Papillomas and condylomas are small growths on the skin that are viral in nature. You must be able to distinguish them in order to detect potentially dangerous formations in time and take the necessary measures. The main thing that distinguishes papilloma from condyloma is the type of virus-pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than a hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through household contact or through unprotected sex. The baby may be infected from the mother through the birth canal.
The formation of growths indicates the rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. This occurs under the influence of a virus, the activation of which in most cases is associated with a decrease in immune defenses. Depending on the strain, papillomas or warts appear on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign tumor that does not cause discomfort, except for cosmetic reasons. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- smooth homogeneous structure;
- the presence of a leg;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are localized on any part of the body, except the mucous membranes of the genitals. Typically, the color of the growth varies from natural skin tone to pinkish-red undertones, however, highly pigmented papillomas are also not a pathology. The growth of hair on the body of a papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not interfere with the patient and are not accidentally injured in everyday life. The formation of shoots of this type is due to the action of 2, 7 and 28 viral strains. You can get infected with these types of HPV in everyday life and during sex.
Features of genital warts
Warts are of two types - sharp and wide growths. The first type appears with HPV infection, and large growths are one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The sites of localization of genital warts are the mucous membranes, mainly of the urogenital area, as well as the skin folds subjected to friction against clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stalk, the growths are supplied by small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, condylomas are often inflamed, ulceration of the growing body is possible.
Genital warts are caused by 16, 18, 54 strains of the virus. These types of HPV are potentially dangerous, especially for women. There is a direct relationship between these types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. The infection occurs during sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easy to notice in the photo - papillomas are homogeneous, while condylomas have a finely papillary structure.
- The difference between papilloma and warts is the color of the growth. Papillomas can be very pigmented, the color of warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membranes.
- HPV, which causes papillomas to develop, is spread through household contact, with the help of personal hygiene products, and even by shaking hands (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts are only transmitted sexually.
- Warts become inflamed. Papillomas can grow larger, acquire signs of inflammation and hurt, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- The shape of papillomas is primarily a round or oval "head" located on a soft stalk. Condylomas have irregular contours, can be arranged in clusters. For genital warts, the narrowing of the rod at the tip is characteristic, which helps distinguish them from papillomas.
- The appearance of growths of different types is due to different strains of the virus.
It is important to remember the main difference between papilloma and warts - growths on the genitals and mucous membranes must be removed.
Why are growths dangerous?
Papillomas and condylomas are classically considered to be safe neoplasms on the skin, but the risk of degeneration of benign cells into malignant cells is higher in the second case.
Condylomas are skin manifestations of the action of oncogenic types of the virus. Years of research have identified a relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Prompt diagnosis with additional removal of genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer in women.
The growths can be located not only on the skin and external genitals, but also in the vagina and on the cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, the condyloma receives sufficient nutrition and can grow rapidly. In gynecology, there are cases when the condylomas located on the wall of the vagina have reached a diameter of 10 cm.
Indications for withdrawal
Warts should be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is mainly due to the risk of infection of the sexual partner.
Whether or not to remove papillomas located on the skin is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of degeneration of benign papillomas into an oncological neoplasm increases when the growth body is damaged. It can be caused by rubbing against clothing, accidental damage from fingernails or a washcloth during hygiene procedures.
You should see a dermatologist if:
- the papilloma has significantly increased in size;
- when in a hurry, discomfort is felt;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is noted;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
Removing the build-up is a matter of five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that a timely diagnosis will allow early detection of the onset of cell degeneration and stop the development of oncology.
How are accumulations removed?
Any skin growth should be removed by a professional. Self-cauterization of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removal of genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.
Before the procedure, it is necessary to conduct a series of examinations. First, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the appearance of neoplasms.
With several condylomas, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory treatment. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and tune the immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, ointments with an immunostimulant in the composition (for example, drugs based on interferon) help. These drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allows you to successfully combat the growths on the walls of the vagina.
Methods for removing accumulations:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser engraving;
- removal with a radio knife;
- excision with a scalpel.
When genital warts are removed, the tissues obtained as a result of the procedure are sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgical excision or laser ablation is indicated.
Electrocoagulation is a cauterization of neoplasms. The method worked well to remove the small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms on the skin, but not on the mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth, which causes cell necrosis, as a result, the papilloma simply disappears.
Eliminating radio waves or the radio knife is an effective and almost painless method of removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, the cells of the neoplasm are destroyed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser exhaustion of genital warts is indicated in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantages of the method are the cauterization of the vessels and capillaries that feed the formation. Due to the exposure, no traces remain on the skin, the risk of bleeding is excluded. Complete restoration of the epidermis after removal occurs within 5-7 days.
To remove genital warts, folk remedies are not used due to the high risk of damage to the mucous membranes by the aggressive components of the composition. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
To understand how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help. It is recommended to consult your doctor if formations appear on the genitals, and not to try to remove them on your own.