Warts are small harmless, noncancerous skin growths that may be seen on the skin surface or the surface of mucous membranes. Warts in babies may look scary, but in most cases, they are harmless. They are not contagious but might spread through direct contact with another infected person or an object. Read this post to know more about the prevalence, causes, home remedies, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of warts in babies.
How Common Are Warts In Babies?
Warts are not common in infants. Epidemiologic data on warts in children is limited, and the prevalence of this condition in children in infants is not known. However, the available data suggests the occurrence of warts is rare in infants and most commonly appear in school-aged children, predominantly in females, with a pick (1). Incidence between the ages of 12 and 16 years (2).
Types Of Warts
There are various types of warts. Each of them looks different.
Warts might be either single or multiple. They might even have tiny multiple black dots on their surface that come from tiny blood vessels that supply the wart. Knowing the appearance of the wart and its site of occurrence can help parents understand wart in babies.
Causes Of Warts In Babies
Warts are caused by a group of viruses called human papillomavirus (HPV) virus. There are more than 100 strains of HPV that can cause warts. Usually, the virus enters the body through cuts and wounds. However, there are various other modes through which the baby could catch the virus (7).
1. Vertical transmission
From mother: During pregnancy and childbirth (usually when mother has a genital warth during the vaginal delivery) From father: Through an infected sperm
2. Horizontal transmission
Auto or hetero-inoculation: Infected family members can transmit it through direct contact with the baby. A few activities that might cause transmission are changing diapers, cleaning the baby, and kissing the baby
Through contaminated objects like toys and towels
Using common swimming pools
From other babies at the daycare
Babies with weak immune system, like those with HIV or on immunosuppressant drugs are at a higher risk acquiring infection (4).
When To Consult A Doctor?
Mostly, warts do not need medical intervention as they tend to disappear over a period. However, if a wart is accompanied by the following conditions, then take your baby to a doctor.
Warts that are growing too quickly Warts that are bleeding Baby has a fever, loss of appetite, and irritability along with the wart The color of the wart changes You see any pus-like discharge from the wart Any red streaks radiating from the wart, as it indicates infection
If you see any warts in the anogenital region, contact the doctor. They might be contracted during childbirth (8).
Home Remedies For Warts In Babies
Note: A baby’s skin is very tender and delicate. Always watch for any adverse skin reaction or discoloration while using a home remedy. Stop the treatment immediately if any redness or swelling appears. Do a patch test on healthy skin to check for allergies. Be more vigilant with the skin changes in preverbal babies. The following are a few home remedies for warts. Never use home remedies for genital warts and warts on lips and eyes. For these warts, consult a doctor obviously.
How To Diagnose Warts In Babies?
Your baby’s pediatrician can diagnose a wart by physical examination alone. They may ask about the baby’s overall health and if the little one had any history of infections. In very few instances, the doctor may scrape a section of the wart for analysis. Rarely, a biopsy is performed on the wart, usually to rule out the chances of other skin problems (18).
What Is The Treatment For Warts In Babies?
Warts are most often harmless for babies with a healthy immune system, and usually, no treatment is required. The body’s immune system can fight and subdue the virus, thus causing the wart to disappear. It may take a year or more for the wart to go away on its own. If your baby is healthy and growing well during this period, then seldom there is any treatment required. The pediatrician might suggest treatment based on factors like your baby’s overall health, wart size, number of warts, and if the warts are causing any trouble. Based on these factors, any of the following treatment methods (18) may be adopted. The goals of treatment are the destruction of the wart. Warts might recur or spread even after the treatment. Doctors use the least invasive and most gentle methods when treating warts in babies. While treatment of warts exists, prevention is always better than cure.
How To Prevent Warts In Babies?
Taking precautions to prevent the spread of HPV may help prevent warts in babies. You may take the following measures.
If a family member has warts, then they must avoid skin to skin contact with the baby.
Keep the baby’s bath tub, separate from those of other family members.
Wash your baby’s hands every time they come from the daycare, creche, play areas, parks, etc.
Apply antiseptic ointment on burns and cuts on the baby’s skin. Keep deep wounds closed to prevent the entry of,.
Keep the baby’s towels and clothes separate from those of others at home.
If you plan to go swimming with the baby, then choose pools that are clean and well-maintained
The baby should wear footwear while going outdoors and not walk barefoot.
Warts are mostly harmless and often do not require medical intervention. However, they can be contagious, and you must take extra care to prevent transmission of the virus. Keeping the baby healthy by giving them the right nutrition can strengthen their immune system and help fight wart-causing viruses better.
