Papilloma is a benign skin tumor appearing in the form of small growths and warts.Today, it is 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, threadlike and pointed.There are papillomas that are transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse.These neoplasms are called genital warts and pose a great danger to a woman's health.The place of their localization is the external genitalia, the cervix.Such papillomas usually go unnoticed because they do not reveal their presence in any way.However, there is a high probability of transformation into a malignant tumor of the cervical mucosa.
Causes of papillomas
The cause of the disease is the human papillomavirus (abbreviated HPV), which belongs to the Papoviridae family.Once in the human body, the papilloma virus 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 consists of epithelial tissue containing blood vessels, so injury can lead to bleeding.
The formation of most papillomas localized on the outer integument of the body is not accompanied by the appearance of any symptoms.Sometimes they can appear as mild tingling and itching of the skin.The papilloma can be recognized by its appearance.Outwardly, it is a small growth that rises above the skin and, as a rule, does not differ from it in color.Light brown papillomas are sometimes found.Large tumors, reaching two centimeters and located in open areas of the body (neck, décolleté, face), can cause aesthetic discomfort.
The cause of papilloma is most often a weakened immune system, unable to cope with the virus that has entered the body in time.Risk factors include: smoking, alcohol abuse, frequent stress, diseases of the digestive system, promiscuity.You can also become infected with the disease by visiting swimming pools, saunas and public baths.Papilloma is passed from mother to baby at birth.Located in the deep layers of the epithelium and not being felt, the virus is considered dormant;it does not pose a threat either to its wearer or to its environment.Its presence in the human body therefore does not constitute an indication for treatment.The papilloma becomes contagious when it reaches the upper layers of the skin and is localized above its surface in the form of a visible neoplasm.
Treatment of papillomas
Self-treatment of papilloma is not recommended.At best, the result will be no positive outcome;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.A poorly removed papilloma will form again in the same place after a while.Therefore, this delicate issue should be entrusted to a specialist - a dermatologist.
Today there are several ways to eliminate papilloma:
- Electrocoagulation;
- Laser Removal;
- Removal with a radio knife;
- Cryodestruction.
Electrocoagulation involves exposing the affected area of the skin to 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 completely bloodless, after which no visible 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 carried out using lasers than the removal of an ordinary wart.The laser method for removing benign skin tumors is recognized worldwide.It has many advantages: a quick procedure, relative painlessness, the absence of blood and scars on the skin that form after removing the papilloma with the surgeon's scalpel.After laser removal of the 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 does not differ from the rest of the body.
For patients who are afraid of the reappearance of the papilloma or who have already had an unsuccessful experience in getting rid of it, it is recommended to remove the tumor using a special radio knife, which cuts the entire area of the epithelial tissue along with the papilloma located there.The operation, of course, is carried out under anesthesia and guarantees lifelong relief from the papilloma in this skin area.
Another modern way to eliminate unwanted skin defects is cryodestruction - cauterization of the tumor using liquid nitrogen.The procedure itself is painless, but has one drawback: in some cases, for example, in the case of genital warts, it is ineffective.
A specialist can tell you which method is most effective for removing 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 itself will be carried out.Today, many beauty salons offer the removal of moles, papillomas and warts for a relatively low price, but most of them cannot guarantee 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 a dermatologist, who will diagnose the disease, determine its exact origin and only then prescribe the ablation procedure.