Papilloma is a benign tumor localized on the skin, less often on the mucous membrane.The formation of any papilloma occurs after the penetration of HPV - human papillomavirus - into the body.But you should know that sometimes several years pass from the moment of infection to the formation of growths on the skin.
Variety
HPV is a microorganism that has up to hundreds of imprints.Depending on the type of HPV seal that affects a person, different types of papillomas form on the skin.They differ in appearance, growth rate and location on the body.
Some papillomatous growths are detected in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, in the bladder, in women in the vagina and in men in the penile area.
Determining the type of papillomas is necessary to choose the most effective method of treatment and to assess the risk of degeneration of this tumor into malignancy.
The types
The human papillomavirus, after its activation in the body, leads not only to changes in the skin and mucous membranes, but also to a number of diseases dangerous to human health.Which way the infection will take depends, first of all, on the type of HPV present in the body.
Papillomas are caused by several types of viruses, and in some cases, their location and external characteristics may suggest the type of HPV.
Simple
Simple papillomas have several other names: vulgar or common.They appear in the body if several types of HPV develop in the body, and most often these are 26-29, 41, 63, 77.
Vulgar papillomas are the most likely formation on the skin from the group of benign ones.The process of papilloma formation begins with a slight burning and tingling sensation in a certain area of the body, then in this place you can notice the growth of a spherical tumor.
Over time, the surface of this uneven formation becomes rough and the color changes from flesh color to darker.The size of a simple papilloma starts from 1 mm and can reach a centimeter in diameter.
The most common location in adults is the fingers, the spaces between the fingers and the back of the palms.Papilloma vulgaris is often found in children, and the knee area is a common place for such formations, which is due to the fact that a small child often crawls and becomes infected through the smallest cracks in the skin.
Common papillomas can be single or multiple.In the latter case, daughter formations grow next to the main one - the mother.
Plantar
Papillomas on the soles of the feet can appear in people infected with HPV types 1, 2 and 4. These formations can be easily confused with calluses, but there are some signs that specifically indicate a papilloma of the sole, these are:
- The formation has all the distinctive external characteristics of papilloma vulgaris.
- Pain that increases when the papilloma is compressed by tight shoes.
- Lack of skin pattern.In calluses, the skin pattern is preserved and their surface is quite smooth.
Plantar papillomas can self-destruct;this is especially common in young children.Small blisters often form around the first bump, which over time turn into papillomas;this process is medically called mosaic papillomatosis.
Flat
Flat papillomas get their name from the fact that they protrude only a little, that is, a few millimeters, above the skin.Their shape is round, often elongated, oval, the places of growth are the face, the area near the lips, the upper part of the chest and the external genital organ.In girls and women, they are often diagnosed on the cervix.
Nearby flat papillomas can merge with each other and then they become very visible on the body.The color of these formations rarely differs from the rest of the skin tone or may be slightly darker.
Filiform
Papillomas that grow on a thin stalk and have an elongated, elongated shape are called in medicine as filamentous or acrochord.They are caused by HPV types 7 and 2.At the beginning of the growth of this formation, a small bump on the skin can be observed, which gradually stretches and hangs.
Acrochords grow mainly in people after the age of 40, regardless of their gender.Most often they are located on the upper eyelids, neck, under the arms and mammary glands, in the groin area.Thread-like formations are prone to injury, as the thin leg can easily be caught by clothing or careless movement.
With a tip
Pointed papillomas or condylomas are papillary formations, they are located both individually and in whole groups.As these papillomas grow, they merge with each other and during this period their surface visually resembles a cock's comb, the color of the formations varies from flesh color to bright pink.
Genital warts are only caused by sexually transmitted types of HPV.That is why these papillomas are found in the genitals, anus, perineum and groin.In men, warts often affect the penis or grow inside the urethra.In women, papillary formations include the vagina and cervix.
Condylomas acuminata grow very quickly, fusion and extensive invasion of healthy tissue is sometimes observed within a few days.This type of skin formation is prone to recurrence after treatment.Often, tests can detect concomitant infections - mycoplasmosis, chlamydia.
The types
HPV types are usually divided according to the risk of possible oncogenic lesions of the skin and internal organs.I emphasize:
- HPV with high cancer risk are types 16, 18, 45, 36.
- HPV with an average degree of cancer risk - 31, 35, 33, 58, 51, 52.
- HPV with a low degree of oncological risk (non-oncogenic) – 11, 44, 43, 42, 6.
Non-oncogenic types of the virus most often cause benign growths, that is, papillomas, on the skin.
Squamous
Squamous cell papilloma occurs as a result of proliferation of the squamous epithelium of the skin.It is most often formed in the elderly and is characterized by slow growth.In young people, it can form in areas of the body that are subject to constant trauma.
Squamous cell papillomas are both formations on a thin stalk and tumors that have a wide base and a rounded shape.At the beginning of its growth, the papilloma is mobile, its color is white, flesh-colored or dark brown, and its size can reach one and a half to two centimeters.
With continuous injuries, it can become inflamed, as a result of which the cells change and can degenerate into cancer, and a type of squamous cell cancer appears.
Inverted
Inverted papilloma (transitional cell) is detected relatively rarely and has its own characteristics of appearance and development, these include:
- Specific localization - this type of papillomas affects only the nose and its paranasal sinuses.The formation often grows in the maxillary sinus, frontal sinus and ethmoidal labyrinth.
- The lesion is unilateral, that is, the papilloma grows on one side of the nose, but it can be either single or multiple.
- Germination of papilloma in bony structures, which leads to the destruction of the walls of the orbit, palate, sinuses and bones of the skull.
- Recurrence of the disease 5-10 years after effective treatment.
Inverted papilloma leads to severe nasal congestion, the appearance of bloody discharge or nosebleeds.
If the tumor reaches a significant size, then the deformation of the facial skeleton and the shift to the affected side of the eyeball are determined visually.In 5% of cases, the long-term course of the disease in the absence of adequate therapy leads to the degeneration of the papilloma into a cancerous growth.
Localization
Single or multiple papillomas can be found on almost any part of the body.Growths on the face naturally cause more discomfort, but papillomas in closed areas of the body are often damaged by rough clothing.
Due to the peculiarities of the development of the virus and the structure of the skin, several places with the predominant localization of papillomas are distinguished, these are:
- The natural folds in the body are the armpits, the hip area, the lower abdomen if you are overweight.In women, the formation of flat and filamentous papillomas often occurs under the mammary glands.
- Hands, face, neck, back and stomach.On the face, flat and simple papillomas are often located near the mouth, near the eyes and on the eyelids.
- The genitals are where genital warts grow most often.
- Internal organs - bladder, stomach, intestines.
- The legs.
Viral growths can also be in the oral cavity, bladder, internal genital organs and in the ducts of the mammary glands.Papillomas are found in the esophagus, larynx and trachea.Increases in the throat area lead to a narrowing of the lumen of this channel, and then signs of respiratory failure appear.
Papillomas are considered benign formations, but under the influence of negative provocative factors they can degenerate into malignant tumors;this process lasts from several months to several years.
How to determine education according to symptoms?
The activation of different types of HPV can lead to the appearance of three different benign formations on the skin: warts, genital warts and papillomas.
These formations have significant differences and some similar characteristics.Comparing the appearance and growth characteristics of growths on the body will help you more likely to independently determine the type of benign growth.
wen
The appearance of a wart on the body can be determined by some external characteristics of this growth, these include:
- The size of the tumor is up to 1 cm in diameter.
- Clarity of external borders, density on palpation and surface heterogeneity.
- Irregular shape, which is closer to round.
- The color varies from light gray to almost black.
- Location characteristics.Warts appear in people mainly in open areas of the body, especially those that are subject to frequent injuries.These are hands and fingers, knees, elbows, scalp.
The virus that causes warts is almost always transmitted through personal contact, that is, through shaking hands or, less often, through the use of certain things - towels, gloves.Most often diagnosed:
- Vulgar warts - in 70% of cases.Simple warts are also detected in 20% of teenagers and children of primary school age.
- Plantar – detected in 30% of patients with warts.
- The flat type of warts is diagnosed in 4% of patients with this type of papillomas.
"butcher's warts" are classified in a separate group;they are detected in persons whose specialties are related to the processing of fish or meat.
Papilloma
Papillomas are skin growths that are soft to the touch, extend from the body in a thin stalk or have a flat base.
The virus that causes the growth of papillomas thrives in a moist and warm environment and therefore can be easily infected in baths, saunas and swimming pools.
At the beginning of their growth, papillomas cause burning and tingling sensations in the upper layers of the skin, then the formation of a small lump can be observed in this place.Gradually, this growth stretches and lengthens, its dimensions vary from 0.2 mm to 1-1.5 cm in diameter.
The color of papillomas is most often flesh-colored, gray or yellow.These tumors grow more often in the elderly, but often affect the skin of young people.Unlike warts, papillomas prefer to grow in closed areas of the body - under the armpit, mammary glands, in the groin area, on the inner thighs.
Papillomas usually begin to grow during long-term treatment of infectious or somatic diseases, as well as in people with a weakened immune system.A single formation leads to the formation of others, and then papillomatosis occurs.
Condylomas
Genital warts appear on the mucous membrane only under the influence of some types of HPV, which are transmitted in the only way - sexually.
Most often, these growths are located in the genital area and near the anus, less often in the oropharynx.Condylomas are papillary growths;individual elements can join each other, and then a tumor resembling a cock's comb appears.
It is easy to detect condylomas on the external genitalia if you pay attention to your health.It should be remembered that the mucous membrane is normally always smooth, and the appearance of roughness, tubercles and lumps in it is a reason to seek a diagnosis in a medical institution.
Routes of HPV transmission
HPV can be transmitted in several ways - sexually, from mother to fetus during birth, contact - through cracks and scratches in the skin.
Contact does not have to be direct;often the virus remains on personal items - towels, razors, washcloths, toothbrushes.It is possible to get infected with HPV in hairdressing salons, beauty salons and medical institutions - insufficient disinfection of instruments leads to infection with various types of pathogenic microorganisms.
The cause of the show
As already explained, the main cause of papillomas is the human papilloma virus.Infection with this microorganism occurs unnoticed by people and sometimes people are not fully aware that they are carriers of the infection.
According to the latest data, HPV of various types is present in the body of a third of the world's population, excluding infants and the elderly.
The activation of the virus and, accordingly, the growth of papillomas and the development of other diseases occurs in the following cases:
- With a significant weakening of the immune system.
- Under the influence of harmful factors, which include smoking, alcohol abuse and taking certain medications.
- Exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases, flu.
- With long-term use of oral contraceptives.
It has been noticed that most of the papillomas on the body occur in people who lead a promiscuous sex life.
Virus in gynecology
The presence of HPV in the body of women is considered extremely dangerous, especially for types 16 and 18.
Against the background of papillomavirus transmission, not only papillomas and cervical erosion occur, but also such a dangerous disease as cervical cancer.Recent studies suggest that in almost one hundred percent of cervical cancer cases in women, HPV is detected in their bodies.
The virus can be detected through several tests and examinations.Based on them, the doctor chooses the treatment and the woman must be constantly examined to detect in time the activation of the proliferation of the microorganism, which is the prevention of cancer.
How is it dangerous?
Many people think about the treatment and removal of papillomas only in relation to the appearance of a cosmetic defect on the skin.But such a change is dangerous only from the aesthetic point of view;you should be more careful about another consequence - the degeneration of the papilloma into a cancerous formation.
Frequent injuries of growing papillomas and their inflammation contribute to this complication.If a growth develops in the throat, vocal cords and trachea, respiratory function deteriorates, bleeding and suffocation are possible.
Papillomas in women not only disrupt the reproductive function, but can also be transmitted to the child.Usually the virus enters the baby directly in the mouth and then the papillomas grow in the oropharynx, hindering breathing and voice formation.
A man who has papilloma on his body and genitals can transmit the virus to his sexual partners.The risk of transmission of HPV through towels and other objects cannot be excluded, and then there is a risk of infection for children and relatives living nearby.
Diagnosis of the disease
The diagnosis is made based on the detection of papillomas in the body.To confirm, a PCR or Digene test is prescribed to determine HPV.During the removal of papillomas, a part of the growth is taken for cytological examination.
Treatment of human papillomavirus
Treatment for HPV should be mandatory.
Modern medications are not able to completely remove the virus from the body, but they are necessary to transfer the pathogen to a dormant state, in which there is no infection and no disease develops.
Papillomas on the body are removed using different methods;in addition, several groups of drugs are used to reduce viral activity.
How are they attracted?
Papilloma on the body is removed by conventional surgery, using a laser, electrocoagulation or radio wave therapy.The choice of method for cutting a papilloma depends on the location, size, number of formations and the presence of a stalk.
Conservative treatment
Drug treatment consists of a course of using the following groups of drugs:
- Antiviral agents that can stop the virus from replicating.
- Vitamin complexes.
- Agents for increasing immunity.
The course of treatment with human papilloma virus drugs can be repeated several times based on the results of the analysis.The goal of antiviral therapy is to completely suppress HPV activity.
Folk remedies
In addition to basic therapy, traditional medicine can be used.You can prevent further growth and, in some cases, the destruction of the papilloma by lubricating these growths with celandine juice, castor oil, dandelion juice, garlic and sour apples.
Naturally, such removal of papillomas will take a long time and is effective in most cases when combined with the simultaneous use of antiviral drugs.
Disease prevention
Prevention of the appearance of papillomas on the body consists of sufficient personal hygiene, timely treatment and healing of all small cuts on the body.
Be sure to follow the rule of using only your own towels, nail polish kits, combs and shoes.When having sex with untested partners, you should always use condoms and after an intimate act take a shower and thoroughly clean the genitals, because the virus must penetrate the epithelium.
Which doctor should I see if I have HPV?
If papillomas appear on the body, it is best to consult a dermatovenerologist.If growths are detected on the genitals, then women should consult a gynecologist, and men a urologist.