Facial warts can be a cause of concern for any parent. They are small, usually harmless growths that can appear on different parts of the face. Warts are caused by a viral infection and are not harmful to your child’s health.
However, they can cause discomfort and emotional distress for children, especially if they are located in a prominent area such as the face. Keep reading to find out more about facial warts in children, their causes, treatment options, and what you can do to prevent them from spreading.
What Causes Facial Warts in Children?
Facial warts are caused by a common virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 100 types of HPV. Different types of the virus can cause different types of warts which can affect various areas of the body, such as the face, hands, arms, or feet.
Warts are contagious and can be easily spread to other parts of the body and from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact or through contact with an item that contains the virus, such as a towel.
Warts can occur at any age, but they are more common in children than adults. Not everyone who comes into contact with warts will develop them – it also depends on the person’s level of immunity to the virus.
Addressing Facial Warts Successfully
Warts typically aren’t painful and often disappear without treatment. However, this can take a significant amount of time – in some cases years. Facial warts can be unsightly and may make children feel very self-conscious. They can also spread from one part of the body to another, or to other children.
Parents want to ensure that their children are healthy and happy, but when warts appear, many are uncertain about the best course of action. The good news is that there are several effective treatment options available for facial warts in children, including over-the-counter medications.
If your child has a facial wart, special consideration and care should be taken to avoid any complications. You should also always consult a healthcare professional before using any over-the-counter medications or wart removal treatments on your child, as even over-the-counter medications can have side effects.
It is important to understand that some treatment methods may cause discomfort, burning, or pain in the treatment area. In some cases, treatment may cause minor scarring depending on the type and location of the wart. Sometimes more than one course of treatment may also be necessary to treat the condition effectively. If your child has a facial wart, you should seek advice from your child’s pediatrician to determine which treatment would work best for them.
Treatment Options for Facial Warts in Children
The most common treatments are topical medications, cryotherapy, and surgical removal.
Topical Medications
Topical medications are creams or ointments that are applied directly to the wart. Some of these medications contain salicylic acid, which works by breaking down the outer layer of the skin, allowing the medication to penetrate the wart.
Other medications contain immune system boosters that can help the body fight off the virus causing the wart. Topical medications are usually effective, but it may take up to three months of daily treatment to successfully remove the wart.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen to remove it. This minimally invasive treatment is usually done in a doctor’s office or clinic. During treatment, the liquid nitrogen is accurately delivered directly to the wart to avoid damage to nearby healthy tissue, which causes the wart to freeze and eventually fall off.
Treatment may cause some temporary discomfort and stinging. In some cases, more than one treatment may be necessary based on the size of the wart and how well it responds to treatment.
Surgical Removal
Surgical removal, such as electrosurgery and curettage, is another option for removing facial warts in children. Treatment may involve cutting or scraping the wart off the skin or applying an electrical current to burn the wart away.
This treatment is usually only recommended for larger warts or warts that do not respond successfully to other treatments. It is typically carried out under local anesthetic.
Preventing Facial Warts from Spreading
Facial warts can be very contagious, so it is important to take steps to prevent them from spreading. This can be done by avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a wart.
It is also important to avoid touching or sharing objects that have been in contact with warts, such as towels or nail clippers. You can improve your child’s immunity and help reduce the chances of HPV and other infections by making sure that your child remains up-to-date with their immunizations.
If your child has a wart, make sure they do not scratch or pick at it, as this can cause the virus to spread to other parts of the body or to other people. It is also important to keep the wart clean and dry to prevent it from becoming infected.
Facial warts can be a cause of concern for parents, but they are usually harmless and can often be easily treated. If you have any concerns about your child’s warts, it is important to speak with your child’s pediatrician. With the right treatment and prevention strategies, facial warts can be managed effectively.
Effective Treatment for Warts on Kidsin Tuckahoe, NY
If you’re looking for expert treatment for warts in children, visit the compassionate and experienced providers at Village Pediatric Group. We provide high-quality care and a comprehensive range of pediatric healthcare services for patients aged from newborn to 21 years of age, which include the treatment and management of warts.
To learn more about effective facial wart removal, call us today at (914) 771-7070 to schedule an appointment or use our convenient appointment booking tool. We hope to hear from you soon!
