Warts on the Face in Children
In ancient times, and even today, folklore considered warts in children to be associated to touching frogs or toads. Well, science has the answer. Here are facts every parent should know regarding warts in children:
- Skin warts is common in 10% to 20% of children
- Girls are more prone to warts than boys are
- Warts are more common in children between the ages of 12 to 16
- Warts may be harmless but they are contagious
Warts do not cause any harm but may turn out to be an embarrassment for several kids. Warts when develop on certain areas of the body such as sole of feet may cause prickly and uncomfortable. As a parent, it is very important to know the cause, treatment and prevention of warts in children.
Human Papillomavirus or HPV causes warts. They form a bulge-like protrusion on the skin but are noncancerous in nature. They are formed by the invasion of virus on the skin, typically usually through a cut or open wound causing a rapid growth of cells on the outer layer of skin. Depending on the type of warts, they can be dark or skin colored, rough or smooth.
Skin Warts, medically known as Verrucae, are classified on the following types:
- Common warts – found on the back of hands and on the fingers, these warts are the most contagious that passes from child to child. Once contracted it may take several months for the warts to become visible
- Palmer warts – as the name suggests, these type of warts are found on the palms
- Plantar warts – usually develop on the sole of the feet
- Flat warts – these warts grow in large numbers, amounting to as much as 20-100 at times. They are usually smaller and softer than other warts.
- Filiform warts – they are usually found on the face and stick out such as you see in cartoon witches
- Genital warts – these warts are usually sexually transmitted and not much found in younger children
Apart from cuts and scratches, warts may find its way into children depending how vulnerable a child is towards the disease. For examples, a children having a lower immune system or children who have had. Some children are more susceptible to warts than others. Children with a compromised immune system -- such as children who have had an organ transplant -- are more likely to get warts. Kids who bite their nails or pick at hangnails – creating tiny cuts in the skin -- are also more likely to get warts.
But even children with healthy immune systems and good nail habits may be more susceptible to getting warts, just as some people are more likely than others to catch colds often. Children pick up the virus in many ways: By sharing towels and toys or playing with friends. However, there are ways to reduce the odds of your child developing warts.
Here are some top tips
- Make sure your kind wears a flip-flop around public pools and showers
- If someone develops plantar warts at home, make it a routine to spray a dilute bleach solution in the shower stall or bathtub after use and then rinse Allot separate bath and hand towels to each child, and instruct them not to share towels
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