Papillomas are a problem faced by many people. They can appear on different parts of the body, in some cases it is very painful, in some it does not cause discomfort. In any case, they become cosmetic blemishes that bring a lot of concern. The excitement is unfounded, because the virus that triggers the development of the formation on the skin can cause oncology.
Most of the world's population are carriers of HPV. This does not mean that we are threatened with a large epidemic of cancer and other diseases that can occur against the background of a weakened immune system and the appearance of warts, condylomas, and other skin defects. The main task of the patient is to reduce the risk of oncogenic. This is possible with periodic visits to a dermatovenereologist, conducting the necessary examinations and timely removal of the formation.
Why papillomas appear on the body
There are many reasons that lead to virus activation. The most common is decreased immunity, which gives rise to uncontrolled cell proliferation. This is how innovation emerges.
Also at risk are people who flirt, often change partners, do not use reliable contraceptives. If a woman has HPV, she will transmit it to her baby during childbirth.
The way the virus enters the body may be different. This is the unprotected intercourse already mentioned, and skin -to -skin contact with the carrier. That is why it is important to adhere to the simplest rules of hygiene: wash your hands after traveling in public transport, do not walk barefoot in swimming pools and saunas, where it is damp and warm - high humidity creates a favorable environment for infection.
Human papillomavirus: what it is and how it is transmitted
HPV is a virus whose activity is manifested in changes in the nature of tissue growth. It enters the body mainly through the mucous membranes:
- mouth - during oral sex;
- genitals - during unprotected sex;
- rectum - during anal sex.
As long as a person’s immunity is strong enough, the infection is not manifest - in this case, it is called latent. Once the defense is reduced, it is activated, causing the cells to multiply. The result of unbalanced tissue growth is the appearance of neoplasms - benign, threatening to turn malignant.
The appearance of growths of various shapes and sizes on the skin is the main symptom of human papillomavirus. Often, condylomas and other types of warts appear in areas under mechanical stress, places characterized by increased sweating (armpits, palms). It can also occur on the genitals, around the anus.
The main route of infection
- Sexual - occurs during sexual intercourse with someone who is a carrier of HPV. The virus can be transmitted through oral and anal sex.
- Household - is less common, but still one of the main. Infections can be found in bathrooms, swimming pools, saunas, showers. It penetrates through wounds, cracks and other damage to the skin.
- Contagion during childbirth - transmission of HPV from mother to baby is the rarest case. But he is also among the most dangerous because of the threat of damage to the respiratory tract.
- Self -infection is also possible - it occurs when the infection is transferred from one part of the body to another (shaving the legs with a machine, removing unwanted hair).
Oncogenic viruses in the body do not indicate the development of cancer. However, they can lead to the occurrence of malignant neoplasms. The main factors of carcinogenesis are:
- Free sex life, many couples - including those with lesions on the genitals with papillomas, condylomas.
- The presence of venereal and fungal diseases.
- Prolonged use of oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices.
- Some gynecological diseases (endometriosis).
Is a papilloma contagious, why does it grow and is it dangerous? We have answered all the above questions. Should the tumor be removed? Yes, for several reasons:
- This is a cosmetic defect, which, unlike moles, does not add attractiveness, but causes serious discomfort - both psychological and physical.
- Since growth most often occurs in places subject to constant friction, mechanical stress from tight shoes, tight clothing, underwear, there is a high risk of damage. And this leads to the introduction of new infections.
- HPV accumulation gives rise to pathological changes in the cellular genome, which can lead to oncology and other complications.
Earlier we said what is a papilloma and why this neoplasm appears on the body. We advise you to respond to all changes in skin condition. At the same time, you should not try to get rid of the problem itself to avoid the risk of skin infections and the change of benign warts into malignant tumors. Modern medicine has effective non-surgical treatment methods that will help you forget about cosmetic blemishes forever and reduce the risk of developing oncology.
Varieties of papilloma: main types and their characteristics
- Flat warts are usually round or oval. They practically do not rise above the surface of the epidermis, much like burns obtained after contact with nettle leaves. Often it occurs during puberty. Place of localization: neck, hands, face, dry bones. Pink to yellowish color. Often such formations are itchy, causing discomfort.
- Vulgar - the most common variety. Often appears on the feet, hands, rising above the skin by 3-10 mm. Whole colonies of warts can arise - from mother and daughter.
- Pointing - most often occurs in the anogenital zone, it is a small growth with a single nodule or many small formations. Color - pink or red. All neoplasms are of different sizes. They either lie directly on the skin, or are attached to it with "feet", causing itching and discomfort, and require timely removal. Such warts are called warts and are spread through sexual intercourse.
- Filament - this is the papilloma that we started talking about at the beginning of the article. Often they appear in people over the age of 35, their growth increases with age. This phenomenon has another name - acrochords. These are thread-like tumors on the skin that look like small nodules, growing gradually and becoming oval, increasingly elongated. Warts of this type occur in areas with thin skin that easily form wrinkles, as well as in places characterized by excessive sweating - in the neck, in the armpits, under the breasts, in the groin, near the eyes, on the eyelids, etc. .
- Papillomas of the bladder and urethra - most often neoplasms of this type appear in men. Symptoms: pain during urination, pain in the lower abdomen, hematuria. Large tumors can be removed with surgery. In this case, it is not the dermatovenereologist who deals with the diagnosis and treatment, but the urologist.
- Defeat of the larynx, trachea, oral cavity - in this case, the warts look like papillae, which gradually grow, leading to a decrease in the lumen of the airways. If the vocal cords are affected, speech disorders may occur. This type of viral manifestation is especially dangerous for infants, who can be infected during childbirth from a mother who transmits the infection to a newborn.
We examine the type of papilloma and the reason for its appearance in the body, find out why and from which non -aesthetic neoplasms appear, why they are dangerous. It remains to understand how to get rid of cosmetic blemishes that can lead to serious complications.
Diagnostic features
To find out which method is most effective, consult a dermatovenerologist. He or she will prescribe an HPV test (PCR). The method used is one of the most informative. It will help identify infection DNA in samples of various secretions, as well as determine the type of virus.
You may also need:
- Colposcopy.
- smear for cytology.
- Histological analysis.
What is the method of removing papilloma
- Cauterization - produced by special preparations, which include highly purified chemicals - active components that affect the neoplasm.
- Removal with liquid nitrogen - exposure to the affected skin area at low temperatures. There is immediate freezing of the damaged area, as a result of which the site of neoplasm formation loses its sensitivity, from pink or reddish to white. After a few weeks, the area treated with nitrogen healed. Disadvantages of this method: the difficulty of determining the depth of exposure.
- Laser removal - in this case, the papilloma is burned with a laser beam. After the session, small wounds remain on the skin, which must be treated regularly. It healed within a few weeks after cauterization. There is no recovery period, because the regeneration process takes place without expert intervention. At the same time, no scars and scars remain at the site of wart localization. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not prescribed for various epidermal injuries, herpes, and infectious diseases. Pregnancy is a contraindication to laser cauterization.
- Electrocoagulation is another method based on exposure to electric current. High temperatures cause the destruction of the papilloma. However, when treating the skin in this way, healthy areas are definitely injured, which increases healing time.
- Surgical removal - prescribed if the neoplasm has grown to a large size and other methods are ineffective. Doctors use local anesthesia. After surgery, sutures are applied. They are removed a week after wart removal.
- Folk methods - most often from their papillomas use the juice of celandine, vinegar, garlic. It is believed that this helps burn the neoplasm. This method is unsafe and does not reduce the risk of recurrence. They often cause damage to healthy areas of skin around the growth. We advise you not to engage in self -treatment, but to consult a doctor in a timely manner - only he can determine the listed methods that are most effective in dealing with the problem.
Often dermatovenereologist patients ask if it is possible to get rid of HPV permanently, which causes an unpleasant rash. We remind you that the virus itself, which is in the human body and causes uncontrolled cell proliferation, cannot be removed - it remains in it and will manifest in moments of weakness of the immune system, during hormonal disorders, during stress. Therefore, the treatment of the infection itself has not yet been invented. Only its external manifestations are eliminated - warts, papillomas, and other types of warts.
The main job of HPV carriers is to reduce the risk of relapse. For this you need:
- Follow the rules of personal hygiene - including intimate.
- Use a condom during sexual intercourse, avoid free association.
- Take care of the body's defenses.
- Avoid direct contact with the carrier of the infection.
Among the ways in which its action helps eliminate papillomas and reduce the risk of recurrence, are drugs that contain anti-inflammatory cytokines that inhibit viral protein synthesis. You can use this cream at home - it is applied once a day during the treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Filiform warts are a phenomenon that signals the need for a full body examination. Do not forget about it and go to the doctor on time. Delay increases the risk of getting cancer. Do not try to remove the neoplasm yourself - folk methods are not very effective and can not guarantee the complete disappearance of the formation. In addition, they can cause serious skin irritation, damaging it, which will lead to secondary infections and worsen the condition. Use only methods advised by experts. In combination with preventative measures, they will help to prevent relapse and forget about the problem for years.