Armpit papillomas are a common problem in patients of different sex and age. Often the disease affects adolescents, sometimes children. Its causes and treatment are closely related, because after removing the predisposing factor, it is possible to get rid of the growths.
What are papillomas
Papillomas are benign neoplasms that appear on the skin and cause unpleasant symptoms. They can be different shapes and sizes, are rarely solitary, and often affect a specific area of the skin.The regular appearance of growths in large numbers in medicine is called papillomatosis.
Types of underarm papillomas
Papillomas under the armpits, the causes and treatment of which differ by type, are divided into several classifications. Taking into account the peculiarities of the growth of the neoplasm, a distinction is made between endophytic and exophytic growths. The former grow inside the skin, forming only a slight elevation on the skin.
The latter germinate above the surface of the skin, have a different shape, size, significantly complicate a person's life. Doctors also distinguish several types of growths, depending on the shape.
The most common are:
- Apartmentusually have a rounded shape, rise slightly above the skin, rarely cause discomfort to the patient. The patient only notices them when symptoms appear.
- Sharpare common, small in size, attached to the skin at the base, tapering towards the tip as they grow. Neoplasms do not appear individually, more often appear in groups of many.
- Finger-shapedlook like spikes in appearance, but have not one, but two or three points. They appear in the same way as the previous growths, causing significant discomfort.
- Simple or common papillomasIs the most common type. Their appearance resembles a mole, they have a rounded shape and rise slightly above the level of the skin.
- skinnyformations most often appear under the armpits. They are very thin and are attached to the skin with a thin stalk. Such accumulations can be easily damaged or even torn off by careless movement or rubbing of clothing.
Plus, experts identify growths prone to malignancy and those that never turn into a malignant tumor. The classification is conditional, the type is detected during the diagnosis.
Stages and degrees of underarm papillomas
Underarm papillomas, the causes and treatment of which are similar for any type of disease, are not officially divided by experts into stages or degrees. But doctors conditionally distinguish the initial, progressive and advanced stage of papillomatosis. Flat formations grow slowly, at the initial stage they do not appear in any way.
As the disease progresses, the patient feels discomfort, notices an accumulation.At an advanced stage, the neoplasm causes pain, it may bleed, and other smaller papillomas form next to it. Papillomas vulgaris progress according to the same principle.
Pointed papillomas appear in several places at once in the armpits. At first, the patient does not feel pain. In addition, the number of growths increases. At an advanced stage, the size and number of formations rapidly increase, the patient damages them, and an infection joins.
Finger-shaped neoplasms develop in the same way as sharp neoplasms, but they grow more slowly, they are injured less often.
Infection joins in rare cases.Filamentous papillomas most often cause complications. At the initial stage, one or two growths appear. In addition, their number is increasing. At an advanced stage, most of the skin under the armpits is covered with growths, they cause pain, itching, and are damaged by clothing and hygiene products when showering.
Symptoms of underarm papillomas
In most cases, papillomatosis does not cause severe symptoms in the initial and progressive stages. The incubation period can last from several months to several years.
The main signs in advanced cases will be:
- the formation of a small accumulation of different shapes and sizes;
- the appearance of a similar neoplasm next to it;
- slight dryness of the skin in the area of the papilloma;
- bleeding with damage to the accumulation;
- pain when rubbing papillomas with clothing;
- inflammation of the skin around the formations;
- the appearance of sores or cracks.
In severe cases, an infection is added, caused by bacteria entering small wounds formed when the growth is damaged.
The reasons for the appearance of papillomas under the armpits
Armpit papillomas, the causes and treatment of which are almost always the same, result from the penetration of the human papilloma virus into the body. Today, specialists know about 600 strains. More than 70% of the world's population is infected with this virus, but it is activated under certain circumstances.
The main contributing factors will be:
- weakened immunity as a result of prolonged illness;
- regular overwork, intense physical activity;
- unhealthy diet, vitamin and mineral deficiency;
- chronic vitamin deficiency;
- frequent stressful situations;
- long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
- follow a course of chemotherapy.
Any of the factors can trigger the activation of the virus, the appearance of neoplasms. HPV is transmitted sexually through the use of routine personal hygiene items. Children can be infected from their parents.
Diagnosis of underarm papillomas
Patients with symptoms of papillomatosis are advised to see a specialist for a diagnostic examination. The first method of examination will be to examine the skin at the site of the growth. The doctor examines the affected area, assesses the condition of the papillomas and the likelihood of their transformation into malignant tumors.
The next method will be a complete blood count.A blood sample is taken from a patient through a vein or finger, and specialists study it under laboratory conditions. Based on the results of the analysis, the doctor determines the general condition of the patient. These diagnoses are performed at any educational institution and are usually free.
Armpit papillomas can be diagnosed in a number of ways. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is one of the main and most effective. Used to detect HPV in a patient's blood sample, identify the exact cause, and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
The analysis is done in large clinics.Some provincial clinics also perform PCR testing. Test - a screening test that allows you to quickly identify different strains of HPV, has high accuracy.
For research, the patient's blood is taken, after which it is studied in special laboratories with reagents and equipment. Today, the method is considered the most effective and popular, it is performed in all countries of the world, most often in large clinics.
When to consult a doctor
Armpit papillomas often do not bring tangible discomfort, but they interfere with their appearance and therefore need to be removed. It is worth contacting a specialist if the psycho-emotional state of the patient is disturbed and complexes appear.
You should definitely consult a doctor if there is damage to the growth and bleeding, severe pain, signs of inflammation of the skin around the neoplasms. The type of papilloma, size and shape are not important.
A visit to a specialist is indicated if HPV is detected during the polymerase chain reaction or screening study. Dermatologists and dermatovenerologists treat the problems of papillomatosis. Usually, the patient is referred to a specialized service. If signs of malignancy are present, consultation with an oncologist is indicated.
Prevention of underarm papillomas
The patient is not able to completely eliminate the risk of infection with the human papillomavirus, butcan reduce it considerably if the following recommendations are followed:
- Normalization of the mode of work and rest will eliminate overwork and a decrease in immunity as a result. It is necessary to devote enough time to good rest and try not to overload the body.
- Improving the quality of nutrition helps reduce the risk of developing vitamin deficiency and weakening the body's defenses.
- Avoiding promiscuous sex and having a regular partner also helps reduce the risk of HPV infection.
- The use of barrier methods of contraception during intercourse.
- Refusal to use the personal hygiene products of others. HPV persists for a long time in washcloths, towels and other personal effects.
Each method minimizes the risk of contracting HPV, but does not eliminate it. Today there is no one hundred percent way to prevent the virus from entering the body.
Methods of treating papillomas under the armpits
Underarm papillomas, the causes and treatment of which are in most cases related, are successfully removed with medication. In addition, specialists refer patients to procedures to remove growths. Sometimes the patient is allowed to use alternative medicine recipes.
Medications
For the treatment of papillomatosis, antiviral agents, vitamin complexes, ointments or gels for external use are prescribed.
| Action and efficiency | Scheme and course of treatment |
| Immunostimulant and antiviral drug. It has an effect due to the content of the substance inosine pranobex. Destroys HPV, stimulates the body's defenses. Very effective regardless of the form and stage of the disease | Treatment lasts 10 to 14 days, depending on the severity of the condition. You should take 2 tablets three times a day. It is best to do this after eating. |
| Antiviral agent, increases the body's defenses. It works thanks to the content of human interferon. Most often, suppositories and ointment are used together to enhance the action. The drug is effective at any stage of the disease | The duration of treatment does not exceed 10 days. Suppositories are injected into the rectum 1 piece twice a day. The ointment is used to treat papillomas 3-4 times a day. A small amount is applied to the affected area and rubbed gently |
| Highly effective antiviral agent. Quickly suppresses the activity of HPV, accelerates the process of removing papillomas. Usually the pills are prescribed in combination with the external form | The duration of treatment is 5-10 days. The tablets should be taken 5 times a day at the rate of 1 piece before or after meals. The ointment or cream is applied to the affected areas up to 5 times a day |
| An immunostimulant and antiviral drug that works quickly, effectively even at advanced stages and severe skin damage | The duration of treatment is 10-14 days. It is necessary to take 2 tablets three times a day, preferably after meals. |
| Multivitamin complex containing vitamins and minerals. Effective for weakened immunity, helps the body fight HPV | The duration of admission is 30 days. The daily norm is 1 tablet, it is worth taking with meals |
| An effective antiviral drug with high efficiency. Helps suppress HPV activity in multiple applications and prevent new growths from appearing | The course consists of only 3 applications with a frequency of 48 hours. The candle is inserted into the rectum at bedtime. If that is not enough, 2 candles are introduced next week with an interval of 72 hours |
All medications should only be prescribed by a doctor after examination and identification of the severity of papillomatosis.
Traditional methods
Some recipes of folk medicine are very effective in removing small neoplasms.
The most popular will be:
- Celandine juiceit is considered the most effective in the fight against growths. It is necessary to grind the fresh grass, to extract the juice from it. Using a cotton swab, apply it only to the papilloma, avoiding contact with healthy skin areas. Repeat the procedure morning and evening. After a few days, the growth will turn black, after which it will disappear. The duration of treatment is individual for each.
- Garlic juice and baby cream- a mixture to remove deposits. It is necessary to squeeze the juice from several cloves of garlic, mix with cream in a 1: 1 ratio. Store the resulting mass in the refrigerator. Every day, apply the composition to the papilloma in points, cover with a bandage and leave for 3 hours. It will take 7-14 days to eliminate a small formation.
- Natural apple cider vinegarwill help remove growths under the armpits. It is necessary to lubricate the formation with the product 3-5 times a day, avoiding contact with a healthy blanket. Usually 10 days is enough to fix the problem, the papilloma will go away on its own. The efficiency of the method is high.
Any of the methods will help to remove small papillomas of different shapes. They will not remove large neoplasms. It is strictly forbidden to use the funds when signs of inflammation of the growth or surrounding tissues appear.
Other methods
Some hardware techniques help to remove even large growths in 1 to 3 procedures. The most popular method is laser engraving. With the help of a special laser beam, the specialist acts on the papilloma, the tissues die, and the growth disappears after a few days.
The affected area is pre-injected with an anesthetic to reduce sensitivity.If necessary, a second procedure is necessary if the papilloma was large.
Cryodestruction is an effective method of removing papillomas under the armpits.
Cryodestruction is a method of removing papillomas using liquid nitrogen at extremely low temperature (-170-2000).
The specialist treats the growth, the tissues die, the neoplasm disappears. The manipulation causes discomfort and therefore requires pain relief. Usually a second procedure is not necessary, one visit is enough. Such methods are very effective and minimize the risk of recurrence of skin growths.
Possible complications
In the absence of treatment, papillomas of the armpits are constantly damaged, sores and areas of inflammation of the skin are formed.The danger is the addition of infection with subsequent infection of the blood.The most common and serious complication is the transition from a benign tumor to a malignant tumor.
That is why it is imperative to treat papillomatosis. Armpit papillomas are a dangerous and unpleasant disease that causes psychological and physical discomfort. The cause of the growths is HPV and treatment should aim to remove it, as well as strengthen the immune system.