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We hear so much in the media these days about the HPV virus that you might not realize that some strains of this virus cause comparatively harmless warts in children. Children do have an immature immune system, making them more vulnerable to warts.
What is the HPV virus?
The HPV virus or human papilloma virus, that causes warts, is opportunistic and will take advantage of any small scratch, cut or wound in the skin to invade warm moist places - particularly on the fingers, hands and feet. Of course children being children will have more of these small scratches, cuts or wounds than adults. Children also tend to have more skin-to-skin contact with other children and of course they also share lots of items like towels, clothing, toys and more. These two factors along with the more immature immune system can mean warts from time to time.
Fortunately for children, warts are mostly painless
The exception is plantar warts on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts become rather painful when they start to grow inwards because of the pressure and weight of being walked on all the time. You can try to educate your children to avoid warts by practicing good hygiene; washing their hands thoroughly in soap and water at appropriate times; wearing footwear when in public damp places like around swimming pools, in showers or locker rooms; and resisting the urge to bite their fingernails or to pick at hangnails. But in spite of these measures, there is still no guarantee that your children will avoid picking up the warts virus.
Four Main Types of Warts that Affect Children
Common warts: which usually appear on fingers, hands, knees or elbows. They look like small, hard bumps shaped like a dome and are brown to grey color. Their rough surface sometimes reminds people of a tiny cauliflower.
Flat warts: which are very small and about the size of a pinhead. These warts have flat smooth tops and are usually the same colour as your flesh. Although commonly occurring on the face, they can also grow singly or in clusters on arms, knees or hands.
Filiform warts: which have a finger-like shape and are usually flesh-coloured. They often grow on or around the mouth, eyes, or nose.
How to Identify and Treat Warts in Children
Plantar warts which are those painful warts that appear on the soles of the feet (that I have already mentioned). Please be aware that it is important to treat plantar warts as soon as possible as they become more stubborn and more painful the longer they are around.
It is always easier to treat your children's warts in the early stages plus this has the added advantage of preventing them being so contagious.
By using an over the counter medication that contains salicylic acid. This can be effective although you need to be careful not to allow the liquid on to the adjoining healthy skin.
By ordering a natural product online such as one produced from pure essential oils. Safe to use on children from the age of 4 years, this product is gentle and successful. Healing Natural Oils has just such a product known as H-Warts.
If you wish to take your child to a paediatrician or a dermatologist, they may well recommend:
Cryotherapy or a freezing procedure to remove the wart.
Laser treatment (particularly for stubborn warts that have been neglected) when a tiny laser is used. The procedure may need to be repeated a few times to get rid of deep plantar warts.
Although these methods are usually painless, they may need several treatments to be successful and of course there is a higher cost implication. Find the right method to suit your child while ensuring the least amount of discomfort when removing the wart or warts.
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