When nipple-shaped growths appear on the trunk, limbs, or face, it is always an unpleasant surprise to a person. These are benign formations on the skin, which can be multiple or unique. Papillomas on the body, unfortunately, are a very common disease that develops due to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), but its treatment in modern conditions is not a problem.
What are papillomas on the body
HPV is a benign tumor that develops from the tissue of the squamous epithelium. It acts like a drop or papilla on the skin, mucous membranes, and can affect a person's internal organs. There are over 30 types and subspecies of HPV that can easily enter the human body. Depending on the type of pathogen, different groups of papillomas form on the body. They differ in their growth rate, appearance, and location.
The papillomavirus can be detected anywhere on the body:
- natural folds: groin, armpits, mammary glands, lower abdomen;
- face: eyelids, near the eyes, near the mouth;
- torso: back, abdomen, neck, hands, feet;
- genitals: vagina, penile region;
- internal organs: intestines, stomach, bladder, esophagus, larynx, trachea.
What does a papilloma look like
HPV may be different on the outside. Usually, these are oval growths on the body or rounded processes on the skin that resemble a papilla.
They can be small (1-5mm), medium (1cm), large (1-3cm), and giant (over 3cm). The texture of the papules is relatively loose and soft. Intersections of blood vessels are often visible on the surface.
The color is mainly flesh and all varieties of brown. There are cases when the papillomas had a shade of blue, purple, and even black and charcoal.
Why papillomas appear
These growths on the body are viral in nature. The infection is spread through contact with a carrier from a healthy person. 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 genital area, bleeding, and other foreign discharge from the vagina. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by syphilis, chlamydia, herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Men are not afraid of certain types of viruses that are dangerous for women (16, 18). However, the stronger sex is the carrier of infections. As for papillomas on the genitals, the frenulum and the glans penis or in the urethra, these are benign painless neoplasms of type 6 and 11 that must be removed. Penile cancer is very rare.
Methods of infection
The infection is particularly active in gyms, swimming pools, saunas, baths. Other reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the body are sexual intercourse, childbirth (from mother to child).
Here are other ways to get infected with the human papillomavirus:
- during a kiss, because the virus is contained in the saliva;
- when using personal items of infected persons;
- in case of insufficient processing of medical instruments.
Types and types
The number of types of neoplasms on the body is estimated at dozens, so doctors divided them into 5 groups, combining them by color, symptoms and risk of malignant degeneration of skin cells:
- Simple papillomas.They are also called common warts. Has the widest prevalence. The first sign of HPV is a small growth on the skin. In the process of development, it turns into a dark keratinized tubercle. It is localized both in groups and individually. The preferred places of localization are the hands, the lower part of the face.
- Flat papillomas.A characteristic is a grouped accumulation of growths. Flat papillomas do not have a bulge, but are painted in a dark color. The main place of distribution is the upper body, the genital area.
- Genital warts.The location is the mucous membranes of the body and genitals. These strains present a risk of oncogenicity. Sexual intercourse is the main cause of genital warts.
- Filiform papillomas.In the scientific world, they have been given the name of "tags". A feature of this species is the leg that supports the mole. Skin tags are senile growths because they mostly appear on the bodies of middle-aged and elderly people.
- Internal papillomas.This subgroup includes all neoplasms that develop on internal organs. It is impossible to independently recognize genital warts of this group; this requires special diagnostics. The presence of illness can give symptoms.
Danger of virus
Infection with human papillomavirus does not usually pose a major health risk. However, some species are able to degenerate into a malignant tumor. Non-oncogenic papillomas can also create many inconveniences if they start to develop, for example on the back, in the mouth or in the groin area. They are often injured, after which ulcers and wounds remain on the body, open to infections. Condylomas of the bladder often cause an inflammatory process, and the growths in the uterine cavity sometimes lead to female infertility.
Diagnostics
If you notice a papilloma on your body, you should see a dermatologist. After the initial examination, the doctor will send the patient for a cytological examination and a blood test (tumor markers, HPV, DNA). This is necessary to determine the pathological processes and to determine the type of viral infection in relation to the risk of oncogenes. If a tumor of the cervix appears, a colposcopy is necessary.
How to get rid of papillomas on the body
There are many methods of treating growths. It is better to stop the growth of papillomas on the body during complex therapy. It is impossible to completely expel the human papillomavirus from the body, but it is possible to reduce its activity for a long time by increasing immunity. Overgrowth of papules is treated with surgical and therapeutic methods. Folk recipes also help during HPV infection.
How to get rid of HPV with medication
When HPV first appears, doctors prescribe drugs to reduce the chances of infecting others. Various drugs are used to fight viral infections in gynecology and dermatology.
Laser removal
People often resort to surgical removal of growths if they appear unsightly or cause discomfort, for example, if they are in intimate places, in the neck area or in the natural folds of the skin. Laser papilloma removal takes several minutes. Its essence lies in the use of a device that burns a neoplasm. There is no contact with the skin, which ensures high safety of the procedure. The advantages of the technique include the absence of blood loss, the absence of pain, and rapid recovery.
Cons of laser treatment:
- high cost;
- unable to study growth from a distance.
Liquid nitrogen
Removing neoplasms with liquid nitrogen (cryodestruction) is no less effective. Although the procedure is simple, it requires some preparation: thoroughly washing the areas of the skin that will be frozen, shaving off the hairs, if any. To apply nitrogen, the specialist uses a metal cotton swab, which is dipped into a container with a clear liquid. After that, contact with the papilloma occurs within 1-5 seconds. Recovery takes place within 2-3 days. The advantages of the procedure are the simplicity and speed of the procedure, high efficiency.
Disadvantages of the method:
- the probability of damage to surrounding tissue;
- pain during conduction;
- failure to remove large growths,
Treatment of papillomas by the radio wave method
The essence of the technique is to influence the accumulation of high frequency radio waves, which are completely harmless to health. To remove the papilloma, the doctor fixes the bundle for several seconds at the problematic point. After the procedure, drug therapy is prescribed. The advantage of the radio wave method is its versatility - different types of warts, moles, papillomas on any part of the skin easily disappear. It can be used even for difficult areas such as the eye area. There are no scars after the procedure.
Disadvantages of the method:
- high cost;
- is not effective at removing large growths.
Electrocoagulation
A medical procedure in which benign growths are removed with a precisely coordinated electric current. Electrocoagulation is carried out with a device equipped with a loop and an electrode, which are heated to high temperatures. The manipulation is done under local anesthesia. For children, removal is performed under general anesthesia. After burning the tumor, the skin is treated with an antiseptic. The procedure takes 5 to 10 minutes.
The advantages of the method include the safety and effectiveness in eliminating skin disease, preventing the risk of infection and the possibility of histology.
Disadvantages of electrocautery:
- risk of residual scarring;
- relative pain;
- long payback period (up to 10 days);
- at the site of the withdrawal, relapses are possible.
How to remove moles and papillomas with folk remedies
According to the opinions of patients with HPV, the use of alternative recipes after drug treatment and / or any method of elimination allows the virus to be eliminated more quickly.
At home, when external manifestations of papillomas occur, the following methods are effective:
- Célandine.It is necessary to lubricate the skin with a neoplasm with fresh plant sap several times a day.
- Banana.To speed up the treatment, it is necessary to apply the fruit pulp to the neoplasms. Bananas are particularly effective for small plantar warts.
Prevention
The following preventive measures are indicated to prevent relapses:
- to do periodic HPV exams;
- avoid casual sexual contact;
- maintain immunity: eat well, get angry;
- control the growth and shape change of untreated papillomas;
- vaccinate with 2% serum (three times in six months).