A pathological formation such as a papilloma can appear in any person.In addition, the older he is, the greater their number on the body can be.To answer the question of why papillomas appear on human skin, it is necessary to study their nature in more detail.These formations are small benign tumors that develop from epithelial cells.They are located above the epidermis in the form of an irregularly shaped droplet.Sometimes papillomas do not appear on the body, but on mucous membranes, ligaments and some organs.
The pathogen that causes the appearance of papillomas on the body is the human papilloma virus (HPV).Once in the body, it stays there forever.
species
Experts distinguish more than a hundred types of these neoplasms.Fortunately, 5 of them appear most often on the human body.They all differ from each other:
- simplywhich appear on the upper extremities.They can exist for decades, but sometimes disappear on their own.They are most often observed in children and adolescents.
- flat,common on the neck, face, upper limbs.Sometimes they are a major factor in skin inflammation.
- plantar,causing severe discomfort and severe pain.They affect the legs.
- filamentous,common in adults and the elderly.They are most often formed on the neck, groin and armpits.Such papillomas are often located in the eye area.
- pointed,which are often called warts.They form on the genitals and are very dangerous.
Infection
Understanding why papilloma appears on the body, it is necessary to understand how the virus enters the body.There are the following ways to get infected with HPV:
- contact household;
- sexual;
- generic.
The pathogen penetrates even through microscopic damage to the skin.Infection of newborns occurs in the birth canal of the mother - a carrier of the papilloma virus.After infection, the child often develops anogenital warts or develops papillomatosis of the larynx.
Reasons for the appearance
Naturally, the main cause of the formation of papillomas is HPV, but sometimes it does not manifest itself for years and under favorable conditions begins to actively develop on the body.There are various factors that provoke the progression of the disease.Causes of the appearance of papilloma:
- low immunity;
- frequent infectious diseases;
- states of depression and stress;
- alcoholism;
- long-term use of drugs, especially antibiotics;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- visiting public places such as saunas, baths, swimming pools, beaches.
Despite the fact that the causes of the appearance of the virus are different, the combination of several provoking factors causes the growth of a large number of tumors on the body.
Danger of papillomas
A person with HPV is at risk of developing cancer, as several types of papillomavirus are highly oncogenic.
They are often the main cause of the appearance of malignant tumors in the genital area.Tumors most often develop in older people, although recently they have also appeared in quite young women.
Papillomavirus often causes erosion of the cervix, which increases the risk of cancer.For men, the virus does not pose a particular danger, as the probability of developing malignant tumors is very low.Papillomas on the genitals create some discomfort, which can prevent a full sexual life.
These tumors on the body are often damaged.Especially dangerous are injuries and infections of papillomas located in the places of friction of clothes and on the bends of the limbs.
Very often, when shaving, men damage formations located on the face and neck.But any mechanical injury can lead to their infection and degeneration into a malignant tumor.
Signs and diagnosis
After HPV enters the body, the incubation period lasts 2-3 months.In some cases, it can last several years.At the same time, the virus is not revealed in any way, but under favorable conditions papillomas quickly appear on the body.Signs of these neoplasms:
- Simple papillomashard with a rough surface.Their size can vary from 1 mm to several millimeters.They are often located in groups.They form on the palms, fingers and popliteal cavities.Such papillomas grow when the immune system does not work.
- Flat papillomasThe color is practically indistinguishable from skin tone.They look like cones with a flat top.These growths are often red and itchy.
- Plantar formationsvery reminiscent of calluses.In the initial stage of development, small lump-like neoplasms appear, which gradually turn into a papilloma with a characteristic edge.Smaller daughter formations appear next to it.
- Filiform papillomasThey are yellowish cones that gradually increase in length.Their size can reach 1-6 mm.
- Pointed condylomasappear when the immune system malfunctions.In good health, this type of virus can remain latent for decades.Under the influence of provoking factors, characteristic formations appear on the genitals.In men, they are located on the scrotum, the head of the penis and the frenulum.In women, they appear on the clitoris, cervix, labia, vagina and anus.These painless formations, ranging in size from 1 mm to several centimeters, have a thin stalk.They have a flesh-colored, pink or reddish tint.
A dermatologist will help you diagnose a specific type of HPV.Specialists such as urologists and gynecologists also examine the genitals for the presence of tumors.To determine the oncogenicity of the papilloma, a blood test is performed using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and DNA diagnostics.As a rule, the specialist suggests conducting the same tests on the patient's sexual partner.
Women, in addition to the above examinations, undergo colposcopy and biopsy of the genital organs.Patients whose papilloma virus is oncogenic undergo medical examinations by a gynecologist twice a year.Pregnancy planning includes preliminary diagnosis and treatment of the virus.If genital warts are found in a pregnant woman, the specialist recommends removing these tumors.
Treatment
Papillomas can be treated with different methods.Most often, they are removed using various modern methods.These include:
- cryodestruction;
- laser destruction;
- thermocoagulation;
- chemical destruction;
- radiosurgical removal.
If HPV is detected in the body, conservative treatment is prescribed, during which special drugs are used.They stop the reproduction of the virus and increase the activity of immune cells.If the cervix is affected, special ointments are also used, which are applied locally.Treatment of papillomavirus should be comprehensive.
Prevention
Getting rid of these tumors is much more difficult than preventing them from occurring.Knowing why papillomas appear on the body, a person can protect himself as much as possible from infection with this virus.To do this, it is not enough just to eliminate the causes of the disease, but it is necessary to regularly carry out restorative therapy.In addition, you must follow all the rules of personal hygiene.
Since no one is immune to the papillomavirus, a person should strengthen the body's immune system, maintain hygiene, practice protected sex and promptly treat diseases of the nervous system.If these tumors appear, you should definitely undergo an examination by a doctor who will determine the type of HPV and recommend treatment.