Verruca Plana is also known as flat warts. They are usually harmless and painless, and many go away on their own after months to years. They tend to stay small in size, but they can be numerous in quantity. They often spread to other places on the body by scratching or shaving.

Causes of Verruca Plana

They are common growths caused by an infection of the surface (superficial) skin with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which thickens the top skin layer.

Warts may spread in humans by person-to-person contact or, rarely, by touching an object used by an infected person. They are not highly contagious and usually require a small break in the skin to become infected.

Warts can be found on people of all ages, all races, and both sexes. However, warts are most commonly seen in youths aged 12-16 years. In fact, it is estimated that 20% of schoolchildren have warts. Additionally, whites are more often affected with warts than darker-skinned persons.

People with weakened immune systems (such as with HIV or following an organ transplant) have more trouble with warts.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common locations for flat warts include the following:

• Face, especially in children
• Neck
• Backs of hands
• Arms
• Legs, especially in women who shave
• Beard area, especially in men who shave

Flat warts are very slightly raised smooth skin-colored bumps ranging in size from 1 to 5 mm. Flat warts are usually numerous and may appear in a line because of reinfection within the same person (autoinoculation) from scratching or shaving.

Gradation of warts:

Infection with flat warts can be graded as follows:

• Mild: one or a few painless warts
• Moderate: 10 - 100 painless lesions
• Severe: more than 100 lesions that cause enough pain to limit normal life activities

Conventional Treatment

• Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery)
• Burning with an electric needle (electrocautery)
• Using a laser to disrupt the blood supply of the warts
• Application of cantharidin, podophyllin, tretinoin, or salicylic acid
• Injection with bleomycin, a chemotherapy drug, directly into the warts
• Application of imiquimod, a cream that induces your immune system to destroy the warts

homeopathic treatment:

Homeopathy medicines have anti-viral efficacy and it works very well for Verruca Plana. Homeopathy is strongly suggested for all cases of Verruca Plana.

Homeopathic Remedies for Verruca plana

Some of the commonly indicated homeopathic medicines for verruca plans are as under:

Anacardium orientalis: This is an example of how a toxic plant substance if transformed into effective yet safe homeopathic medicine. Patients with warts required in Anacardium often warts on palms or soles. The warts are likely to be flat, in the palms and soles or near the fingers or toes. At the level of mind and emotions, the patient may have a lack of self-confidence, be indecisive, and have some form of weakness, called neurasthenia. Such patients often have dual thoughts, which may be contrary to each other. However, it is not necessary that the patients with warts requiring Anacardium have to have such emotional symptoms.

Causticum: One of the greatest homeopathic medicines for warts of all types, including verruca plana, warts on the neck, palms, face, or anywhere on the body. Individuals requiring Causticum for warts tend to have the strong mental capability, powerful moral courage, and fearlessness. Such patients tend to be defiant, and yet, they are likely to have compassion and sympathy for their fellow beings. Kind-hearted yet strong-willed, that is the combination this remedy has. Causticum may help get rid of warts of many types, including warts on the genitals. Yes, please remember, Causticum cannot remove or cure skin tags which are often found on the neck and armpits.