It is always an unpleasant surprise for a person to see nipple-like growths on his body, limbs or face. These are benign formations that can be numerous or single on the skin. Papillomas in the body are, unfortunately, a very common disease that develops due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, but treatment is not a problem in modern conditions.
What are papillomas in the body
Papillomavirus is a benign tumor that grows from squamous epithelial tissue. It acts as a drop or papilla on the skin and mucous membranes and can affect a person's internal organs. There are more than 30 types and subtypes of HPV that can easily enter the human body. Depending on the type of pathogen, different groups of papillomas are formed in the body. They differ in growth rate, appearance and location.
Papillomavirus can be found anywhere on the body:
- natural folds: groin, armpits, mammary glands, lower abdomen;
- face: eyelids, near eyes, near mouth;
- trunk: back, abdomen, neck, hands, feet;
- genitals: vagina, penis area;
- Internal organs: intestine, stomach, bladder, esophagus, larynx, trachea.
What does a papilloma look like
HPV may look different from the outside. As a rule, these are oval growths on the body or round processes on the skin resembling papillae.
They can be small (1-5 mm), medium (1 cm), large (1-3 cm) and huge (more than 3 cm). The tissue of the papules is relatively loose and soft. Interspersed blood vessels often appear on the surface.
The color is mostly fleshy and brown. There are cases when papillomas have a blue, purple and even black-charcoal shade.
Why do papillomas appear
These growths in the body are viral. The infection comes in contact with the carrier of a healthy person. Both men and women are equally susceptible to infection, but are affected by the virus in different ways. The weaker sex may experience burning and itching in the genitals, bleeding, and other discharge from the vagina. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by syphilis, chlamydia, herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Men are not afraid of some types of viruses that are dangerous for women (16, 18). However, the stronger sex is a carrier of the infection. As for papillomas in the genitals, frenulum, and glans penis or urethra, these are painless benign neoplasms of types 6 and 11 that need to be removed. Penile cancer is very rare.
Methods of Infection
The infection is especially active in gyms, swimming pools, saunas and baths. Other causes of papillomas in the body are sexual intercourse, childbirth (from birth to child).
Here are some other ways to get human papillomavirus:
- when kissing because the virus is in the saliva;
- when using the personal belongings of an infected person;
- If medical devices are sufficiently developed.
Types and Species
The number of types of neoplasms in the body is calculated in tens, so doctors divided them into 5 groups, combining them with color, symptoms and the risk of malignant degeneration of skin cells:
- Simple papillomas.These are also called vulgar warts. The most common. The first sign of HPV is a small growth on the skin. During development, it becomes a dark keratinized tubercle. Localized both as a group and individually. Favorite localizations are the hands, the lower part of the face.
- Straight papillomas.A characteristic feature is the accumulation of a group of growths. Flat papillomas do not have a bulge, but are dark in color. The main distribution is the upper part of the body, the genital area.
- Genital warts.The earth is the mucous membrane of the body and genitals. These strains are at risk of oncogenicity. The main cause of genital warts is sexual intercourse.
- Filiform papillomas.In the scientific world, they are called "chords". A characteristic feature of this species is the foot that supports the jacket. Acrocords are old growths because they are mainly seen in the body of middle-aged and older people.
- Internal papillomas.This subgroup includes all neoplasms that develop in the internal organs. It is not possible to independently recognize genital warts in this group, which requires special diagnosis. The presence of a disease can cause symptoms.
Virus Threat
Human papillomavirus infection is generally not harmful to health. However, some species can turn into a malignant tumor. Non-oncogenic papillomas, such as those that begin to grow in the back, mouth or groin area, can cause a lot of discomfort. They are often injured, leaving ulcers and wounds on the body that are open to infections. Condylomata in the bladder often provoke an inflammatory process, and growths in the uterine cavity sometimes lead to female infertility.
Diagnostics
If you see a papilloma on your body, you should consult a dermatologist. After the initial examination, the doctor sends the patient for cytological examination and blood test (tumor markers, HPV, DNA). This is necessary to identify pathological processes and to determine the type of viral infection associated with oncogenic risk. If a tumor develops in the cervix, colposcopy is required.
How to get rid of papilloma in the body
There are many methods to treat growths. It is better to stop the growth of papillomas in the body during complex therapy. It is not possible to completely eliminate human papillomavirus from the body, but it is possible to reduce its long-term activity by increasing immunity. The proliferation of papules is treated with surgical and therapeutic methods. Folk recipes also help with HPV infection.
How to get rid of HPV with medication
When HPV first appears, doctors prescribe medication to reduce the risk of infecting others. In gynecology and dermatology, various drugs are used to fight viral infections.
Laser extraction
Often people seek surgical removal of growths if they do not look aesthetically pleasing or cause discomfort, for example, in the vicinity, in the neck area or in the natural folds of the skin. Laser removal of papillomas takes a few minutes. Its essence lies in the use of a device that burns a neoplasm. No skin contact, which ensures high safety of the procedure. The advantages of the technique include no blood loss, painlessness and quick recovery.
Disadvantages of laser treatment:
- high price;
- It is impossible to learn a distant growth.
Liquid nitrogen
Extraction of neoplasms with liquid nitrogen (cryodestruction) is no less effective. Although the procedure is simple, preparation is required: wash the frozen areas of the skin thoroughly, and shave if any. To apply nitrogen, the specialist uses a cotton swab with a metal dipped in a bowl with a clean liquid. After that, contact with the papilloma occurs within 1-5 seconds. Recovery occurs within 2-3 days. The advantages of the procedure are simplicity and speed, high efficiency.
Disadvantages of the method:
- probability of damage to surrounding tissues;
- pain during conduction;
- not deleting large growths,
Treatment of papillomas by radio wave method
The essence of the technique is to influence the generation of high-frequency radio waves, which are completely safe for health. To remove the papilloma, the doctor fixes the beam at the problem point for a few seconds. After the procedure, drug treatment is prescribed. The advantage of the radio wave method is multifaceted - different types of warts, moles, papillomas on any part of the skin easily disappear. It can be used even in difficult areas such as the eye area. There is no trace after the procedure.
Disadvantages of the method:
- high price;
- is not effective for eliminating large growths.
Electrocoagulation
A therapeutic procedure in which significant growths are removed with a precisely coordinated electric current. Electrocoagulation is performed with a device equipped with a loop and electrode heated to high temperatures. The manipulation is performed under local anesthesia. Removal for children is performed under general anesthesia. After burning the tumor, the skin is treated with antiseptic. The procedure takes 5-10 minutes.
The advantages of the method include safety and effectiveness in eliminating skin diseases, prevention of infection and histological probability.
Disadvantages of electrochemistry:
- residual scarring risk;
- relative pain;
- long recovery period (up to 10 days);
- At the site of removal, relapse is possible.
How to get rid of moles and papillomas with folk remedies
Studies of patients with HPV have shown that the use of alternative prescriptions and / or any cleansing method after drug treatment helps to remove the virus faster.
At home, in the case of external manifestations of papillomas, the following methods are effective:
- Celandine.The skin should be lubricated with a neoplasm of freshly squeezed vegetable juice several times a day.
- Banana.To accelerate therapy, fruit pulp should be applied to neoplasms. Bananas are especially effective for small plantar warts.
Prevention
The following preventive measures are taken to prevent recurrence:
- Periodic testing for HPV;
- Avoid casual sex;
- to maintain immunity: proper eating, temperament;
- manage the growth and deformity of untreated papillomas;
- Vaccinate with 2% serum (three times in six months).