Papillomas are a problem that many people face. They can appear in different parts of the body, in some cases they are extremely painful, in others they do not cause discomfort. In any case, they become cosmetic defects that bring a lot of anxiety. Arousal is not unfounded, since a virus that causes the development of formations on the skin can lead to oncology.
Most of the world's population are carriers of HPV. This does not mean that we are threatened by a massive epidemic of cancer and other diseases that can occur against the background of a weakened immune system and the appearance of warts, warts and other skin defects. The main task of the patient is to reduce the oncogenic risk. This is possible with regular visits to a dermatovenereologist, conducting the necessary examinations and promptly removing formations.
Why do papillomas appear on the body
There are many reasons that lead to the activation of the virus. The most common is a decrease in immunity, which causes uncontrolled cell reproduction. This is what the innovations look like.
At risk are also people who are promiscuous, often change partners, do not use reliable contraceptives. If a woman has HPV, she will pass it on to her baby during delivery.
The ways the virus enters the body can be different. This is the previously mentioned unprotected intercourse and skin-to-skin contact with the wearer. That is why it is important to follow the simplest hygiene rules: wash your hands after traveling by public transport, do not walk barefoot in swimming pools and saunas, where it is humid and hot - it is the high humidity that creates a favorable environment for infection.
Human papillomavirus: what it is and how it is transmitted
HPV is a virus whose activity manifests itself in a change in the nature of tissue growth. It enters the body mainly through the mucous membranes:
- mouth - during oral sex;
- genital organs - during unprotected intercourse;
- rectum - during anal sex.
As long as a person's immunity is strong enough, the infection does not manifest itself - in this case, it is called latent. As soon as the defenses are reduced, it activates, causing the cells to multiply. The result of unbalanced tissue growth is the appearance of neoplasms: benign, which threaten to turn into malignant.
The appearance of growths of different shapes and sizes on the skin is the main symptom of the human papillomavirus. Most often, condylomas and other types of warts appear in those areas subject to mechanical stress, places characterized by increased sweating (armpits, palms). They can also occur on the genitals, around the anus.
Main routes of infection
- Sexual - occurs during sexual contact with a person who is a carrier of HPV. The virus can be contracted through oral and anal sex.
- Family - is much less common, but still a major one. Infection can be obtained in bathrooms, swimming pools, saunas, showers. Penetrates through wounds, cracks and other skin damage.
- Transmission during childbirth: Transmission of HPV from mother to newborn is the rarest case. But it is also one of the most dangerous due to the threat of respiratory damage.
- 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 cause the onset of malignant neoplasms. The main carcinogenic factors are:
- Promiscuous sex life, many partners, including those with lesions of the genitals with papillomas, warts.
- The presence of venereal and fungal diseases.
- Prolonged use of oral contraceptives, intrauterine device.
- Some gynecological diseases (endometriosis).
Papillomas are transmitted, why do they grow and are they dangerous? We have answered all these questions above. Should tumors be removed? Yes, for several reasons:
- These are cosmetic defects that, unlike moles, do not add charm, but cause severe discomfort, both psychological and physical.
- Since growths most often occur 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.
- Accumulation of HPV causes a pathological change in the cellular genome, which can lead to oncology and other complications.
Previously we told what papilloma is and why these neoplasms appear on the body. We advise you to respond to all changes in the condition of the skin. At the same time, you shouldn't try to get rid of the problem on your own to avoid the risk of skin infections and the transformation of a benign wart into a malignant tumor. Modern medicine has effective non-surgical methods of treatment that will help you forget about cosmetic defects forever and reduce the risk of developing oncology.
Varieties of papillomas: main types and their characteristics
- Flat warts are often round or oval. They practically do not rise above the surface of the epidermis, similar to burns obtained after contact with nettle leaves. Most often they occur during puberty. Locations of localization: neck, hands, face, shins. The color ranges from pink to yellowish. Often such formations itch, cause discomfort.
- Vulgar - the most common variety. Most often they appear on the feet, hands, rise above the skin by 3-10 mm. A whole colony of warts can arise - from the mother and daughter.
- Pointed - most often occurring in the anogenital area, they are small growths with a single lump or many small formations. Color: pink or red. All neoplasms of different sizes. Located directly on the skin or attached to it with a "leg", they cause itching and discomfort and require prompt removal. Such warts are called warts and are transmitted through sexual contact.
- Filamentous - these are the very papillomas we started talking about at the beginning of the article. Most often they appear in people over the age of 35, their growth increases with age. This phenomenon has another name - acrochords. These are filiform growths on the skin that look like a small lump, which gradually grow and become oval, more and more elongated. This type of wart occurs in areas with thin skin that forms wrinkles easily, as well as in places characterized by excessive sweating - on 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 in men, neoplasms of this type appear. Symptoms: pain when urinating, pain in the lower abdomen, hematuria. Large growths can be removed by surgical excision. In this case, it is not the dermatovenereologist who deals with the diagnosis and treatment, but the urologist.
- The defeat of the larynx, trachea, oral cavity - in this case, the warts look like papillae, which gradually grow, which leads to a decrease in the lumen of the airways. If the vocal cords are affected, a speech disorder is possible. This type of manifestation of the virus is particularly dangerous for newborns, who can become infected during delivery from a mother who has passed on the infection to the newborn.
We examined the types of papillomas and the reasons for their appearance on the body, we found out why and from where unsightly neoplasms appear, why they are dangerous. It remains to understand how to get rid of a cosmetic defect that can lead to serious complications.
Features of diagnostics
To find out which method will be most effective, consult a dermatovenerologist. He will prescribe an HPV test (PCR). The method used is one of the most informative. It will help identify the DNA of infection in samples of various secretions, as well as determine the type of virus.
You may also need:
- colposcopy.
- smear for cytology.
- Histological analysis.
What methods remove papillomas
- Cauterization - is produced by special preparations, which include highly purified chemicals - active components that affect neoplasms.
- Removal with liquid nitrogen - exposure to the affected area of the skin at low temperatures. There is an instant freezing of the damaged area, as a result of which the site of formation of the neoplasm loses its sensitivity, from pink or reddish to white. After a few weeks, the nitrogen-treated area heals. The disadvantage of this method - the difficulty of determining the depth of exposure.
- Laser removal - in this case, the papillomas are burned with a laser beam. After the session, a small wound remains on the skin, which must be treated regularly. Heals within a few weeks of cauterization. There is no rehabilitation period, since regeneration processes take place without the intervention of specialists. At the same time, no scars and scars remain at the site of localization of the warts. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not prescribed for various lesions of the epidermis, herpes and infectious diseases. Pregnancy is a contraindication to laser cauterization.
- Electrocoagulation is another method based on exposure to electric current. High temperature causes the destruction of papillomas. However, when the skin is treated in this way, healthy areas are inevitably damaged, which increases the healing time.
- Surgical removal - it is prescribed if the neoplasms have become large and other methods are ineffective. The doctor uses local anesthesia. After the operation, sutures are applied. They are removed one week after the wart is removed.
- Folk methods: very often from papillomas use celandine juice, vinegar, garlic. This is believed to help burn off the neoplasm. These methods are unsafe and cannot reduce the risk of relapse. They often cause damage to the healthy areas of the skin surrounding the growth. We advise you not to get involved in self-treatment, but to consult a doctor in time - only he can determine which of the listed methods is most effective for dealing with the problem.
Often patients of a dermatovenereologist ask whether it is possible to permanently get rid of HPV, which causes unpleasant rashes. We remind you that the virus itself, which is found in the human body and causes uncontrolled cell reproduction, cannot be removed: it remains inside it and will manifest itself in moments of weakening of the immune system, during hormonal disruptions, during stress. As such, 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 primary job of an HPV carrier is to reduce the risk of relapse. For this you need:
- Respect the rules of personal hygiene, including intimate ones.
- Use condoms during sexual contact, avoid promiscuity.
- Maintain the body's defenses.
- Avoid direct contact with carriers of the infection.
Among the means whose action helps to get rid of papillomas and reduce the risk of recurrence, there is a drug that contains anti-inflammatory cytokines that block the synthesis of viral proteins. You can use this cream at home: it is applied once a day during the treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Filiform warts are a phenomenon that signals the need for a full body examination. Do not forget this and go to the doctor on time. Delay increases the risk of developing cancer. Do not try to remove neoplasms on your own - folk methods are not very effective and cannot guarantee the complete disappearance of the accumulation. In addition, they can cause severe skin irritation, damage to it, which will cause a secondary infection and aggravate the situation. Use only those methods recommended by the specialist. In combination with preventive measures, they will help avoid relapses and forget about the problem for many years.