Papilloma is a benign skin tumor in the form of small growths and warts.Today it has been proven that papillomas are of viral origin.You can become infected with the disease through household contact, when the virus enters the skin through minor damage and microcracks.Currently, several main types of papillomas have been discovered: flat, simple, plantar, filiform and pointed.There are papillomas that are transmitted through unprotected sexual relations.These neoplasms are called genital warts and pose a great danger to women's health.The place of its location is the external genitals, the cervix.These papillomas usually go unnoticed because they do not reveal their presence in any way.However, there is a high probability that they will transform into a malignant tumor of the cervical mucosa.
Causes of papillomas
The cause of the disease is the human papillomavirus (HPV for short), which belongs to the Papoviridae family.Once in the human body, the papillomavirus invades the basal cells of the epithelium, where it actively reproduces.The appearance of papillomas or warts on the skin is the result of high viral activity.The neoplasm itself is made up of epithelial tissue containing blood vessels, so its injury can cause bleeding.
The formation of most papillomas located on the external integument of the body is not accompanied by the appearance of any symptoms.Sometimes they can manifest as mild tingling and itching of the skin.Papilloma can be recognized by its appearance.Externally, it is a small growth that rises above the skin and, as a rule, does not differ in color from it.Sometimes light brown papillomas are found.Large neoplasms, which reach two centimeters and are located in open areas of the body (neck, neckline, face), can cause aesthetic discomfort.
The cause of papilloma is usually a weakened immune system that cannot cope in time with the virus that has entered the body.Risk factors include: smoking, alcohol abuse, frequent stress, diseases of the digestive system, promiscuity.You can also contract the disease by visiting swimming pools, saunas and public baths.Papilloma is transmitted from mother to baby at birth.Located in the deep layers of the epithelium and not making itself felt, the virus is considered inactive;It does not represent a threat to its wearer or its environment.Therefore, its presence in the human body is not an indication for treatment.Papilloma becomes contagious when it reaches the upper layers of the skin and is located on its surface in the form of a visible neoplasm.
Papilloma treatment
Self-treatment of papilloma is not recommended.At best, the result will be the absence of a positive result;In the worst case, a secondary infection will be introduced under the skin.You cannot remove the papilloma yourself, tear it off, comb it or scratch it with your nails.An incorrectly removed papilloma will re-form in the same place after some time.Therefore, this delicate matter should be entrusted to a specialist - a dermatologist.
Today there are several ways to remove papilloma:
- Electrocoagulation;
- Laser removal;
- Removal with radio knife;
- Cryodestruction.
Electrocoagulation involves exposing the affected area of the skin to a high-frequency current, under the influence of which the protein tissue coagulates.Anesthesia is used in case of removal of a large papilloma.The main advantage of this method is that the removal procedure itself is carried out completely without blood, after which no noticeable traces of medical intervention remain on the skin.
The use of lasers for medical purposes has made life much easier for both doctors and patients.Today, much more serious operations are performed with laser than the removal of a common wart.The laser method of removing benign skin tumors is recognized throughout the world.It has many advantages: a quick, relatively painless procedure, absence of blood and scars on the skin that form after removing the papilloma with the surgeon's scalpel.After laser removal of papilloma, a thin protective film forms on the patient's skin, which disappears on its own after 12-14 days, leaving in its place healthy skin that is indistinguishable from the rest of the body.
For patients who are afraid of the recurrence of the papilloma or who have already had an unsuccessful experience in getting rid of it, it is recommended to remove the tumor with a special radio knife, which cuts out the entire area of epithelial tissue along with the papilloma located on it.The operation, of course, is performed under anesthesia and guarantees permanent relief of the papilloma in this area of the skin.
Another modern way to eliminate unwanted skin defects is cryodestruction - cauterization of the tumor with liquid nitrogen.The procedure itself is painless, but it has one drawback: in some cases, for example, with genital warts, it is ineffective.
A specialist will be able to advise which method is most effective to eliminate the papilloma in each specific case.Having decided to get rid of the unpleasant manifestation of the virus on your skin once and for all, you should pay special attention to the institution in which the procedure will be carried out.Today, many beauty salons offer removal of moles, papillomas and warts for a relatively low price, but most of them cannot guarantee the complete safety of removal and the absence of unwanted consequences.As practice shows, it is recommended to remove all skin tumors, including papillomas, only in medical institutions and after consulting with a dermatologist, who will diagnose the disease, determine its exact origin and only then prescribe the removal procedure.