Spring season, when outdoor activities increase, wart warning < Health < Life < Text of article

[리서치페이퍼 김상호 기자] Mr. Park (45 years old, male), whose hobby is hiking, used to go hiking in the surrounding area every weekend as the spring season got warmer. One day he noticed that he had lumpy, white, dead skin cells on the soles of his feet. He thought he had developed a corn while hiking and brushed it off by scratching it with his hand. A few days later, two or three more similar lesions appeared, and after seeing them spread to his palms and increasing in number, he went to the hospital and was diagnosed with warts, not corns.

Warts, a viral skin disease, are a disease that occurs when the human papilloma virus (HPV) infects the skin surface. It mainly occurs on the hands and feet, and although it is relatively rare, it can occur anywhere on the skin of the body, including the scalp, face, and torso. Most papules are 1 to 4 mm in size and have a rough, protruding surface, but depending on their location, they may have a smooth surface or a flat thickness, and in some cases, they may be dark in color.

Warts are a disease that spreads through direct contact from person to person, but caution is needed as they can be transmitted indirectly, such as through clothes, towels, or shoes. If symptoms appear, notify family members and avoid direct contact with the lesion. In general, adults with healthy skin immunity do not need to be overly anxious because even if direct contact with warts occurs unintentionally, they are not necessarily contagious, but children and adolescents with weak immune systems need greater caution.

After the virus infects the skin, it takes several months to grow to the point where it can be seen with the naked eye, so in most cases, the infection route cannot be confirmed. When viewed with the naked eye, they are very similar to corns or calluses, so they often get worse and spread when people initially try to remove them by scratching or tearing them off. It is important to treat it early before it spreads to other areas.

The risk of infection increases if the warts are on the skin or remain wet for a long time. Additionally, if dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis is not treated in time and the skin barrier is damaged or the skin or systemic immunity is low, the possibility of infection increases. If you have red and itchy skin, you should see a dermatologist for early treatment. Managing stress and maintaining a healthy body immunity, including the skin, through regular exercise such as stretching and jogging can help prevent it. .

Treatment methods for warts include cryotherapy, drug therapy, electrocautery, laser therapy, and immunotherapy. Pain, blisters, and discoloration may occur after the procedure, but they may improve over time, so you should continue to receive treatment and strive to maintain a healthy immune state. The cure rate is 60-70%, but depending on the patient’s immunity, recurrence occurs in about 20%. In order to increase the cure rate, it is important to receive continuous treatment from a dermatologist until you are diagnosed with a cure.

Professor Kim Dae-hyun of the Department of Dermatology at Korea University Anam Hospital said, “In spring, daily temperature differences increase, sweating increases, and time spent playing outdoor sports increases, which can lead to large and small wounds on the hands and feet. In this case, warts are more likely to develop and spread. “If you have a wart, you should not touch it or pick it off with your own hands and should see a dermatologist.” “Do it,” he advised.