Warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Pimples are the second most common skin disease after acne. Children and young people are more often affected due to their immature immune system. However, their appearance at any age is not excluded.
There are over 70 different types of HPV that cause warts in other parts of the body (different types of the virus usually cause warts in different places). The virus causes skin cells to multiply rapidly, resulting in skin lesions that are more annoying than dangerous, but are highly contagious.
Ants can be transmitted by simple contact (handshake) with infected skin or with infected objects in places where there is a micro-injury.
It can also be transmitted by touching wet surfaces, such as pool floors and locker rooms, that have been contaminated by people who already have ants. Finally, there is a possibility that the virus can spread from the person himself to the hands to the face through touch or nail biting.
They are distinguished into common ants, plantar ants, and smooth ants.
Common ants:
Common warts are painless, benign, small, skin-colored, rounded bumps (medically called papules) with a rough hyperkeratotic surface.
They usually develop around the palm's nails, fingers, and back. Still, they may also appear on the knees and face, especially when the skin is injured.
Plantar ants:
Plantar warts are found only on the soles of the feet and are often endophytic, meaning they tend to grow inside the skin. Externally, they can be brown or gray (with a dark center) and painful. Multiple black spots scattered over the area of the anthill are also often seen, which are due to blood clots and are a helpful sign in clinical diagnosis.
Smooth ants:
These are flat bumps (papules) with a smooth surface, reddish or skin-colored. They tend to grow in large numbers, from 20 to 100 at a time.
They can appear anywhere, but they usually appear on the face of children. In adults, they typically appear on the chin and cheeks in men, while in women, they appear on the shins.
Treatment:
Cryotherapy: In cryosurgery, or cooling of the ants, liquid is applied
nitrogen. A misconception that many people have is that they believe that the ant freezes or "burns" immediately. This is not true, as cooling causes gradual destruction of the area, resulting in a pustule (blister) forming around the ant. The dead tissue falls off in about a week. It does not leave a scar, and there is no risk of the ant spreading.
Cauterization: Ant cauterization is a method that destroys the tissue using electricity. A small apple, which is penetrated by an electric current, is used to destroy the tissue. Burning the anthill is often the most effective method.
Laser: Laser wart treatment uses a beam of intense light, which burns and destroys the wart tissue. A local anesthetic is often used. This method is used when the ants are large or scattered. It usually does not cause scarring. The wound will be painful for a few days after the operation, and there is a small risk of infection.
