A pathological formation such as papilloma can appear in any person.Furthermore, the older it is, the greater its number in 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 found on top of 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 in the body is the human papillomavirus (HPV).Once it enters the body, it remains there forever.
Species
Experts distinguish more than a hundred types of these neoplasms.Fortunately, five of them appear most frequently in the human body.They all differ from each other:
- Simple,that occur in the upper extremities.They can exist for decades, but sometimes they disappear on their own.They are seen more frequently in children and adolescents.
- flat,Common on the neck, face, and upper extremities.Sometimes they are a major factor in skin inflammation.
- plantars,causing great discomfort and intense pain.They affect the feet.
- like a thread,common in adults and older people.Most often they form in the neck, groin and armpits.These papillomas are usually located in the eye area.
- pointed,which are often called condylomas.They form in the genitals and are very dangerous.
Infection
To understand why papilloma appears in the body, it is necessary to understand how the virus enters the body.There are the following ways to become infected with HPV:
- contact and home;
- 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 the papillomavirus.After infection, the child usually develops anogenital warts or laryngeal papillomatosis.
Reasons for appearance
Naturally, the main cause of the formation of papillomas is HPV, but sometimes it does not manifest itself for years and, under favorable conditions, begins to actively develop in the body.There are several factors that cause 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;
- visit 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 in the body.
Danger of papillomas
A person with HPV is at risk of developing cancer, since several types of papillomaviruses are distinguished by their high oncogenicity.
They are often the main cause of the appearance of malignant tumors in the genital area.Tumors develop more frequently in older people, although recently they have also appeared in quite young women.
The papillomavirus often causes erosion of the cervix, which increases the risk of cancer.For men, the virus does not pose a special danger, since the probability of their developing malignant tumors is very low.Papillomas on the genitals create some discomfort that can interfere with a full sexual life.
These tumors in the body are often damaged.Especially dangerous are injuries and infections of papillomas located in places of friction of clothing and in the bends of the extremities.
Very often, when shaving, men damage the formations located on the face and neck.But any mechanical injury can cause infection and degeneration into a malignant tumor.
Signs and diagnosis.
After HPV enters the body, the incubation period lasts 2 to 3 months.In some cases it can last 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.Its size can vary from 1 mm to several millimeters.They are often found in groups.They form in the palms, fingers and popliteal cavities.These papillomas grow when the immune system does not work properly.
- Flat papillomasThe color is practically indistinguishable from skin tone.They look like cones with a flat top.These formations often turn red and itch.
- plantar formationsIt is very reminiscent of calluses.At the initial stage of development, small neoplasms appear in the form of bumps, which gradually turn into a papilloma with a characteristic border.Smaller daughter formations appear next to it.
- Filiform papillomasThey are yellowish cones that little by little grow in length.Its size can reach 1 to 6 mm.
- Condylomata acuminataThey appear when the immune system does not function properly.In good health, this type of virus can remain dormant for decades.Under the influence of provoking factors, characteristic formations appear on the genitals.In men, they are located in the scrotum, the head of the penis and the frenulum.In women they appear on the clitoris, cervix, labia, vagina and anus.These painless formations, the size of which varies from 1 mm to several centimeters, have a thin stem.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 tumors.To determine the oncogenicity of papilloma, a blood test is performed using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and DNA diagnosis.As a general rule, the specialist suggests performing the same studies on the patient's sexual partner.
Women, in addition to the above tests, undergo colposcopy and a 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 by 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 prevent 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.Papillomavirus treatment must be comprehensive.
Prevention
Getting rid of these tumors is much more difficult than preventing their appearance.Knowing why papillomas appear on the body, a person can protect himself as much as possible from infection with this virus.To do this, it is not enough to eliminate the causes of the disease, but it is also necessary to regularly carry out restorative therapy.You must also follow all personal hygiene rules.
Since no one is immune to the papillomavirus, it is necessary to strengthen the body's immune system, maintain hygiene, practice protected sexual relations, and quickly treat diseases of the nervous system.If these tumors appear, you should definitely undergo a medical examination, who will determine the type of HPV and recommend treatment.