A pathological formation such as a papilloma can appear in any person.In addition, the older it 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 appear not on the body, but on mucous membranes, ligaments and some organs.
The pathogen that causes the appearance of papilloma on the body is the human papilloma virus (HPV).Once it enters the body, it stays there forever.
Species
Experts distinguish more than a hundred types of these neoplasms.Fortunately, 5 of them appear most often on the human body.They all differ from each other:
- Simple,which occur on the upper limbs.They can exist for decades, but sometimes disappear on their own.They are most often seen 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 intense pain.They affect the feet.
- filiform,common in adults and the elderly.Most often they form on the neck, groin and armpits.These papillomas are often located in the eye area.
- sharp,which are often called condyloma.They form on the genitals and are very dangerous.
Infection
To understand why papilloma appears on 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 housekeeping;
- sexual;
- generic.
The pathogen penetrates even through microscopic lesions on the skin.Infection of newborns occurs in the birth canal of the mother, a carrier of the papillomavirus.After infection, the child often develops anogenital warts or laryngeal papillomatosis.
Reasons for the appearance
Naturally, the main reason for the formation of papillomas is HPV, but sometimes it does not manifest itself for years, and under favorable conditions it begins to actively develop on the body.Different factors cause the progression of the disease.Causes of papilloma:
- low immunity;
- frequent infectious diseases;
- conditions of depression and stress;
- alcoholism;
- prolonged use of medications, including 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, because several types of papillomavirus are distinguished by their high oncogenicity.
They are often 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.
The papilloma virus often causes erosion of the cervix, which increases the risk of cancer.For men, the virus does not pose any particular danger, because the risk of them developing malignant tumors is very low.Papillomas on the genitals create some discomfort that can interfere with a full sex life.
These tumors on the body are often damaged.Particularly dangerous are wounds and infections of papillomas located in places of friction of clothing and folds of limbs.
Very often, when shaving, men damage the 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
Once HPV enters the body, the incubation period lasts 2 to 3 months.In some cases, this can last several years.At the same time, the virus does not reveal itself in any case, 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 located in groups.They form on the palms, fingers and popliteal cavities.These papillomas develop when the immune system malfunctions.
- Flat papillomasColor is virtually indistinguishable from skin tone.They look like flat-topped cones.These formations often turn red and itch.
- Plantar formationsvery reminiscent of calluses.At the initial stage of development, small tumors resembling bumps appear, gradually turning into a papilloma with a characteristic edge.Smaller girl formations appear alongside.
- Filiform papillomasThey are yellowish cones which gradually lengthen.Their size can reach 1 to 6 mm.
- Condyloma acuminatumappear when the immune system is malfunctioning.In good health, this type of virus can remain latent for decades.Under the influence of provoking factors, characteristic formations appear on the genitals.In men, they are located on 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, varying in size from 1 mm to several centimeters, have a thin stem.They have a fleshy, 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 the papilloma, a blood test is carried out using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and DNA diagnostics.As a rule, the specialist offers to carry out the same studies on the patient's sexual partner.
Women, in addition to the above tests, undergo colposcopy and biopsy of the genitals.Patients with oncogenic papillomavirus undergo medical examinations by 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 by different methods.Most often they are removed using various modern methods.These include:
- cryodestruction;
- laser destruction;
- thermocoagulation;
- chemical destruction;
- radiosurgical ablation.
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, applied topically.Treatment for papillomavirus 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 necessary to regularly carry out restorative therapy.You must also follow all personal hygiene rules.
Since no one is safe from the papillomavirus, it is necessary to strengthen the 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.