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 others they cause no discomfort. In any case, they become blemishes that cause a lot of anxiety. The excitement is not unfounded, since a virus that provokes the development of formations on the skin can lead to oncology.
Most of the world's population is a carrier 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, condylomas and other skin defects. The main task of the patient is to reduce the oncogenic risk. This is possible with regular visits to a dermatovenerologist, conducting the necessary examinations and timely removal of formations.
Why 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 provokes uncontrolled cell reproduction. This is how innovations are created.
Also at risk are people who are promiscuous, frequently change partners and do not use reliable contraceptives. When a woman has HPV, she passes it on to her baby during childbirth.
The way the virus enters the body can be different. This is the previously mentioned unprotected sex and skin contact with the wearer. Therefore, it is important to observe the simplest rules of hygiene: wash your hands after using public transport, do not go barefoot to swimming pools and saunas, where it is damp and warm - it is high humidity, which creates a favorable environment forcreates an infection.
Human papillomavirus: what is it and how is it 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 sex;
- rectum - during anal sex.
As long as a person's immunity is strong enough, the infection will not manifest itself - in this case it is called latent. As soon as the defenses decrease, they are activated, causing the cells to multiply. The result of unbalanced tissue growth is the appearance of neoplasms - benign, threatening to become malignant.
The appearance on the skin of growths of various shapes and sizes is the main symptom of the human papillomavirus. Condyloma and other types of warts most often appear in places exposed to mechanical stress, in 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 contact with a person who is a carrier of HPV. The virus can be transmitted through oral and anal sex.
- Household - is much less common, but still one of the most important. Infection can occur in baths, swimming pools, saunas, showers. It penetrates through wounds, cracks and other skin damage.
- Transmission during childbirth - Transmission of HPV from mother to child is the rarest. But it is also one of the most dangerous because of the threat of damage to the respiratory tract.
- Self-infection is also possible - it happens when the infection is spread from one part of the body to another (shaving legs with a machine, removing unwanted hair).
Oncogenic viruses in the body do not indicate the development of cancer. However, they can cause the appearance of malignant neoplasms. The main factors of carcinogenesis are:
- Promiscuous sex life, many partners - including those with lesions of the genitals with papillomas, condylomas.
- The presence of venereal 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 of these questions above. Should tumors be removed? Yes, for several reasons:
- These are cosmetic flaws that, unlike birthmarks, do not add charm, but cause serious discomfort - both psychological and physical.
- Since growths most often appear in places exposed to constant friction, mechanical stress from tight shoes, tight-fitting clothes, underwear, there is a high risk of injury. And this leads to the introduction of new infections.
- The accumulation of HPV provokes a pathological change in the cellular genome, which can lead to oncological and other complications.
Earlier we told what papilloma is and why these neoplasms appear on the body. We advise you to react to any changes in the condition of the skin. At the same time, in order to avoid the risk of skin infection and the transformation of a benign wart into a malignant tumor, you should not try to eliminate the problem yourself. 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 after contact with nettle leaves. They most often appear during puberty. Places of localization: neck, hands, face, shins. The color is pink to yellowish. Often such formations itch and cause discomfort.
- Vulgar - the most common variety. Most often they appear on the feet and hands, rising above the skin by 3-10 mm. A whole colony of warts can develop - from mother and daughter.
- Pointed - most often appear in the anogenital zone, they are small outgrowths 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 attached to it with a "leg", causing itching and discomfort, and they must be removed in a timely manner. Such warts are called warts and are transmitted through sexual contact.
- Filamentous - these are exactly the papillomas that we talked about at the beginning of the article. Most often they appear in people over 35 years old, their growth increases with age. This phenomenon has another name - acrochords. These are threadlike growths on the skin that look like a small nodule and gradually grow and become oval, getting longer and longer. This type of warts appears in places with thin skin that folds 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, onthe eyelids, etc.
- Papillomas of the bladder and urethra - most often, neoplasms of this type are found in men. Symptoms: painful 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 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 respiratory tract. If the vocal cords are affected, a speech disorder is possible. This type of manifestation of the virus is especially dangerous for infants, who can be infected during childbirth from a mother who transmitted the infection to the newborn.
We examined the types of papillomas and the reasons for their appearance on the body, found out why and where unaesthetic 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 dermatovenereologist. He will prescribe an HPV test (PCR). The method used is one of the most informative. It helps identify the DNA of the infection in samples of various secretions and determine the type of virus.
You may also need:
- colposcopy.
- Swab for cytology.
- Histological Analysis.
What methods remove papillomas?
- Cauterization - is produced by special preparations containing highly pure chemicals - active components that affect neoplasms.
- Removal with liquid nitrogen - exposure of the affected skin area to low temperatures. There is an instant freezing of the damaged area, as a result of which the place of formation of the neoplasm loses its sensitivity from pink or reddish to white. After a few weeks, the area treated with nitrogen heals. The disadvantage of this method: the difficulty of determining the depth of exposure.
- Laser removal - in this case, papillomas are burned out with a laser beam. After the session, a small wound remains on the skin, which needs to be treated regularly. It heals within a few weeks after cauterization. There is no rehabilitation period, since the regeneration processes take place without the intervention of specialists. At the same time, no scars and scars remain at the site of localization of warts. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not prescribed for various injuries to the epidermis, herpes and infectious diseases. Pregnancy is a contraindication to laser cautery.
- Electrocoagulation is another method based on the application of electric current. High temperatures cause the destruction of papillomas. However, this treatment of the skin inevitably injures healthy areas, which prolongs the healing time.
- Surgical removal - is prescribed when the neoplasms have grown to large sizes, and other methods are ineffective. The doctor uses a local anesthetic. Stitches are applied after the operation. They are removed a week after the wart is removed.
- Folk methods - most often from papillomas they use celandine juice, vinegar, garlic. This is believed to help cauterize the neoplasm. These methods are unsafe and cannot reduce the risk of recurrence. They often cause damage to healthy areas of skin surrounding the growth. We advise you not to engage in self-treatment, but to consult a doctor in a timely manner - only he can determine which of the listed methods will be the most effective in solving the problem.
Often patients of a dermatovenerologist ask whether it is possible to permanently get rid of HPV, which causes unpleasant rashes. We remind you that the virus itself, which is in the human body and causes uncontrolled cell reproduction, cannot be removed - it remains in it and manifests itself in moments of weakening of the immune system, hormonal disorders and 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 task of an HPV carrier is to reduce the risk of recurrence. For this you need:
- Observe the rules of personal hygiene – also intimate.
- Use condoms during sexual contact, avoid promiscuity.
- Maintain the body's defences.
- Avoid direct contact with carriers of the infection.
Among the funds, the action of which helps to get rid of papillomas and reduce the risk of their recurrence is a drug containing anti-inflammatory cytokines that block the synthesis of viral proteins. You can use this cream at home - it is applied once a day as part of the treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Thread warts are a phenomenon that signals the need for a full examination of the body. Do not forget about it and go to the doctor in time. Delay increases the risk of developing cancer. Do not try to remove neoplasms yourself - folk methods are not very effective and cannot guarantee the complete disappearance of the accumulation. In addition, they can cause severe skin irritation and damage, causing secondary infection and making the situation worse. Only use the methods recommended by professionals. In combination with preventive measures, they will help to avoid relapses and forget about the problem for many years.