid of this skin defect. The most appropriate method in a particular case will be selected by a doctor. While maintaining a benign nature, it is possible to slow down the growth of a keratoma or at least reduce the degree of its manifestation with the help of medicines.

The following drugs are often used:

• hormonal drugs for external use;
• ascorbic acid in high concentration;
• Biolit-ELP are other ointments that slow down the pathological process.

Medicines slow down cell degeneration, eliminate the discomfort associated with the formation of keratinized scales, and prevent inflammation. Medication is associated with great risks, as medications can have side effects. Therefore, therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a physician and prescribed only after a thorough diagnosis of the patient's health condition.

Folk remedies

Due to the many contraindications regarding the use of medications, senile warts are often treated with folk remedies. Their effectiveness is often questionable, but they still have some positive impact.

For the treatment of keratomas, it is recommended to use such unconventional methods:

• grated potatoes;
• Castor oil;
• aloe juice;
• propolis;
• oil infused with green walnut peels;
• celandine mixed with lard.

Such unconventional medications are used to wipe up neoplasms. For greater effect, they can be used as a lotion. A small portion of the product is applied to the affected area of the body, covered with gauze and sealed with a plaster.

In order not to face complications and not to accelerate the pathological process, it is recommended to consult a doctor in advance about the use of such techniques.

Removal of warts

Any warts are a serious cosmetic defect. In addition, sometimes their size, as well as itching and bleeding, cause physical discomfort. Frequent neoplasm trauma can accelerate the process of transformation into oncology. In this case, keratoma removal is indicated. In addition, such measures are mandatory at the slightest suspicion of its malignancy.

In order to get rid of this problem in modern medicine, several methods are used:

• Surgical excision. The wart is excised with a scalpel along with the base and adjacent areas of the skin to prevent recurrence;
• Radio wave resection. Special equipment is used, thanks to which the contactless removal of pathological tissues is performed;
• Electrocoagulation. Cauterization is performed with an electrical impulse;
• Laser removal. The essence lies in the evaporation of the neoplasm with a laser beam;
• Cauterization with liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen destroys the treated tissue and the build-up will fall off over time.

The appropriate method of treatment is selected by the doctor, since not all methods are universal. In addition, you need to take into account the number and size of formations, their localization. For example, on the face, it is necessary to minimize the consequences in the form of scars, so traditional surgical excision will be inappropriate here.

Prophylaxis

It is quite difficult to prevent the appearance of senile warts. Some processes occurring in the human body after several decades of life cannot be controlled.

However, you can reduce the risk of degeneration of healthy epithelium if you follow these recommendations:

• avoid the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation;
• eat well, do not allow nutritional deficiencies;
• be less stressed;
• eliminate bad habits;
• have a good rest;
• treat any other diseases in time.

The main focus is sun protection. This is especially true in the summer period, when many people ignore the use of protective cosmetics. Prevention measures should be included in your lifestyle from a young age in order to minimize health problems at an older age.

If you find suspicious spots and growths, you should immediately seek help from a dermatologist or oncologist. The initial forms of pathology are much easier to treat and do not pose a threat to human health and life!