Age warts
Martina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.
Age warts (senile warts) are not real warts because they are not caused by viruses. Therefore, they are not contagious. Senile warts, however, are widespread. Because they are benign, they don't necessarily need to be removed. Read everything you need to know about aging warts here: appearance, diagnosis and treatment!
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. L82
How to recognize age warts
Age warts or senile warts (Verrucae seborrhoicae) are wart-like, rounded to oval skin nodules. They are mostly small. They rarely grow to the size of a palm. Age warts develop singly or in majority in many older people (sometimes also in young adults). They occur mainly on the face, the upper body (chest and back), the back of the hand and the front of the arms and legs. Warts on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, on the other hand, are never age warts, but other types of warts.
Note: The medically correct term for age warts is seborrheic keratosis or basal cell papilloma.
Age warts are sharply demarcated and more or less raised. Their color is variable: there are lighter specimens as well as brownish to almost black age warts. Their surface is matt, field and, in the advanced state, fissured. They feel greasy / sebum.
Because senile warts can look so variable overall, experts differentiate between different manifestations. Some examples:
- Acanthotic seborrheic keratosis: broad-based, heavily pigmented, hemispherical age warts that usually appear individually. Often with yellowish-brown horn pearls.
- Verrucous (hyperkeratotic) seborrheic keratosis: light gray skin tumors that are often the size of cherries and have a wart-like surface.
- Stucco keratoses: flat, unpigmented, lentil-sized papules with a rough, whitish surface on the lower legs, back of the foot, forearm extensor sides and back of the hand.
- Pedunculated aging warts: This type can be found around the eyes and in the folds of the body.
- Irritated seborrheic keratosis: reddened, scaly, painful age warts after mechanical irritation (e.g. from tight-fitting clothing).
Age warts: cause
The cause of senile warts is still unclear. However, the small, benign skin tumors are not caused by viruses like the real warts (verrucae). Therefore, they are not contagious.
This is how you can remove age warts
Age warts do not necessarily have to be removed - they are harmless and usually do not cause any discomfort.
Depending on the location, however, the age warts may be exposed to mechanical irritation - for example from clothing that rubs against them. Then it may be advisable to see a doctor to have the age warts removed. The same applies if the person concerned finds the Sborrhoeic warts cosmetically disturbing.
The skin changes must also be removed if the diagnosis is unclear - the doctor is therefore not sure whether it is actually harmless old warts or skin cancer.
Removing Age Warts: Different Methods
There are several ways in which age warts can be treated: Often they are removed with a special medical instrument (sharp spoon, curette). A seborrheic wart can also be removed with a scalpel or laser. In the case of pedicled seborrheic keratosis, the "skin appendage" can be removed with a so-called electric loop.
Remove age warts: what doesn't work
Some people would like to remove their age warts themselves by treating them externally like real warts - for example with ointments, active ingredient plasters or solutions that dissolve the horny layer (keratolytic preparations). However, this does not work with senile warts. So if you want to get rid of your old age warts, you need to see a doctor.
Age warts: do not confuse with ...
Malignant skin tumors: A doctor can usually easily identify age warts by their appearance. However, there are skin changes that are similar to senile warts and must be ruled out in unclear cases. These include above all malignant skin tumors such as black skin cancer (malignant melanoma). To determine whether it is a seborrheic wart or a malignant skin growth, the doctor takes a tissue sample. It is examined histologically in the laboratory.
Precursors of skin cancer: Actinic keratosis is a precursor of skin cancer. This refers to persistently reddened, rough skin changes caused by too much exposure to the sun over a long period of time. They can be confused with old age warts.
Fibromas: A fibroma is a benign, harmless growth of the connective tissue that can be reminiscent of age warts.
Tags: desire to have children hair therapies
