If such a growth appears on the skin of a person, then the question arises as to what kind of changes have occurred in the body and are not they dangerous? Read on for some useful information on the characteristics of the different types of papillomas. This information will help you recognize the presence of such formations in order to deal with them in a timely manner if necessary.
Varieties of papillomas
Why do these processes often appear on the skin with age? These changes in the skin are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV for short. After infection with such a pathogen, the patient develops a disease of papillomatosis, during which warts of various forms appear on the skin or mucous membranes. These growths are benign, but some types of papillomas have a high risk of being reborn as a malignant tumor. For this reason, you should definitely see a doctor if you notice such changes on your skin!
Medicine knows more than 40 varieties of papillomavirus, which cause various forms of the disease in humans. The type of virus that has entered the body depends on the appearance of the papilloma, since the infection is manifested externally by different types of formations on the integument of the body. According to the general classification, the following types of growth are distinguished.
- Simple, also called vulgar - keratinized growths of a dark color.
- Plantar - affects the soles of the feet.
- Acrocords are threadlike formations with the body resting on one leg.
- Flat formations or common warts - often occur in adolescents on the hands, fingers and face.
- Pointed - localized on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genitals or anus.
- Squamous cells - made up of squamous epithelium, which has grown due to the effects of the virus, and stroma (the base of connective tissue and blood vessels).
- Basal cell - develops from cells in the basal layer of the epidermis or hair follicles.
- Internal - they do not occur in the area of the visible external parts of the body, but where they are difficult to notice, for example, in the larynx or bladder.
Sharp
These growths are often called warts. Their characteristics are their small size and their particular shape: a wide base and a sharp point. These warts are flesh colored or slightly pinkish and appear singly or in groups. They are distinguished by rapid growth: in just a few days, where there was only one growth, a whole group of them is formed. In shape, this family resembles a cauliflower inflorescence. Genital warts are often localized on the mucous membranes: in the mouth, on the tongue, as well as in the genital area or near the anus.
Scaly
This form of skin growth caused by the HPV virus is one of the most common, as it can have a very wide localization throughout the body. What does a papilloma like this look like? These are flat formations of a round or oval shape, slightly protruding above the surface of the skin - no more than 1 mm, can be both soft and with signs of keratinization. Often they appear in groups, their color practically does not differ from the surrounding cover.
Such growths mainly occur in the upper body: on the face (for example, on the nose or lip), neck. They often appear on the mucous membranes: inside the mouth on the cheeks or the tongue. Squamous cell tumors can be diagnosed in the esophagus, larynx, as well as in organs of the genitourinary system and even in the rectum. People who have such formations are advised to remove them due to the high risk of degeneration into a malignant form.
Basal cell
These growths are often called basaliomas or senile warts because they often affect the skin of older people. These formations develop slowly from the basal layer of the epidermis (hence the name) or from the hair follicles, appear on the surface of the skin as pinkish to dark brown papillae. Areas of the body where basal cell carcinoma is common are the armpits, back, lips, and nose. Their peculiarity is that they never degenerate into cancerous tumors, so they are considered safe.
What papillomas look like in intimate places
When it comes to formations in the genital area, then we mean sharp formations. Papillomas of this type are cells invaded by the growth of the upper layer of the epithelium, which look like groups of small papillae. Such growths can also affect both sexes. They are localized in the groin and directly on the surface of the genitals: in men - on the head of the penis or in the lumen of the urethra, in women - on the vaginal mucosa, the surface of the cervix. uterus and in the uterus itself.
Manifestations of changes in the integument of the genitals, which occur as a result of human infection with the HPV virus, require special attention from the patient. He needs to see a doctor and remove the growths on the genitals, because with the transition of such a disease to a chronic form, the risk of infertility and oncology increases significantly.
Photo: what papillomas look like on the body
In order to accurately and clearly imagine for yourself what these formations are, it will be helpful for you to look at the pictures of what these growths look like. Check out this selection of photos showing examples of different types of papillomas. Check these photos for growths that you or your loved ones have, and you can determine in advance if these warts are subject to squeeze out, and avoid serious risks to your health.
