What is papilloma - what does it look like and how to treat it

Papillomatosis of the genitals increases the risk of infection for both partners and complicates intimate life, and during childbirth it is often transmitted from woman to child.

papillomas on the neck

Causes

The main reason for the formation of growths is HPV, which enters the body in various ways. It enters the cells of the squamous epithelium and remains there for a long time without making itself known. The patient may not be aware of such an infection until the prerequisites for its multiplication and the appearance of neoplasms are met. With a decrease in immunity, growths often appear on the body.

Experts identify factors that increase the risk of growth:

  • frequent stress;
  • nervous, physical overwork;
  • avitaminosis;
  • decreased immunity;
  • old age of the patient;
  • too many sexual partners;
  • smoking, alcohol abuse;
  • take oral contraceptives for a long time.

The causes of papillomas can be hidden in endocrine disorders, pathologies of the digestive system and excess weight. The incubation period lasts about a year and if the immune system is functioning well, the infection may not manifest itself. HPV is often transmitted through contact with infected objects in everyday life, through the use of common washcloths, razors and towels. Infection can occur during sex or from a woman to a child during childbirth.

Views

Dermatologists distinguish several types of papillomas:

  1. Simple. The neoplasm resembles a cauliflower or rooster's crest, the surface of which resembles small papillae.
  2. Plantar. These accumulations cause slight discomfort.
  3. Apartment. The site of localization of these neoplasms is the epithelium of the cervix. Flat papillomas look like flat, itchy nodules.
  4. Filamentous. Such tumors are often found in patients over 50 years old, look like small nodules and do not cause the development of pronounced symptoms.
  5. Sharp. They look like papillary formations, which are localized both as separate elements and merge into whole groups. In each case, genital warts are caused by certain types of viruses transmitted during sex. The place of formation of genital warts is the intimate area, groin, anus, perineum.

Angiopapilloma is an internal growth that forms from connective tissue. It attaches to the vascular walls and is capable of causing cancer to develop.

Neoplasms in visible areas of the body and in the intimate area often cause psychological discomfort and problems with sexual activity. The formation of papillomas on the uterus can lead to cancer.

Types

There are several types of HPV, due to the possible occurrence of cancerous lesions of the skin and internal organs.

scaly

The appearance of papilloma is due to the rapid growth of the squamous epithelium of the epidermis. In young people, this type of neoplasm can form in areas of the body that are too often injured.

Squamous cell papillomas are round shaped tumors with a wide base and neoplasms with a thin stalk. At the beginning of their development, they are immobile, colored in a light or brown tone. Constant trauma of such formations can provoke their inflammation, cell mutation begins and their transformation into cancerous. Without effective treatment, the risk of developing cancer is high.

inverted

Quite rarely, an inverted papilloma appears on the body. The area of onset is the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The growth of neoplasms in the frontal and maxillary sinuses is possible.

A feature of the manifestation of the papillomavirus is a one-sided lesion. Germination of reverse growth in bone is possible, which ends with damage to the palate, bones of the skull, nasal sinuses and walls of the orbit.

The large inverted papilloma causes nasal congestion, bleeding, and a runny nose. When a tumor grows to a large size, the facial skeleton is deformed and displaced to the side of the affected organ of vision.

Location

Skin papillomas can form in various areas of the body. The discomfort is caused by growths on the face, and when placed on the body, they are constantly injured when they come in contact with clothing.

Experts identify several places where papillomas occur:

  1. Groin area, armpits and lower abdomen with obesity. In the fairer sex, various types of neoplasms can be located under the breasts.
  2. The area of the neck, face, abdomen, back. On the face, the area of papillomas mainly becomes the area of the mouth, eyes, eyelids.
  3. The genitals. This area is often the site of genital warts.
  4. Internal organs. Neoplasms appear on the tissues of the intestines, stomach and bladder.
  5. Feet. Often times, warts on the spine appear in this part of the body.

The place of appearance of viral neoplasms can be the oral mucosa, bladder, mammary glands, internal genitals.

Symptoms of education

When HPV is activated, neoplasms of various types appear on the skin. Their signs are similar, but there are differences.

wart on human skin

Warts

You can determine the formation of warts on the skin based on certain symptoms:

  • the size of the tumor does not exceed 1 cm;
  • the wart has clear external borders, an inhomogeneous area and density are felt on palpation;
  • the color of the accumulation can range from light gray to black;
  • the neoplasm has an irregular rounded shape.

The growth localization site is mostly open areas of the body, especially those that are constantly injured by something. Warts often appear on the hands, fingers, knees, and head in the area of hair growth.

Papillomas

You can independently diagnose growth if you know what the body of a papilloma looks like. These are skin growths with a rather thin stalk or a flat base. Most of the time, infection with the virus occurs in public places with high humidity. It is in such an environment that he feels ideal and begins to multiply rapidly.

papillomas on human skin

Patients should know what papillomas look like on the body. The first sign of a tumor is a slight burning sensation, a slight tingling sensation in the epidermis. After some time, neoplasms appear in this area. Gradually, they stretch and lengthen, their size increases to 1-1, 5 cm.

Often the papilloma on the skin is formed in elderly patients and begins to actively increase in size. The area where the growths are located is the chest, groin, and underarm area. They are flesh colored or slightly yellowish. The presence of the virus in the female body greatly increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.

Warts

genital warts

Genital warts are formed under the influence of certain types of HPV, which enter the bloodstream exclusively through sexual intercourse. Usually, the area of the anus and external genitalia, rarely the oropharynx, becomes the center of localization of growths.

Warts are papillary growths that form on various parts of the body. The individual elements often connect to each other and form a tumor that resembles a rooster's crest in appearance.

Incubation period

The papilloma virus has a long incubation period which can last for many years. This means that it is quite difficult to determine when the infectious agent entered the body. The activity of the virus can increase under the influence of various factors that disrupt the functioning of the immune system.

Once in the body, the virus is introduced into the nuclei of cells in the dermis and begins to multiply there rapidly. With a decrease in the body's defenses, small papillae begin to appear on the surface of the skin, which include several cells. They grow slowly and can reach 10 cm.

Diagnostic

Diagnosis of papilloma begins with an examination of the patient by an immunologist or dermatologist. The patient's history and symptoms are reviewed. Laboratory and instrumental studies help to identify the cause of the appearance of neoplasms on the body.

blood test to diagnose human papillomavirus

The standard diagnostic program includes:

  • general and biochemical blood test;
  • PCR test;
  • biopsy of the material.

Based on the results of the research, effective and safe therapeutic methods are selected.

Processing

It is recommended to start treating papillomas immediately after detection. The choice of method depends on the area of localization of neoplasms, the reasons for their appearance, the form of HPV. How to quickly cure papilloma can only be determined by a specialist.

Cryocoagulation

With this method of therapy, neoplasms are removed with liquid nitrogen, which causes the water in the cells to freeze and die. Cryodestruction is only done if the tumor is benign and does not contain cancer cells.

cryocoagulation as a method of removing papilloma

The procedure is considered painless, but if the skin is too sensitive, they resort to the introduction of novocaine. After the treatment of the skin with liquid nitrogen, they turn white and a small bubble is formed, inside of which a transparent or pink liquid accumulates. When removing growths by freezing, unpleasant sensations in the form of a burning sensation may appear, but they gradually disappear. After cryodestruction, it is recommended to treat the epidermis with a solution of potassium permanganate or boric alcohol several times a day.

After a few days, the bladder bursts and a scab forms, which protects the wound from infection. Over time, it goes away and healthy skin remains underneath.

Surgical method

The operation to remove papilloma on the skin is considered the most radical method of removal, but it is not used so often. The indication for surgery is large papillomas.

surgical removal of the papilloma

During the operation, the doctor excises a small area of healthy tissue, which prevents the growth from re-forming. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and lasts no more than 10 to 15 minutes. The patient does not feel pain and after the manipulation is completed, a suture is applied. The disadvantage of this method is considered to be a long period of healing, the formation of scars, scars on the body.

Laser removal

Treatment of papilloma is decided by the doctor after examination of the patient. The most modern method of removing growths is considered laser treatment, before which an analysis is performed to exclude cancer cells. The area of the body where the papilloma is located is anesthetized with lidocaine. Then they act on it with laser beams and remove it completely. Thus treated, the water evaporates in the damaged cells, they dry out and form a scab.

After some time, the skin turns red, swells, but this reaction takes place after 2-3 days. The scab falls off on its own after 5-7 days and a delicate pink skin appears instead.

Chemical attack

An effective means of combating pathology is considered a chemical effect on papillomas. Removal of genital warts is carried out with special preparations containing organic acids.

Using an applicator, they are applied to the surface of the formation and they are cauterized. Under the influence of chemicals, growth cells are destroyed and disappear.

Treatment with medication

Medical treatment for papilloma includes:

  1. Pills. Infection with a virus occurs due to a decrease in immunity. Therefore, the action of drugs is aimed at increasing the body's defenses. The patient is prescribed to take vitamins, immunomodulators, antiviral agents.
  2. Preparations for local treatment. A good effect is the use of creams and ointments with antiviral action. For small tumors on the penis, gels and creams are selected to stimulate the production of interferon. To remove growths, the doctor prescribes solutions with cauterizing properties.

Only a doctor can determine whether to remove papillomas from various parts of the body.

Immunomodulators

How to treat multiple papillomas on the body depends on their size and area of localization. An integrated approach consists of treatment with immunomodulators whose action activates the body's natural defenses.

There are several types of HPV, so such drugs should be selected by a specialist after immunological studies. With papillomas in women, it is recommended to pay special attention to natural immunomodulators that help restore immunity at the DNA level.

Self-suppression

Treating large papillomas at home can make a person's condition worse and cause the virus to spread throughout the body. The possibility of using funds for self-removal of growths is determined by a dermatologist. This method of treatment is possible only in the absence of an oncogenic factor and suspicion of malignant growth.

Self-treatment of benign neoplasms includes the use of topical ointments, drugs prescribed by a doctor.

Traditional methods of treatment

In addition to the treatment regimen chosen by the doctor, it is allowed to use alternative methods of treatment. It is possible to stop the intensive growth of papillomas and cause their destruction when smeared with celandine, dandelion or sour apple juice.

lemon and garlic to remove papilloma

You can lubricate the neoplasm with protein from a fresh egg every day and wait for it to dry. After a while, the dry papilloma will fall off on its own. At the pharmacy, you can buy a special adhesive tape, which is stuck for a long time, then the neoplasm is cleaned.

To eliminate the defect, it is recommended to cut a clove of garlic and rub the shoot on the skin for several days in a row.

Treatment with home and folk remedies is a long process. For greater effectiveness, it is recommended to combine it with the intake of drugs with an antiviral effect.

Prophylaxis

Prevention of human papillomavirus is possible by maintaining personal hygiene, prompt treatment of any wounds on the epidermis and their healing. To prevent infection, you should use personal hygiene products.

Prevention of papillomas involves the rejection of casual sex, adherence to a healthy lifestyle, and increased immunity. The virus is able to become a provoking factor in the formation of papillomas on the cervix and the development of cancers. Women should regularly visit a mammologist with a gynecologist, be sure to adhere to good nutrition. What to do if a papilloma is detected, it is recommended to ask your doctor, and not to self-medicate.