Flat warts are caused by what?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 20, 2024

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Flat warts are a type of viral skin disease, primarily caused by the papillomavirus, characterized by skin overgrowths scattered across the skin, resembling the size of mung beans and are light brown flat papules. Flat warts are highly contagious, especially around the neck, backs of hands, face, and chest areas. Therefore, it is crucial to treat flat warts promptly to prevent spread and further infection.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

32sec

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Flat warts are caused by what?

Flat warts are a type of viral skin disease, primarily caused by the papillomavirus, characterized by skin overgrowths scattered across the skin, resembling the size of mung beans and are light brown flat papules. Flat warts are highly contagious, especially around the neck, backs of hands, face, and chest areas. Therefore, it is crucial to treat flat warts promptly to prevent spread and further infection.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

47sec

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Difference between Sebaceous Nevus and Flat Warts

Sebaceous nevus is primarily associated with localized epidermal growth and development, and is a type of benign hyperplasia. Most people are affected from birth or at a very young age, generally limited to one area and do not spread massively or contagiously across the body. Flat warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, which are contagious and recurrent, and can appear all over the body, not just in one area. Flat warts are generally dot-like or circular, whereas sebaceous nevi are mostly linear in growth, becoming larger and more proliferative over time. The most common treatment for sebaceous nevus is surgical removal, while flat warts can be selectively removed using laser treatment.

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Written by Qu Jing

Dermatology

1min 31sec

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Can people with flat warts eat eggs?

Flat warts can be eaten with eggs. Eggs are to be avoided by some patients with allergic diseases who are sensitive to eggs; some people are allergic to egg whites, while others may react to egg yolks. However, the pathogenesis of flat warts is not related to allergies. It is a viral disease caused by infection with HPV type 3 virus, commonly found on the face and forearms. The typical skin lesions are rice grain or soybean-sized, flat, elevated papules that are round or oval-shaped. The surface is smooth and hard, with a normal skin color or light brown, often appearing suddenly in large, dense numbers. After scratching, the lesions can appear bead-like, arranged along the direction of scratching, forming an autoinoculation reaction. Thus, the worsening of flat warts is due to scratching and self-spreading; the more one scratches, the more warts appear. The condition of flat warts is related to the individual's immunity. When immunity is low, it’s easier to be infected. When immunity is high, resistance is stronger, and some patients may see the warts resolve on their own, although a few may relapse. Therefore, eating eggs is unrelated to flat warts.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

1min

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How to remove flat warts

Flat warts are caused by the human papillomavirus infection, commonly known as the HPV virus. This disease is highly contagious and recurrent; once it appears, it tends to grow on various parts of the body in most individuals. The most commonly used primary treatment method is laser removal of the warts, followed by the application of topical antiviral medications. This method is generally suitable for flat warts that are less numerous. Another method is wart vaccination therapy, which involves removing the flat warts and using them to create a vaccine that is implanted into the muscle of the patient, generating antibodies to fight against the flat warts. The last method involves the use of oral and topical medications, but this method is slower and requires long-term treatment. The treatment of flat warts also necessitates a long-term dietary avoidance of spicy and stimulating foods, increased physical exercise, and a stronger focus on immunotherapy.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

43sec

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Can flat warts be treated with laser?

Flat warts are a disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and they are highly contagious and recurrent. Generally, they can be treated with laser therapy, but this method is mainly for patients with fewer growths. If there are many growths, the effectiveness of laser treatment may not be very good, and extensive laser use can easily cause scarring or leave laser marks. For multiple flat warts, the most common approach is still to use immunotherapy, or to take antiviral medications orally and topically over the long term. During the treatment of flat warts, it is important to avoid sharing towels or bath mitts to prevent cross-infection, although laser treatment can still be quite effective for smaller flat warts.