Papillomas on the human body are the focus of pathological proliferation of epidermal cells and mucous membranes.
In most cases, papillomas are benign.However, such tumors can not only bring cosmetic troubles, but also serve 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 figure out why papillomas appear on the body and what dangers to human health can arise from seemingly harmless skin growths.
Why do papillomas appear?
The causes of the appearance of papillomas on the body can be divided into primary (main) and accompanying, which act as a stimulus for the formation of visual manifestations of the disease.The cause of cutaneous papillomas, considered the leading and irreplaceable cause, is the patient's infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which in medical practice is classified as a group of human papillomaviruses.
Statistics demonstrate the highest prevalence of HPV in the population of our planet, stating that 9 out of 10 people carry one of the 100 strains of this virus officially known to medicine.Furthermore, each type of isolated viral agent has different characteristics, localization and the possibility of developing complications and unpleasant consequences.
Although common, papillomaviruses have relatively low resistance to harsh environmental factors, suggesting that the carrier-to-healthy person route of transmission predominates.The risk of infection is especially high with prolonged contact with the bare skin of an infected person, such as during a massage.In medical practice, there are also cases of household spread of a viral agent that enters the patient's body through common objects, however, the reasons for the appearance of this papilloma are significantly inferior to the mechanism of viral contact.
When HPV penetrates the skin, it mainly affects the basal layer of the epidermis, remaining in a latent state for a long time, characterized by an asymptomatic course of the disease.The condition is often accompanied by an incubation period, which lasts from 1 to 6 months but can persist for many years.
The following factors act as provoking factors for the appearance of papillomas on the skin:
temporary decrease in immunity or development of immunodeficiency (HIV, AIDS);the presence of small wounds, cracks, scratches, open wounds on the surface of the patient's skin;hormonal imbalance, which can be related to pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, etc.;promiscuous sex, oral sex with a person carrying the papilloma virus;neuro-emotional stress, tension, physical or mental fatigue;bad habits, poor nutrition;Endometriosis.
Symptoms of papillomas
The entry of papilloma virus into the human blood is not accompanied by a pronounced complex of symptoms, which complicates the diagnosis of the disease.The patient does not even suspect that he is not only a carrier of a viral disease, but can also infect others.The main symptom of infection is the direct formation of skin tumors on the body, which can be localized in almost any part of the human body.
Countless photos on the Internet clearly show what papillomas look like on the body.Most often, the skin growth is represented by an oval or dome-shaped growth, or a nodule, attached to the tissue through a thin stalk or thick base.The color characteristics of skin papillomas can vary widely, from light pink to dirty brown.
Some strains of HPV are characterized by multiple manifestations, which may be accompanied by combinations of individual tumors.As a result, an epidermal structure is formed that resembles a lobulated cauliflower.
Common types of papillomas
As mentioned above, medicine knows more than 100 types of viruses, which shows the diversity of disease manifestations.However, there are about 10 types of HPV that are considered the most common:
- Common papilloma.They are oval-shaped seals that may have a keratinized yellow surface.Vulvar papillomas on the hands of adult patients are the most common localization option, while children are often characterized by the location of tumors in the knees;
- Plant papilloma.The causative agents of foot papillomas are HPV types 1, 2 and 4, manifested by the formation of one or more tumors on the soles of the feet. When they develop, it will cause difficulty in walking.Furthermore, such structures are often confused with calluses, which complicates timely identification and treatment of papillomas;
- Flat papilloma.They are stimulated by HPV types 3 and 10 and appear as many flat lumps, constant color, smooth surface;
- Fibrous papilloma.They are most typical of older patients over the age of 50. Yellow bumps or lumps are concentrated in the eyelids, groin, armpits, and neck.If the fibrous papilloma is subjected to trauma or constant friction with clothing, treatment of the inflamed papilloma must be carried out as quickly as possible;
- Lewandowski-Lutz papilloma.This type of skin manifestation is often called epidermal wart dysplasia, manifesting as multiple macular warts localized on the hands and feet, with different color characteristics;
- Genital warts.The most dangerous type of symptomatic manifestation of human papillomavirus.The tumors are pointed pink or gray growths located on the external and internal genitalia, as well as in the pubic area and tongue;
- Adolescent papilloma.Caused by HPV types 6 and 11.They affect the larynx area, complicating the respiratory process and the patient's ability to speak normally.Infection often occurs during childbirth, by transmitting the virus from the mother's vagina to the baby;
- Localized epithelial hyperplasia.This manifestation is a consequence of infection with HPV types 13 and 32, manifested by the formation of multiple, easily fused papillary rashes on the tongue and red edges of the lips.
What is papilloma and how dangerous it is, we will try to find out below.
Are papillomas on the body dangerous?
In fact, papillomas cannot be considered completely harmless tumors, because if not treated promptly, they can spread to healthy tissues, a so-called autoinfection process, and cause many warts.However, this is not the key factor that makes papillomas on the body dangerous.Hidden here is also the answer to many patients' urgent question about how moles differ from papillomas.Moles, which are simple accumulations of pigment, do not pose a danger to human health.
The main risks associated with the presence of papillomas on the body include the melanogenic potential of the tumor, including malignant degeneration of the tumor.As a result, patients may undergo a cancerous process or be diagnosed with a precancerous condition.The likelihood of such an outcome depends on the type of virus and the area of localization of the papilloma.For example, genital warts located on the surface of the cervix in 50% of cases cause cancer of this organ.
Another danger is the high risk of mechanical damage to the papilloma, which can lead to severe 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 must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist, after carrying out all necessary diagnostic procedures, which usually include PCR diagnostics, microscopic examination of epithelial scratches and, if necessary, histological examination of papilloma tissue.In this case, there are several options on how to remove papillomas on the body:
- Cold destruction– papilloma removal with liquid nitrogen;
- Burn electricity- destroy tumors under the influence of electrical pulses;
- Surgical excision– the most radical and traumatic method of removing papillomas;
- Laser papilloma removal– destroy growth with a directed laser beam.
The last option is the most gentle, safe and painless way to remove papillomas from the body.Laser papilloma removal has gained widespread popularity due to the absence of marks, scars and scars after the procedure, as well as due to the fact that laser destruction does not require preparation and recovery.
Laser papilloma removal can be done in just a few minutes.Another advantage of the operation is the ability of the laser beam to activate the regenerative capacity of the epidermis, ensuring that the treatment site heals quickly, which usually takes no more than two weeks.
Although it is necessary to mechanically remove 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 comprehensively strengthen the patient's immunity.
Which doctor should I contact when I have papillomas and where can papillomas be removed on my body?
When interested in the question of which doctor treats papillomas, you should first contact the specialists who will perform the initial examination and diagnosis.Specialists in modern clinics have extensive experience in laser papilloma removal using the latest medical equipment.When contacting a professional medical center, the patient will receive detailed advice, including the question of how much it costs to remove papillomas.