A papilloma is a cylinder-shaped growth on the skin on the pedicle, often almost invisible. In many cases, this does not manifest itself in any way, but with the weakening of immunity and in the heat, it appears unexpectedly. As a rule, this is first a single papilloma (so-called "mother"), and then grows "babies" that are sprinkled on different parts of the body. Many people just try not to notice this flaw, but is it so harmless? Should I remove papillomas? We will tell you in detail what papillomas are and how to deal with them, as well as the most effective methods of removal.
What is a papilloma?
To understand how to deal with papilloma on the skin of the body, you need to understand what it is all about. The medical name for papilloma is the human papilloma virus (HPV). It is a sexually transmitted disease. Also, infection with this disease can occur by the contact-household method (through damage to the skin when in contact with some objects touched by an infected person).
Papillomas can be "recognized" by the shape of the papilla or bulge. As a rule, they have a so-called "leg". Such growths can be located in a chaotic manner in different parts of the body - on the arms, feet, neck, elbows and knees, face, lips, chest. Sizes can be different - both very small and large. The shade of papilloma varies from light flesh color to dark brown and reddish. This is why some people mistake them for moles.
In fact, papilloma is a benign neoplasm that can appear not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membrane. The difference between papillomas and warts is as follows - they are softer, do not have a keratinized layer, while warts have a harder texture.
One of the types of papillomas is the so-called "genital wart", which has an elongated conical shape and appears on the genitals. Under mechanical action such growths itch, hurt and even bleed. Only a doctor can determine if a patient has a papilloma or condyloma, who prescribes additional examinations and tests if necessary.
Why do papillomas appear?
Let's understand why papillomas appear and how to treat them. The most common causes of papillomas:
- changes in hormone levels (including pregnancy, miscarriage);
- hypothermia;
- implantation of an intrauterine device;
- body exhaustion;
- bad habits (smoking, alcohol).
Papillomas often appear, disappear, and then reappear, because they are a manifestation of a viral infection. This means that their presence determines the body's immunity at a given time. HPV often occurs in people who have had unprotected sex with an infected person, as well as in women who are taking hormonal birth control pills.
The factor of "launching" the virus is any stress that the body has suffered: a common cold, long-term use of drugs, hypothermia. All this weakens the immune system and makes it susceptible to the human papilloma virus.
It is very easy to get infected - it is enough to be in close contact with an infected person, live with a papilloma carrier, or just visit a public beach, swim in a shared pool or visit a sauna. By the way, this virus is a "lover" of heat and high humidity.
Why is papilloma dangerous?
Some types of HPV virus are dangerous because they can cause the development of cervical cancer in women. This primarily refers to genital warts, which usually appear on the genitals. Due to the fact that the viral disease passes without symptoms, the person does not consult a doctor for a long time. It is therefore important that women visit a gynecologist every six months, and once a year to be tested for cytology, so that precancerous changes, if any, in the cervix can be detected in time.
Even if a person does not have a genital wart, in any case papillomas speak of body dysfunction. Tiny growths signal that you should visit a doctor and rule out the presence of gynecological diseases, kidney problems, colitis. Even after the examination, it is necessary to remove the papilloma, because it is a benign neoplasm, which may one day develop into a malignant one. In addition, papillomas look unattractive, this is an aesthetic disadvantage. But how to properly remove papillomas to avoid complications? There will be more to say about this.
How to remove papillomas: popular methods
Noticing papillomas in ourselves, we immediately start looking for information on the internet on how to remove papillomas. There are many home methods, but they can be not only ineffective, but also dangerous and traumatic. It is better to visit specialists!
How to remove papillomas is categorically impossible:
- Tear off.
- Tie with string.
- Needle.
These actions will only cause the virus to "occupy" other territories and "move" to other areas. But how to get rid of papillomas to stop appearing?
If you have a papilloma, your doctor will tell you how to treat it, depending on the type of growth. However, we will consider the most popular and most effective methods of papilloma removal:
- Excision with a surgical scalpel. . . This is the easiest way, but quite painful. Today, there are gentler techniques that leave no trace.
- Cauterization with liquid nitrogen. . . Papillomas simply freeze and the vital activity of their cells ceases.
- Electrocoagulation. . . In this case, the build-up is removed by electric current. Before removing papillomas on the body with this method, the patient is given minimal local anesthesia.
- Radio wave surgery. . . The method is non-contact, it provides for the removal of the defect by exposure to radio waves. In this case, local anesthesia is also used.
- Laser removal. . . It is considered to be the most effective and safest method in the fight against papillomas. The laser beam penetrates to the desired depth, clogs the vessel that feeds the growths, and as a result the neoplasm dies and disappears. As a rule, the papilloma disappears after a few days.
How best to remove papillomas
How best to remove papillomas, your doctor will tell you who will see your papilloma and will be able to determine its type. But now, in most cases, laser removal is recommended because it has many advantages:
- Non-contact procedure - there is no physical contact between the skin and the instrument, while the parallel laser beam has a bactericidal effect.
- Bloodlessness, absence of painful sensations.
- Absence of such side effects as burns, scars, hyperpigmentation after the procedure.
- Possibility of removing several papillomas at once.
Before appointing the procedure, the cosmetologist tells the patient how to remove papillomas with a neodymium laser, and also determines whether there is a contraindication. If all is well, the session does not last longer than 15 minutes. Laser removal took place without traces and various complications. In parallel, the doctor prescribes the patient drugs to increase immunity.
We hope we have helped you understand what a papilloma is and how to treat it. The main thing is not to self-medicate to prevent unpleasant consequences in the form of burns or injuries, and also not to suspect that everyone must remove papillomas.