Papilloma is a benign skin tumor in the form of small formations and warts.Today, it has been proven that papillomas have a viral origin.You can contract the disease through household contact, when the virus enters the skin through small breaks and microcracks.Currently, several main types of papillomas are found: flat, simple, plantar, filiform and pointed.There are papillomas that are transmitted through unprotected sex.Such neoplasms are called genital warts and pose a great danger to a woman's health.The place of their localization is the external genitalia, the cervix.Such papillomas usually go unnoticed, as they do not reveal their presence in any way.However, there is a high probability of their transformation into a malignant tumor of the mucous membrane of the cervix.
Causes of papillomas
The causative agent of the disease is the human papilloma virus (abbreviated HPV), which belongs to the Papoviridae family.Once inside the human body, the papilloma virus penetrates into the basal cells of the epithelium, where it actively reproduces.The appearance of papillomas or warts on the skin is the result of high activity of the virus.The neoplasm itself consists of epithelial tissue containing blood vessels, so injury to it can lead to bleeding.
The formation of most papillomas localized on the outer shell of the body is not accompanied by the appearance of any symptoms.Sometimes they can be felt through a slight tingling and itching of the skin.Papilloma can be recognized by its appearance.Externally, this is a small growth that rises above the skin and, as a rule, does not differ in color from it.Sometimes light brown papillomas are found.Large neoplasms, reaching two centimeters and located in exposed parts of the body (neck, décolleté, face), can cause aesthetic discomfort.
The cause of papilloma is most often a weakened immune system that is not able to cope with the virus that entered the body in time.Risk factors include: smoking, alcohol abuse, frequent stress, diseases of the digestive system, promiscuity.You can also catch the disease when you visit swimming pools, saunas and public baths.Papilloma is transmitted from mother to baby at birth.Located in the deep layers of the epithelium and not felt, the virus is considered latent;does not pose a threat either to its carrier or to its environment.Therefore, its presence in the human body is not an indication for treatment.Papilloma becomes contagious when it reaches the upper layers of the skin and is localized above its surface in the form of a visible neoplasm.
Treatment of papillomas
Self-treatment of papilloma is not recommended.At best, the result will be no positive result;at worst, a secondary infection will be introduced under the skin.You cannot remove the papilloma yourself, pull it out, comb it or scratch it with your nails.Improperly removed papilloma will form again in the same place after some time.Therefore, this delicate matter should be entrusted to a specialist - a dermatologist.
Today there are several ways to remove papilloma:
- Electrocoagulation;
- Laser removal;
- Radioknife removal;
- Cryodestruction.
Electrocoagulation involves exposure of the affected area of the skin to a high-frequency current, under the influence of which the protein tissue coagulates.Anesthesia is used in the case of removal of a large papilloma.The main advantage of this method is that the removal procedure itself is completely bloodless, after which no noticeable traces of medical intervention remain on the skin.
The use of lasers for medical purposes has greatly facilitated the lives of both doctors and patients.Today, much more serious laser operations are performed than the removal of a simple wart.The laser method for removing benign skin tumors is recognized throughout the world.There are many advantages: quick procedure, relative painlessness, lack of blood and scars on the skin that form after removal of the papilloma with a surgical scalpel.After laser removal of the papilloma, a thin protective film forms on the patient's skin, which disappears on its own after 12-14 days, leaving in its place healthy skin that does not differ from the rest of the body.
For patients who are afraid of the recurrence of the papilloma or have already had an unsuccessful attempt to get rid of it, it is recommended to remove the tumor using a special radio knife, which cuts off the entire area of epithelial tissue along with the papilloma located on it.The operation, of course, is performed under anesthesia and guarantees getting rid of the papilloma in this area of the skin for life.
Another modern way to remove unwanted defects on the skin is cryodestruction - burning the tumor with liquid nitrogen.The procedure itself is painless, but there is one drawback - in some cases, for example, with genital warts, it is ineffective.
A specialist can advise which method is most effective for removing the papilloma in each specific case.After you have decided to get rid of the unpleasant manifestation of the virus on your skin once and for all, you should pay special attention to the institution where the procedure itself will be performed.Now, many beauty salons offer the removal of moles, papillomas and warts for a relatively low fee, but most of them cannot guarantee complete safety of the removal and the absence of unwanted consequences.As practice shows, it is recommended to remove all skin tumors, including papillomas, only in medical facilities and after consultation with a dermatologist who will diagnose the disease, determine its exact origin and only then prescribe the removal procedure.