WARTS - CAUSES AND EFFECT

 

WARTS (also called, VERRUCA VULGARIS)

Warts are small, hard, non-cancerous growth on the surface of the skin. It is as well the fleshy bump on the skin or mucous membrane. This disease is commonly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Warts are caused by various strains of human papilloma virus. Different strains may cause warts in different parts of the body and spread from one location on the body to another or from person to person by contact with the wart.

COMMON AREAS AFFECTED INCLUDE:
·       Hands
·       Mouth
·       Face
·       Feet
·       Genitals and any contact area.

TYPES OF WARTS
The following are the types of Warts.
·       Genital warts
·       Flat Warts
·       Filiform warts
·       Periungual warts
·       Plantar warts
 

GENITAL WART (also called CONDYLOMA ACUMINATUM)

Genital Warts is a soft growth that appears on the genital or anus. This soft growth causes pain, discomfort and mostly itching. It is sexually transmitted and thus one of the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Causes of Genital Warts

A certain type of HPV causes genital wart and spread through the following:

• Intercourse, including anal, vaginal-penile and vagina-vagina sex

• Genital touching (skin to skin contact)

• oral sex using mouth, lip or tongue with an infected person

Symtoms

• Skin colored, wart look like rough, whitish grey growth on the skin

• Genital itching or irritation

• Burning sensation

• Mild bleeding

• Discomfort

FLAT WARTS

Flat Warts, also known as Juvenile Warts, usually grow on the face, thighs, or arms. They are often caused by HPV type 3, 10, and 28.

They are small and not immediately noticeable. Flat warts have a flat top, as if they’ve been scraped. They can be flesh-colored, pink, brownish, or slightly yellow. They often grow in large groups of 20 to 200.

Flat warts are not typically painful and tend to appear in areas where there is a cut or break in the skin, such as from shaving your face or legs. They are also common in children and can be spread through direct contact.

 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Signs and symptom of flat warts include:
• Small flat, round, or oval marks on the skin
• Flesh-colored marks usually not painful

 FILIFORM WARTS

Filiform warts grow around your mouth or nose and sometimes on your neck or under your chin. They are contagious and can also spread to other parts of your body.

Filiform warts are small and shaped like a tiny flap or tag of skin. They can project off of your skin in thin, finger-like strands.

Filiform warts are the same color as your skin. They are typically painless unless they occur in a sensitive area like a fold in your skin.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of filiform warts can include:

• small growth that extends off of the skin
• flesh-colored flap
• quick growth usually not painful

PERIUNGUAL WARTS

 

Peringual warts grow under and around the toenails and fingernails. They can be painful and affect nail growth.

They start small about the size of a pinprick, but can grow larger and spread to other areas through direct contact. They may be rough to the touch and have a cauliflower-like appearance.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS 

Signs and symptoms of periungual warts can include:

• rough growth around or under the nail
• painful when size increases
• split skin around nail
• appearance of nail and cuticle may be affected

PLANTAR WARTS

Plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet. Unlike other warts, plantar warts grow into your skin, not out of it.

You can tell you have a plantar wart if you notice what appears to be a small hole in the bottom of your foot that is surrounded by hardened skin. Plantar warts can make walking uncomfortable.

There are two types of plantar warts:

1. Myrmecial-type plantar warts
2. Mosaic-type plantar warts

Myrmecial-Type Plantar Warts

These warts are caused by HPV type 1. 

Signs and symptoms can include:

• deep, tender warts that grow inward due to standing or walking
• pain with direct pressure
• can feel like you are stepping on pebbles
• yellowish skin that appears callus-like
• black dots

Mosaic-type plantar warts

These warts are caused by HPV type 2. 

Signs and symptoms can include:

• small surface-level warts
• a mosaic pattern of multiple warts appearing in clusters
• less painful than myrmecial-type plantar warts

Treatment

All of the above are curable, contact the publisher  

 

COMMON SKIN DISEASES (CELLULITIS)

Skin disease is a condition that affect the skin.  These diseases can be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, fungal infections, allergic reaction, skin cancer, and parasite. 

They can be temporary or permanent and may be painless or painful, some can cause rashes, inflammation, itching or other skin change. 

Some Common Types of Skin Diseases are:

 (1) Cellulitis

(2) Wart
(3) Candidiasis
(4) Lupus
(5) Vitiligo
(6) Rosacea
(7) Acne
(8) Scabies
(9) Thrush
(10) Herpes
(11) Impetigo 
(12) Measles
(13) Psoriasis
(14) Cold Sore, And 
(15) Chickenpox Among Others

CELLULITIS

 

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

This is a common bacterial skin infection that most people believe it is spiritually rooted, others believe it is contacted on the road or as a spell by witchcraft. Kindly read this publication patiently to fact tell if this notion is true! 
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that affect the middle layer of the skin (Dermis) and the tissue below, sometimes the muscle of the skin can be affected, causing redness, warmth, swollen and tenderness. It often affects the lower part of the leg but can occur anywhere on the skin.

 Causes of Cellulitis

Staphylococcus and streptococcus bacterial are the most common causes of cellulitis. However, the skin has many types of bacteria living in it, but the tendency to which these bacterial infects the skin becomes obvious when there is
(1)        A break on the skin
(2)        Insect, animal, and human bite and Sting and
(3)        Use of corticosteroid medicines or other medicine that suppress the immune system

Symptoms of Cellulitis
(1)        Skin redness or inflammation that gets bigger as the infection spreads
(2)        Warm skin on the affected area
(3)        Pain or tenderness in the affected area
(4)        Skin sore or rash that Start and rapidly grow within the first 24 hours.
(5)        Tight, glossy, stretched appearance of the skin.
(6)        Fever. 

Treatment

It will interest you to know that in contrast to the popular believe that this sickness cannot be cured medically, modern research has reveal simple treatment to this disease such as antibiotics, pain relieve and anti-inflammatory. Contact Nurse ID or seek the attention of health care providers for treatment.

 

HEALTHY LIVING (Part 2)

 
NUTRITION

For A Healthy Living

Definition of Nutrition

Nutrition is anything that provides nourishment and maintenance of life and growth.

There are six categories of nutrients that the body needs to acquire from food: protein, carbohydrates, fat, fibers, vitamins and minerals, and water.

v Proteins
Protein supplies amino acids to build and maintain healthy body tissue. There are 20 amino acids considered essential because the body must have all of them in the right amounts to function properly. Twelve of these are manufactured in the body but the other eight amino acids must be provided by the diet. Foods from animal sources such as milk or eggs often contain all these essential amino acids while a variety of plant products must be taken together to provide all these necessary protein components..

v Fat

Fat supplies energy and transports nutrients. There are two families of fatty acids considered essential for the body: the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are required by the body to function normally. They can be obtained from canola oil, flax seed oil, cold-water fish, or fish oil, all of which contain omega-3 fatty acids, and primrose or black currant seed oil, which contains omega-6 fatty acids

v Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy and should be the major part of total daily intake. There are two types of carbohydrates: simple carbohydrates (such as sugar or honey) or complex carbohydrates (such as grains, beans, peas, or potatoes). Complex carbohydrates are preferred because these foods are more nutritious yet have fewer calories per gram compared to fat and cause fewer problems with overeating than fat or sugar. Complex carbohydrates also are preferred over simple carbohydrates by diabetics because they allow better blood glucose control.

v Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins are organic substances present in food and required by the body in a small amount for regulation of metabolism and maintenance of normal growth and functioning. The most commonly known vitamins are A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid), B12 (cobalamin), C (ascorbic acid), D, E, and K. The B and C vitamins are watersoluble, excess amounts of which are excreted in the urine. The A, D, E, and K vitamins are fat-soluble and will be stored in the body fat.
Minerals are vital to our existence because they are the building blocks that make up muscles, tissues, and bones. They also are important components of many life-supporting systems, such as hormones, oxygen transport, and enzyme systems.
Water helps to regulate body temperature, transports nutrients to cells, and rids the body of waste materials

Benefits of Good Nutrition
       i.  A healthy diet is essential for good health and nutrition.
     ii.   It reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
  iii.   Lower high level of cholesterol.
   iv.   It boosts immunity
     v.  It increases energy level.
   vi.  Also reduces high blood pressure

 

HEALTHY LIVING (Part 1)

Healthy living means maintaining a healthy lifestyle and inculcating habit that improves and promotes good health.

Factors That Promote Healthy Living

1.     Exercise

2.     Nutrition

3.     Relaxation

Exercise: According to Daniel Bubnis (2019), Exercise involves engaging in physical activity and increasing the heart rate beyond resting levels. It is an important part of preserving physical and mental health

Exercise Fig. 1

Exercise Fig. 2

Exercise Fig. 3

Health Benefits of Exercise

1. Exercise has been found to improve mental health
2. It reduces the risk of heart disease, like high blood pressure
3. Exercise helps to maintain a healthy body weight
4. It reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
5. It keeps the joint flexible by reducing the risk of osteoarthritis
6. It enhances emotional stability
7. It also reduces the feeling of depression
8. It boosts immunity
9. It improves sleep quality and energy
10. It improves the overall fitness
11. Making physical activity a great way to boost your mood and live a healthy life.