Papillomas are a problem that many people face. They can appear on different parts of the body, in some cases they are extremely painful, in some they do not cause discomfort. In any case, they turn into cosmetic flaws that bring a lot of concern. The excitement is not unfounded, as a virus that provokes the development of formations on the skin can lead to oncology.
The majority of the world's population is infected with 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 patient's main task is to reduce the oncogenic risk. This is possible with regular visits to a dermatovenerologist, conducting the necessary examinations and timely removal of tumors.
Why do papillomas appear on the body
There are many reasons leading to the activation of the virus. The most common is a decrease in immunity, which provokes uncontrolled cell proliferation. This is how innovation comes about.
At risk are also people who are indiscriminate, often change partners, do not use reliable contraceptives. If a woman has HPV, she will pass it on to her baby during childbirth.
The ways in which the virus enters the body can be different. This is the already mentioned unprotected intercourse, and skin-to-skin contact with the wearer. That is why it is important to follow the simplest rules of hygiene: wash your hands after traveling on public transport, do not walk barefoot in swimming pools and saunas, where it is humid 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 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 - in case of unprotected sexual 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 protective forces are reduced, it is activated, which causes the cells to multiply. The result of unbalanced tissue growth is the appearance of neoplasms - benign, threatening to become malignant.
The appearance of growths of various shapes and sizes on the skin is the main symptom of the human papillomavirus. Most often, warts and other types of warts appear in those areas that are subjected to mechanical stress, places characterized by increased sweating (armpits, palms). They can also appear on the genitals around the anus.
Main routes of infection
- Sexual - occurs during sexual intercourse with a person who is a carrier of HPV. The virus can be contracted through oral and anal sex.
- Household - is much rarer, but still one of the main. The infection can occur in baths, swimming pools, saunas, showers. Penetrates wounds, cracks and other skin lesions.
- Transmission at birth - HPV transmission from mother to baby is the rarest case. But it is also one of the most dangerous due to the threat of airway damage.
- Self-infection is also possible - it occurs when the infection is transmitted from one part of the body to another (shaving the legs with a machine, removing unwanted hair).
Oncogenic viruses in the body do not show the development of cancer. However, they can cause malignant neoplasms. The main factors of carcinogenesis are:
- Indiscriminate sex life, many partners - including those with lesions of the genitals with papillomas, warts.
- The presence of sexually transmitted and fungal diseases.
- Prolonged use of oral contraceptives, intrauterine device.
- Some gynecological diseases (endometriosis).
Are papillomas transmitted, why do they grow and are they dangerous? We answered all these questions above. Do tumors need to be removed? Yes, for several reasons:
- These are cosmetic defects that, unlike moles, do not add charm, but cause serious discomfort - both psychologically and physically.
- As the growths most often occur in places subject to constant friction, mechanical stress from tight shoes, tight-fitting clothing, underwear, there is a high risk of damage. And this leads to the entry of new infections.
- The accumulation of HPV provokes a pathological change in the cellular genome, which can lead to oncology and other complications.
Earlier we said what is a papilloma and why these tumors appear on the body. We advise you to react to any changes in the condition of the skin. At the same time, you should not try to get rid of the problem yourself to avoid the risk of skin infection 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 usually round or oval. They practically do not rise above the surface of the epidermis, similar to burns received after contact with nettle leaves. They most often appear during puberty. Places of localization: neck, arms, face, shins. The color is pink to yellowish. Often such formations itch, cause discomfort.
- Vulgar - the most common variety. Most often they appear on the legs, arms, rise above the skin by 3-10 mm. A whole colony of warts can arise - from mother and daughter.
- Exacerbated - most common in the anogenital area, are small growths with a single node or many small formations. Color - pink or red. All neoplasms of different sizes. They are either located directly on the skin or are attached to it with a "foot", cause itching and discomfort and require timely removal. Such warts are called warts and are transmitted through sexual contact.
- Filamentous - these are the papillomas themselves, which we started talking about at the beginning of the article. They most often occur in people over the age of 35, their growth increases with age. This phenomenon has another name - acrochords. These are filamentous growths on the skin that look like a small knot, gradually growing and becoming oval, more and more elongated. This type of wart appears in areas with thin skin that easily forms wrinkles, as well as in places characterized by excessive sweating - on the neck, armpits, under the chest, in the groin, near the eyes, on the eyelids and others. .
- Papillomas of the bladder and urethra - the most common neoplasms of this type occur in men. Symptoms: pain during urination, pain in the lower abdomen, hematuria. Large growths can be removed by surgical excision. In this case, it is not the dermatovenerologist who deals with the diagnosis and treatment, but the urologist.
- The lesion of the larynx, trachea, oral cavity - in this case the warts look like papillae that gradually grow, leading to a reduction in the lumen of the airways. If the vocal cords are affected, speech impairment is possible. This type of virus is especially dangerous for infants, who can become infected during childbirth from a mother who has transmitted the infection to the newborn.
We looked at the types of papillomas and the reasons for their appearance on the body, we understood why and where non-aesthetic neoplasms appear, why they are dangerous. It remains to be seen how to get rid of a cosmetic defect that can lead to serious complications.
Characteristics of the diagnosis
To find out which method will be most effective, consult a dermatologist. He will prescribe an HPV test (PCR). The method used is one of the most informative. It will help to identify the DNA of the infection in samples of various secretions, as well as to determine the type of virus.
You may also need:
- Colposcopy.
- cytology smear.
- Histological analysis.
What methods to remove papillomas
- Cauterization - is produced by special preparations that include highly purified chemicals - active components that affect neoplasms.
- Liquid nitrogen removal - exposure of the affected area of skin at low temperatures. There is an instant 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 nitrogen-treated area heals. The disadvantage of this method: the difficulty in determining the depth of exposure.
- Laser removal - in this case the papillomas are burned with a laser beam. After the session, a small sore remains on the skin, which should be treated regularly. Heals within a few weeks after cauterization. There is no period of rehabilitation, as the regeneration processes take place without the intervention of specialists. At the same time at the site of localization of warts no scars and scars remain. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not prescribed for various injuries of the epidermis, herpes and infectious diseases. Pregnancy is a contraindication to laser cauterization.
- Electrocoagulation is another method based on exposure to electric current. The high temperature causes the destruction of papillomas. However, when treating the skin in this way, healthy areas inevitably get hurt, which increases the healing time.
- Surgical removal - prescribed if the neoplasms have grown to large sizes and other methods are ineffective. The doctor uses local anesthesia. Sutures are placed after the operation. They are removed a week after the removal of the wart.
- Folk methods - most often from papillomas use the juice of celandine, vinegar, garlic. This is thought to help burn the neoplasm. These methods are dangerous and cannot reduce the risk of recurrence. They often cause damage to healthy areas of skin around growth. We advise you not to engage in self-medication, but to consult a doctor in time - only he can determine which of the following methods is most effective in dealing with the problem.
Dermatovenereologists often ask if it is possible to get rid of HPV forever, which causes unpleasant rashes. We remind you that the virus itself, which is in the human body and provokes uncontrolled cell proliferation, can not be removed - it remains in it and will manifest itself in moments of weakening the immune system, hormonal disorders, 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 main task of the HPV carrier is to reduce the risk of recurrence. For this you need:
- Follow the rules of personal hygiene - including intimate.
- Use condoms during sexual intercourse, avoid promiscuity.
- Maintain the body's defenses.
- Avoid direct contact with carriers of the infection.
Among the drugs whose action helps to get rid of papillomas and reduce the risk of their recurrence 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 course of treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Filamentous warts are a phenomenon that signals the need for a complete examination of the body. Do not forget about it and go to the doctor on time. Delay increases the risk of developing cancer. Do not try to remove the neoplasms yourself - folk methods are not very effective and can not guarantee the complete disappearance of the accumulation. In addition, they can cause serious skin irritation, damage to the skin, which will cause secondary infection and worsen the situation. Use only those methods that the specialist recommends. Combined with preventive measures, they will help avoid recurrences and forget about the problem for many years.