Papillomas in the human body are foci of pathological proliferation of epidermal and mucous cells.
In most cases, papillomas are benign.However, such neoplasms can bring not only aesthetic problems, but also act as a harbinger of dangerous conditions in the body, such as cancer.
"How to get rid of papillomas?"- an urgent question that worries many people.Let's try to understand why papillomas appear on the body and what dangers to human health can arise from skin growths that seem harmless at first glance.
Why do papillomas appear?
The reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the body can be divided into the main (main) and associated ones, which rather act as triggers for the formation of visual manifestations of the disease.The cause of skin papillomas, which is considered the main and not an alternative, is the patient's infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which in medical practice is classified as a group of papillomaviruses.
Statistics show the highest level of HPV prevalence in the population of our planet, saying that 9 out of 10 people are carriers of one of the 100 types of this virus recognized by official medicine.Moreover, each of the isolated types of the viral agent has different characteristics, areas of localization and the likelihood of developing complications and unpleasant consequences.
Despite its prevalence, the papilloma virus has relatively low resistance to aggressive environmental factors, which dictates the dominance of the contact route of its transmission from the carrier to a healthy person.The risk of infection is especially high during prolonged contact with the bare skin of a person suffering from the disease, which is observed, for example, during a massage.In medical practice, there are also cases of domestic spread of a viral agent that enters the patient's body through ordinary objects, however, this reason for the appearance of papillomas is significantly inferior to the contact mechanism of virus spread.
When HPV enters the skin, it mainly affects the basal layer of the epidermis, remaining in a latent state for a long time, which is characterized by an asymptomatic course of the disease.This condition most often accompanies an incubation period, which lasts from 1 to 6 months, but can continue for years.
The following factors act as provoking agents for the appearance of papillomas on the skin:
temporary decrease in immunity or development of an immunodeficiency condition (HIV, AIDS);the presence of microtraumas, cracks, scratches, open wounds on the surface of the patient's skin;hormonal imbalance, which can be associated with pregnancy, lactation, menopause, etc.;promiscuous sexual intercourse, oral sex with a carrier of the papilloma virus;nervous-emotional tension, stress, physical or mental fatigue;bad habits, poor nutrition;endometriosis.
Symptoms of papillomas
The penetration of the papilloma virus into the human blood is not accompanied by a complex of pronounced symptoms, which complicates the diagnosis of the disease.The patient does not even suspect that he is not only a carrier of a viral agent, but can also infect other people.The main symptom of infection is the direct formation of a skin tumor on the body, which can be located in almost any part of the human body.
Numerous photos on the Internet clearly show what the papilloma looks like on the body.Typically, a skin growth is represented by an oval or dome-shaped compression, or a papule, which is attached to the tissue via a thin stalk or thick base.The characteristics of the color of the papilloma on the skin can vary greatly, from light pink to dirty brown.
Some HPV strains are characterized by multiple manifestations, which may be associated with fusion of individual neoplasms.As a result, an epidermal structure is formed that looks like a cauliflower with lobes.
Common types of papillomas
As mentioned above, medicine recognizes more than 100 types of viruses, which indicates the variety of disease manifestations.However, about 10 types of HPV are considered the most common:
- Papilloma vulgaris.They are oval seals that may have a yellow keratinized surface.Vulgar papillomas on the hands of adult patients are the most common localization option, while children are more often characterized by a location of growths on the knee;
- Plantar papilloma.The causes of papilloma on the feet are HPV types 1, 2 and 4, which are manifested by the formation of single or multiple growths on the sole of the foot, which, as they grow, make it difficult to walk.Moreover, such structures are often confused with calluses, which complicates the identification and timely treatment of papillomas;
- Flat papillomas.They are provoked by HPV types 3 and 10 and appear as multiple flat lumps, of constant color, with a smooth surface;
- Filiform papilloma.They are more typical for the older age group of patients, whose age exceeds 50 years.Yellow lumps or growths are located on the eyelids, groin, armpit and neck.If a filamentous neoplasm is subjected to trauma or constant friction with clothing, the treatment of the inflamed papilloma should be carried out as soon as possible;
- Lewandowski-Lutz papillomas.This type of skin manifestation is often called epidermodysplasia verruciformis, which manifests as numerous macular warts localized on the arms and legs, with different color characteristics;
- Genital warts.The most dangerous type of symptomatic manifestation of the human papillomavirus.Growths are growths with pink or gray tips located on the external and internal genitals, as well as on the pubic area and tongue;
- Juvenile papillomas.Caused by HPV types 6 and 11. They affect the larynx area, complicating the breathing process and complicating the patient's normal speech.Infection usually occurs during childbirth, transmitting the virus from the mother's vagina to the child;
- Local epithelial hyperplasia.This manifestation is a consequence of HPV type 13 and 32 infection, which is expressed by the formation of numerous papillary rashes, prone to fusion, on the tongue and the red border of the lips.
What is papilloma and how dangerous is it, we will try to understand below.
Are papillomas on the body dangerous?
In fact, papillomas cannot be considered completely harmless neoplasms, since in the absence of timely treatment, they can spread to healthy tissues, which is called autoinoculation, and cause multiple warts.However, this is also not the main factor why papillomas on the body are dangerous.Here lies the answer to the urgent question of many patients about how a mole differs from a papilloma.A mole, being a simple accumulation of pigment, does not pose a risk to human health.
The main risks associated with the presence of papillomas in the body include the possibility of melanization of the neoplasm, which consists in the malignant degeneration of the tumor.As a result, the patient may experience an oncological process or be diagnosed with a precancerous condition.The possibility of such a result depends on the type of HPV and the location of the papillomas.For example, genital warts located on the surface of the cervix in 50% of cases provoke cancer of this organ.
Another risk is the high risk of mechanical damage to the papilloma, which can lead to heavy bleeding, wound infection and the formation of scars or scars on the skin.Based on this, to the question of whether it is necessary to remove papillomas on the body, the answer should be only positive.
How to remove papillomas on the body?
Removal of papillomas should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist, after all the necessary diagnostic procedures have been carried out, which usually include PCR diagnostics, microscopic examination of epithelial scrapings and, if necessary, histological examination of papilloma tissue.In this case, there are several options on how to get rid of papillomas on the body:
- Cryodestruction– removal of papillomas using liquid nitrogen;
- Electrocoagulation- the destruction of a neoplasia under the influence of an electrical impulse;
- Surgical excision- the most radical and traumatic method of removing papillomas;
- Laser removal of papillomas– growth destruction by a directed laser beam.
The last option is the most atraumatic, safe and painless way to remove papillomas from the body.The removal of papillomas by laser has gained wide popularity due to the absence of post-procedure marks, wounds and scars, as well as the fact that laser destruction does not require preparation and rehabilitation.
Laser removal of papillomas can be done in just a few minutes.Another advantage of the manipulation is the ability of the laser beam to activate the regenerative ability of the epidermis, which ensures the rapid healing of the treatment site, which usually lasts no more than two weeks.
Despite the need for mechanical removal of skin defects, when answering the question of how to cure papilloma once and for all, one cannot fail to mention the need to organize antiviral therapy and to thoroughly strengthen the patient's immunity.
Which doctor should I contact about papillomas and where can I remove papillomas on the body?
When you are concerned about the question of which doctor treats papillomas, you should first contact specialists who will conduct an initial examination and make a diagnosis.Specialists in modern clinics have extensive experience in laser papilloma removal using the latest medical equipment.By contacting a professional medical center, the patient will receive detailed advice, including the question of how much it costs to remove a papilloma.