What causes flat warts and how to treat them
Disease description:
I've felt my neck particularly itchy these two days, and while showering today, I noticed several grain-of-rice-sized papules on my neck. My husband mentioned they might be flat warts. I would like to know what causes flat warts and how they can be treated.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Flat warts are primarily caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV types 3 and 5, which are the main causative agents. The development of flat warts is associated with multiple factors, including genetic predisposition, poor personal hygiene (such as sharing towels or other personal items), skin injuries or wounds that provide opportunities for viral entry, and a weakened immune system (such as in individuals with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or other immunocompromising conditions). Treatment options for flat warts are varied and include topical medications (such as tretinoin cream, imiquimod cream), physical therapies (such as cryotherapy, laser therapy), antiviral treatments (such as acyclovir), and immunomodulatory therapies. The specific treatment plan should be determined based on factors such as the number of warts, the size and location of the lesions, and must be conducted under the guidance of a qualified physician.
