A pathological formation such as papilloma can appear in any person.Moreover, the older he is, the greater their number can be on the body.To answer the question of why papillomas appear on human skin, it is necessary to study their nature in more detail.These formations are small benign tumors that develop from epithelial cells.They are located above the epidermis in the form of an irregularly shaped droplet.Sometimes papillomas do not appear on the body, but on the mucous membranes, ligaments and some organs.
The pathogen that causes the appearance of papilloma on the body is human papillomavirus (HPV).Once it enters the body, it remains there forever.
Species
Experts distinguish more than a hundred types of these neoplasms.Fortunately, 5 of them most often appear on the human body.They all differ from each other:
- Simple,which occur on the upper extremities.They can exist for decades, but sometimes disappear on their own.They are most often observed in children and adolescents.
- Flat,common on the neck, face, upper limbs.Sometimes they are a major factor in skin inflammation.
- plantar,causing great discomfort and severe pain.They affect the feet.
- threadlike,common in adults and older people.Most often they form on the neck, groin area and armpits.Such papillomas are often localized in the eye area.
- pointed,which are often called condylomas.They form on the genitals and are very dangerous.
Infection
Understanding why papilloma appears on the body, it is necessary to understand how the virus enters the body.There are the following ways to get infected with HPV:
- contact and household;
- sexual;
- generic.
The pathogen penetrates even through microscopic damage to the skin.Infection of newborns occurs in the birth canal of the mother - a carrier of papillomavirus.After infection, the child often develops anogenital warts or develops laryngeal papillomatosis.
Reasons for appearance
Naturally, the main reason for the formation of papillomas is HPV, but sometimes it does not show itself for years, and under favorable conditions it begins to actively develop on the body.There are various factors that provoke the progression of the disease.Causes of papilloma:
- low immunity;
- frequent infectious diseases;
- depression and stress conditions;
- alcoholism;
- prolonged use of medications, especially antibiotics;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- visiting public places such as saunas, baths, swimming pools, beaches.
Despite the fact that the causes of the appearance of the virus are different, the combination of several provoking factors causes the growth of a large number of tumors on the body.
Danger of papillomas
A person with HPV is at risk of developing cancer, since several types of papillomavirus are distinguished by their high oncogenicity.
Often they are the main cause of the appearance of malignant tumors in the genital area.Tumors most often develop in older people, although recently they have also appeared in fairly young women.
Papillomavirus often causes erosion of the cervix, which increases the risk of cancer.For men, the virus does not pose a particular danger, since the likelihood of them developing malignant tumors is very low.Papillomas on the genitals create a certain discomfort, which can interfere with a full sexual life.
These tumors on the body are often damaged.Injury and infection of papillomas located in places of friction of clothing and on the bends of the limbs are especially dangerous.
Very often, when shaving, men damage formations located on the face and neck.But any mechanical injury can lead to their infection and degeneration into a malignant tumor.
Signs and diagnosis
After HPV enters the body, the incubation period lasts 2-3 months.In some cases it can last for several years.At the same time, the virus does not reveal itself in any way, but under favorable conditions, papillomas quickly appear on the body.Signs of these neoplasms:
- Simple papillomashard with a rough surface.Their size can vary from 1 mm to several millimeters.They are often localized in groups.They form on the palms, fingers and popliteal cavities.Such papillomas grow when the immune system is malfunctioning.
- Flat papillomasThe color is practically indistinguishable from the skin tone.They resemble cones with a flat top.These formations often become red and itchy.
- Plantar formationsvery reminiscent of calluses.At the initial stage of development, small bump-like neoplasms appear, gradually turning into a papilloma with a characteristic rim.Smaller daughter formations appear next to it.
- Filiform papillomasThey are yellowish cones that gradually grow in length.Their size can reach 1-6 mm.
- Condylomas acuminataappear when the immune system malfunctions.In good health, this type of virus can lie dormant for decades.Under the influence of provoking factors, characteristic formations appear on the genitals.In men, they are localized on the scrotum, head of the penis and frenulum.In women, they appear on the clitoris, cervix, labia, vagina, and anus.These painless formations, ranging in size from 1 mm to several centimeters, have a thin stalk.They have a flesh-colored, pinkish or reddish tint.
A dermatologist will help diagnose a specific type of HPV.Specialists such as a urologist and gynecologist also examine the genitals for the presence of tumors.To determine the oncogenicity of papilloma, a blood test is performed using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and DNA diagnostics.As a rule, the specialist suggests conducting the same studies to the patient’s sexual partner.
Women, in addition to the above tests, undergo colposcopy and biopsy of the genital organs.Patients whose papillomavirus is oncogenic undergo medical examinations with a gynecologist twice a year.Pregnancy planning involves preliminary diagnosis and treatment of the virus.If genital warts are detected in a pregnant woman, the specialist recommends removal of these tumors.
Treatment
Papillomas can be treated using different methods.Most often they are removed using various modern methods.These include:
- cryodestruction;
- laser destruction;
- thermocoagulation;
- chemical destruction;
- radiosurgical removal.
If HPV is detected in the body, conservative treatment is prescribed, during which special medications are used.They stop the virus from multiplying and increase the activity of immune cells.When the cervix is affected, special ointments are also used, which are applied topically.Treatment of papillomavirus should be comprehensive.
Prevention
Getting rid of these tumors is much more difficult than preventing their occurrence.Knowing why papillomas occur on the body, a person can protect himself as much as possible from infection with this virus.To do this, it is not enough just to eliminate the causes of the disease, but it is necessary to regularly carry out restorative therapy.You should also follow all the rules of personal hygiene.
Since no one is immune from papillomavirus, one should strengthen the body’s immune system, maintain hygiene, practice protected sex, and promptly treat diseases of the nervous system.If these tumors appear, you should definitely undergo an examination by a doctor, who will determine the type of HPV and recommend treatment.