When nipple-like growths appear on the trunk, limbs or face, it is always an unpleasant surprise for a person. These are benign formations on the skin, which can be multiple or single. Papillomas on the body, unfortunately, are a very common disease that develops due to infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), but its treatment in modern conditions is not a problem.
What are papillomas on the body
Papilloma virus is a benign tumor that grows from the tissues of the squamous epithelium. It acts as a drop or papilla on the skin, 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 form on the body. They differ in growth rate, appearance, location.The papilloma virus can be found anywhere on the body:
- natural folds: groin, armpits, mammary glands, lower abdomen;
- face: eyelids, close to eyes, close to mouth;
- trunk: back, abdomen, neck, arms, legs;
- genitals: vagina, penis area;
- internal organs: intestines, stomach, bladder, esophagus, larynx, trachea.
What a papilloma looks like
HPV may look different from the outside. As a rule, these are oval growths on the body or rounded processes on the skin that look like a papilla.
They can be small (1-5 mm), medium (1 cm), large (1-3 cm) and giant (over 3 cm) in size. The structure of the papules is relatively loose and soft. Intermediate blood vessels are often seen on the surface.
The color is mostly flesh and all varieties are brown. There are cases when the papillomas had a blue, purple and even black-charcoal hue.
Why do papillomas appear
These growths on the body are viral in nature. The infection is transmitted by contact with a healthy person. Both men and women are equally susceptible to infection, but are affected differently by the virus. The weaker sex may feel burning and itching in the genital area, bleeding and other external secretions from the vagina. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by syphilis, chlamydia, herpes and other sexually transmitted pathologies.
Men are not afraid of certain types of virus that are dangerous to women (16, 18). However, the stronger sex is a carrier of infections. As for papillomas on the genitals, nodes and glans penis or in the urethra, these are painless benign neoplasms of types 6 and 11 that need to be removed. Penile cancer is very rare.
Infection methods
The infection is especially active in gyms, swimming pools, saunas, baths. Other reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the body are sexual intercourse, birth (from mother to child).
Here are some more ways to get human papillomavirus:
- when kissing because the virus is contained in saliva;
- when using personal belongings of the infected;
- in case of insufficient processing of medical instruments.
Species and types
The number of types of neoplasms in the body is estimated at dozens, so doctors divide them into 5 groups, combining them by color, symptoms and risk of malignant degeneration of skin cells:
- Sorry for papillomas.Also called vulgar warts. It is the most widespread. The first sign of HPV is a small growth on the skin. In the process of development, it transforms into a dark keratinized tubercle. It is localized both in groups and individually. Favorite places for localization are the hands, the lower part of the face.
- Flat papillomas.A characteristic feature is the group accumulation of growths. Flat papillomas do not have a bulge, but are painted in a dark color. The main site of spread is the upper body, the genital area.
- Genital warts.The location is the lining 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 were called "acrochords". A characteristic feature of this species is the leg that supports the mole. Acrochords are senile growths, as they appear mainly on the body of middle-aged and elderly people.
- Internal papillomas.This subgroup includes all neoplasms that develop in the internal organs. It is impossible to independently recognize genital warts from this group; this requires special diagnostics. The presence of disease can give symptoms.
Danger of viruses
Human papillomavirus infection is not usually a major health hazard. However, some species are able to degenerate into a malignant tumor. Non-oncogenic papillomas can also cause a lot of discomfort if they start to grow, for example on the back, in the mouth or in the groin area. They are often injured, leaving ulcers and wounds on the body, open to infection. Bladder warts often provoke an inflammatory process, and growths in the uterine cavity sometimes lead to female infertility.
Diagnostics
If you notice a papilloma on your body, you should consult a dermatologist. After the initial examination, the doctor will send the patient for a cytological examination and blood test (tumor markers, HPV, DNA). This is necessary to determine pathological processes and to determine the type of viral infection in terms of oncogenic risk. If a tumor of the cervix appears, then a colposcopy is needed.
How to get rid of papillomas on the body
There are many methods to treat 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. Propagation of papules is treated with surgical and therapeutic methods. Folk recipes also help during HPV infection.
How to get rid of HPV with drugs
When HPV first appears, doctors prescribe medication to reduce the chances of infecting others. Various drugs are used to fight viral infections in gynecology and dermatology.
Laser Removal
It is not uncommon for people to resort to surgical removal of growths if they appear unsightly or cause discomfort, for example if they are in intimate areas, in the neck area or in the natural folds of the skin. Laser removal of papillomas takes several minutes. Its essence consists in the use of a device that burns a tumor. There is no contact with the skin, which guarantees high safety of the procedure. The advantages of the technique include no blood loss, painlessness and fast recovery.
Against laser treatment:
- high price;
- inability to study remote growth.
Liquid nitrogen
Removal of neoplasms with liquid nitrogen (cryodestruction) is no less effective. Although the procedure is simple, it requires preparation: thoroughly wash the areas of skin that will be frozen, shave the hair, if any. To apply nitrogen, the specialist uses a metal swab with a cotton tip, which is immersed in a container of clear liquid. Contact with the papilloma then occurs within 1-5 seconds. Recovery takes place within 2-3 days. The advantages of the procedure are simplicity and speed, high efficiency.
Disadvantages of the method:
- the likelihood of damage to surrounding tissues;
- pain during conduction;
- failure to remove large growths,
Treatment of papillomas by radio wave method
The essence of the technique is to affect the accumulation of high-frequency radio waves, which are completely harmless to health. To remove the papilloma, the doctor fixes the beam for a few seconds at the problem point. After the procedure, drug therapy is prescribed. The advantage of the method of radio waves lies in 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 price;
- is not effective for removing large growths.
Electrocoagulation
A medical procedure in which benign growths are removed with a precisely coordinated electric current. Electrocoagulation is performed with an apparatus equipped with a circuit and an electrode, which are heated to high temperatures. The manipulation is performed under local anesthesia. For children, the removal is performed under general anesthesia. After burning the tumor, the skin is treated with an antiseptic. The procedure takes 5-10 minutes.
The advantages of the method include the safety and effectiveness of the removal of skin diseases, the prevention of the possibility of infection and the possibility of histology.Against electrocautery:
- risk of residual scars;
- relative soreness;
- long recovery period (up to 10 days);
- recurrences are possible at the site of removal.
How to remove moles and papillomas with folk remedies
According to reviews of patients who are carriers of HPV, the use of alternative prescriptions after drug therapy and / or any removal methods helps to remove the virus faster.
At home, in case of external manifestations of papillomas, the following methods are effective:
- celandine.It is necessary to lubricate the skin with a neoplasm with freshly squeezed vegetable juice several times a day.
- Banana.To speed up the therapy, it is necessary to apply the fruit pulp on the neoplasms. Banana is especially effective for small plantar warts.
Prevention
The following preventative measures to prevent recurrence are shown:
- to have periodic HPV examinations;
- avoid casual sexual contact;
- maintain immunity: eat right, temper;
- control the growth and changes in the form of untreated papillomas;
- vaccinate with 2% serum (three times in six months).