Papillomas on the human body are foci of pathological proliferation of cells of the epidermis and mucous membranes.
In most cases, papillomas are benign.However, such neoplasms can not only cause aesthetic problems, but can also act as a harbinger of dangerous diseases in the body, such as cancer.
“How to get rid of papillomas?”– a pressing question that worries many.Let's try to figure out why papillomas appear on the body and what dangers to human health can arise from skin growths that, at first glance, are harmless.
Why do papillomas appear?
The reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the body can be divided into main (main) and accompanying reasons, which act more as a trigger for the formation of visual manifestations of the disease.The most common and unalterable cause of skin papillomas is the patient's infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), which in medical practice is classified as a group of papilloma viruses.
Statistics show the highest prevalence of HPV in the population of our planet and say that 9 out of 10 people are carriers of one of the 100 strains of this virus known in official medicine.In addition, each of the isolated types of viral pathogens has different characteristics, localization zones and the likelihood of developing complications and unpleasant consequences.
Despite its distribution, the papilloma virus has relatively low resistance to aggressive environmental factors, which leads to the predominance of the contact route of its transmission from the carrier to a healthy person.The risk of infection is particularly high during prolonged contact with the bare skin of a sick person, for example during a massage.In medical practice, there are also cases of the spread of a viral pathogen in the household, which enters the patient's body through ordinary objects.However, this reason for the appearance of papillomas is significantly inferior to the contact mechanism of the spread of the virus.
When HPV gets on the skin, it primarily affects the basal layer of the epidermis and remains there for a long time in a latent state, which is characterized by an asymptomatic course of the disease.This condition is usually accompanied by an incubation period that lasts 1 to 6 months, but can also last years.
The following factors act as provoking factors for the appearance of papillomas on the skin:
temporary decrease in immunity or development of an immunodeficiency state (HIV, AIDS);the presence of microtrauma, cracks, scratches and open wounds on the surface of the patient's skin;hormonal imbalance, which may be associated with pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, etc.;promiscuous sexual intercourse, oral sex with a carrier of the papilloma virus;nervous-emotional tension, stress, physical or mental fatigue;bad habits, bad diet;Endometriosis.
Symptoms of papillomas
Penetration of the papilloma virus into human blood is not accompanied by a pronounced symptom complex, which makes it difficult to diagnose the disease.The patient does not even suspect that he is not only a carrier of a viral pathogen, 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 localized in almost any part of the human body.
Numerous photos on the Internet clearly show what a papilloma looks like on the body.Typically, a skin growth is represented by an oval or dome-shaped densification or papule that is attached to the tissue via a thin stalk or thickened base.The color characteristics of papillomas on the skin can vary greatly, from light pink to dirty brown.
Some HPV strains are characterized by multiple manifestations, which may be accompanied by the fusion of individual neoplasms.This creates an epidermal structure that resembles a lobed cauliflower.
Common types of papillomas
As mentioned above, medicine knows more than 100 types of viruses, which indicates the variety of manifestations of the disease.However, around 10 HPV types are considered the most common:
- Vulgar papillomas.They are oval seals that can have a horny yellowish surface.Vulgar papillomas on the hands of adult patients are the most common localization option, while children are more often characterized by the localization of growths on the knee;
- Plantar papillomas.The causative agents of papilloma on the leg 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 make walking difficult as they grow.In addition, such structures are often confused with calluses, which complicates the detection and timely treatment of papillomas;
- Flat papillomas.They are caused by HPV types 3 and 10 and appear as multiple flat clumps with a constant color and a smooth surface.
- Filiform papillomas.They are most typical of the older age group of patients, those over 50 years old.Yellowish bumps or growths are localized on the eyelids, groin, armpits, and neck.If a filamentous neoplasm is exposed to trauma or constant friction with clothing, treatment of inflamed papilloma should be carried out as quickly as possible;
- Lewandowski-Lutz papillomas.This type of skin condition is often referred to as epidermodysplasia verruciformis and manifests itself in the form of multiple macular warts on the arms and legs with different color characteristics.
- Genital warts.The most dangerous type of symptomatic manifestation of the human papillomavirus.The growths are pink or gray, pointed growths located on the external and internal genital organs, as well as in the pubic area and on the tongue;
- Juvenile papillomas.Caused by HPV types 6 and 11. They affect the larynx area, complicating the breathing process and making it difficult for the patient to speak normally.Infection usually occurs during childbirth by passing the virus from the mother's vagina to the child.
- Local epithelial hyperplasia.This manifestation is a consequence of infection with HPV types 13 and 32, which is manifested by the formation of multiple papillary, merging-prone rashes on the tongue and the red border of the lips.
What a papilloma is 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 neoplasms, since without timely treatment they can spread to healthy tissue, which is called autoinoculation, and can cause multiple warts.However, this is also not the decisive factor why papillomas on the body are dangerous.This also contains the answer to the pressing question of many patients about how a birthmark differs from a papilloma.A birthmark, as a simple accumulation of pigments, does not pose a threat to human health.
The main risks associated with the presence of papillomas on the body include the possibility of melanization of the neoplasm, which consists in malignant degeneration of the tumor.As a result, the patient may experience an oncological process or be diagnosed with a precancerous condition.The likelihood of such an outcome depends on the type of HPV and the localization area of the papillomas.For example, genital warts on the surface of the cervix cause cancer of this organ in 50% of cases.
Another danger is the high risk of mechanical damage to the papilloma, which can lead to severe bleeding, infection of the wound and the formation of scars or scars on the skin.Based on this, the question of whether it is necessary to remove papillomas on the body should be answered only positively.
How to remove papillomas on the body?
Removal of papillomas should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist after carrying out all the necessary diagnostic procedures, which usually include PCR diagnostics, microscopic examination of epithelial scrapings and, if necessary, histological examination of papilloma tissue.In this case, there are several ways to get rid of papillomas on the body:
- Cryodestruction– removal of papillomas with liquid nitrogen;
- Electrocoagulation– destruction of a neoplasm under the influence of an electrical impulse;
- Surgical excision– the most radical and traumatic method of removing papillomas;
- Laser removal of papillomas– Destruction of growth by a directed laser beam.
The last option is the most atraumatic, safe and painless way to remove papillomas from the body.Removal of papillomas with a laser is very popular because after the procedure there are no traces, scars and scars, and laser destruction does not require preparation and rehabilitation.
Laser removal of papillomas can be performed in just a few minutes.Another advantage of manipulation is the ability of the laser beam to activate the regenerative ability of the epidermis, which ensures rapid healing of the treatment site, which usually lasts no more than two weeks.
Despite the need for mechanical removal of skin defects, answering the question of how to cure papilloma once and for all, one cannot but mention the need to organize antiviral therapy and comprehensively strengthen the patient's immunity.
Which doctor should I contact if I have papillomas and where can I remove papillomas on the body?
If you are worried about the question of which doctor treats papillomas, you should first contact specialists who will conduct an initial examination and make a diagnosis.Specialists of modern clinics have extensive experience in removing papillomas using lasers and the most modern medical equipment.By contacting a professional medical center, the patient receives detailed advice, including on the question of how much the removal of a papilloma costs.