What are senile lentigines and flat warts?
Disease description:
My father is 60 years old this year, and he has started to develop some warts on his face and neck, along with many age spots. I thought these usually appear only when one reaches 80 years old. What are age spots and flat warts, and why are they occurring now?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Senile spots and flat warts are two common skin conditions, the development of which is related to multiple factors. Senile spots, also known as seborrheic keratosis, mainly result from aging, skin aging, and prolonged ultraviolet radiation. With increasing age, cellular metabolic function declines, and body fats are prone to oxidation, leading to the formation of age pigment. This pigment cannot be easily excreted from the body and eventually accumulates within cells, forming senile spots. Additionally, genetic factors and air pollution may also play a role in the formation of senile spots.
Flat warts, on the other hand, are a skin condition caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus spreads through direct or indirect contact, leading to the development of flat papules on the skin. Flat warts commonly occur in adolescents and children and are associated with decreased immune function and skin irritation. After infecting the skin, the virus replicates within skin cells, causing skin cell proliferation and the formation of flat warts.
