Papillomas are called benign skin and mucous membranes. But certain strains can cause tissue degeneration. Therefore, experts recommend timely removal of papillomas. This will prevent the appearance of malignant tumors, including the development of cervical cancer in women.
Papillomatous growths appear on the skin and mucous membranes due to ingestion of human papilloma virus (HPV), which may not manifest for a long time. With weakened immunity, tissue damage, chronic transmission occurs cellular hyperplasia. HPV begins to multiply actively, causing the formation of papillomas or warts on the skin or genital warts (on the genital mucosa).
Predisposing factors
The following factors contribute to the active growth of papillomas:
- frequent change of sexual partners, infection with sexually transmitted diseases;
- home contact with people who have warts, warts or papillomas;
- damage to the skin and mucous membranes;
- weakening of immunity.
In 80% of people who have reached puberty, HPV is present in an inactive form. The virus does not cause neoplasms to grow until 6-8 months after contact with the virus carrier. The exceptions are genital warts and papillomas - they appear in the first weeks after intimate contact with an infected person.
Why remove papillomas
The papilloma virus is dangerous to health. Strains with a high oncogenic risk are especially dangerous: 16, 18, 30, 31-35, 56-59, 67-68. When papillomatous growths appear, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist or venereologist. The doctor will perform an external examination and prescribe PCR diagnostics, which will identify the DNA of the virus and determine the degree of oncogenicity of a particular strain.
Also, the specialist will select the most effective surgical techniques. Only a doctor, having the results of the examination at hand, can tell exactly how to remove papillomas with minimal health risks. It is not recommended to leave such neoplasms. Under the influence of adverse factors, they can become inflamed, bleed, and cause benign or malignant tissue hyperplasia.
Bitan!It is imperative to remove papillomas in intimate places - neoplasms of high oncogenic risk most often appear there.
If papillomatous growths are found on the external genitalia (vulva, perineal region, foreskin), it is necessary to visit a venereologist. In addition, it is worth passing the tests prescribed by a doctor, the purpose of which is not only to determine the type of HPV, but also to detect concomitant urogenital infections.
Surgical treatment of papilloma
The main methods of surgical treatment of papillomas:
- the use of special local means with which you can remove papillomas at home;
- cryodestruction (removal of papillomas with liquid nitrogen);
- laser coagulation (laser papilloma removal);
- radiowave papilloma removal;
- excision of formations with a scalpel.
Any of these methods can remove papillomas. The specialist will help you choose the appropriate option, taking into account the location of the neoplasm, the number of papillomatous growths and diagnostic data. Before removing a papilloma, the doctor must make sure that there are no malignant processes. With a high oncogenic risk, experts prefer the classic method of papilloma removal - excision of neoplasms with a scalpel.
The main indications for papilloma removal:
- the desire to get rid of a cosmetic defect in the form of single or multiple papillomatous growths on the skin and mucous membranes;
- frequent damage to neoplasms located under the armpits, neck, groin, bleed and become inflamed, leading to an increased risk of tissue malignancy;
- detection of medium and high oncogenic risk papillomas;
- presence among relatives of persons with malignant neoplasms;
- the site of papilloma localization is the genitals and internal genital organs.
Ideal time to remove papillomas
Before removing papillomas on the body and face, the doctor warns the patient of possible complications, including the formation of age spots. The risk of pigmentation is higher in spring and summer. Many people wonder if it is possible to remove papillomas in the summer. If the formations are located on exposed parts of the body or on the face, it is better to postpone surgery for the cold season, when the likelihood of secondary infection and pigmentation is less (UV activity in autumn-winter decreases).
Bitan!It is not enough to just remove the neoplasm - therefore it will not be possible to stop the growth of the papilloma virus. Surgical methods are necessarily combined with therapeutic ones.
It is impossible to get rid of HPV completely - a small amount of the virus will still remain in the body. But in combination with antiviral drugs, surgical methods give the greatest treatment results.
Laser papilloma removal
Laser papilloma removal is a modern method of surgical treatment of HPV. Most often, experts use laser systems with carbon dioxide. No scars or blemishes remain on the skin after the procedure. The high cost of laser papilloma removal corresponds to the effectiveness of the method. The final cost depends on the size and number of lesions. The physician can simultaneously perform laser destruction of up to 5-20 medium-sized formations. After examination and consultation, the specialist will say exactly how much it costs to remove the papilloma and give detailed recommendations. In addition, antiviral treatment is mandatory. Medicines are also chosen by the attending physician.
With the help of a laser, papillomas can be removed from any part of the body, including the genitals. This method is bloodless and non-contact. The laser has an anti-inflammatory effect on tissues, sealing blood vessels, preventing bleeding. Papillomas most often appear on the hands (nipples) and on the neck - in the form of filamentous growths that are easily damaged during hygienic procedures. Such neoplasms do not have a high oncogenic risk, but they are still better to get rid of.
Features of laser papilloma removal
Consult a dermatologist before the procedure. The doctor examines the skin, identifies possible contraindications:
- tissue damage;
- local inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes;
- pregnancy;
- exacerbation of any infectious processes;
- herpes.
During laser papilloma removal, semiconductor lasers are used that evaporate viral neoplasms and simultaneously coagulate blood vessels. After the destruction of the papillomatous shoot, a protective crust (scab) forms on the skin. I discard it myself a week after removal. 2 months after the procedure, the skin tone is completely even. The location of the papillomas will not be different from the adjacent tissues.
Skin care
Scabs formed after laser papilloma removal must be protected from sunlight, water and cosmetics. It is forbidden to try to forcibly tear off the bark - this can lead to wound infection, large scars and prolonging the healing time of the tissue.
After the scab has receded, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with sunscreen before going outside. This will prevent the formation of age spots. It is not necessary to wear sunscreen during the winter months.
Papilloma removal with nitrogen
Nitrogen papilloma removal involves freezing neoplasms (cryodestruction). The method is effective for individual papillomatous growths on the skin. A significant disadvantage of cryodestruction is the inability to control the depth of tissue freezing. That is why it is so important to responsibly approach the choice of the clinic in which the papillomas will have to be removed. The doctor must be licensed to perform surgical activities.
Extremely low temperatures stop metabolic processes in neoplasm cells, causing their death. A necrotic area develops at the site of the removed papilloma, which is gradually replaced by healthy tissue. Cryodestruction is available to most patients. The procedure is much cheaper than other methods (laser coagulation, removal of neoplasms by radio waves).
Papillomas can be removed for aesthetic reasons and in the presence of special indications. Of particular concern are neoplasms, which increase sharply in size, change their hue and shape, become inflamed and injured during hygienic procedures.
Features of cryodestruction
Before removing papillomas with liquid nitrogen, the doctor carefully examines the skin, assesses the general health condition and identifies possible contraindications:
- acute infectious processes;
- decompensated stage of somatic diseases;
- exacerbation of skin diseases;
- herpes;
- tissue damage in the area of the neoplasm site;
- period of pregnancy.
Papilloma removal with nitrogen is performed without anesthesia. The cryodestructor applicator is held above the neoplasm for 1-2 minutes. The skin becomes white and cold and temporarily loses sensitivity. During the procedure there is a slight tingling, tingling may occur. Within a few hours after the procedure, the skin swells and becomes red, and within 24 hours after cryodestruction, vesicular elements within which serous fluid is present appear in the treated area.
Tissue cryonecrosis lasts up to a month, after which the dead areas of the neoplasm are rejected and invisible spots appear in their place, which will completely disappear 3-5 months after the use of liquid nitrogen.
Skin care
In the first weeks after the removal of the papilloma by cryodestruction, it is recommended to protect the skin from moisture, sunlight and other harmful factors. If severe inflammation occurs, you should consult your doctor. Usually the tissues heal on their own, but at a low rate of epithelialization, your doctor may recommend cosmetics that speed up the regeneration of damaged skin.
Papilloma removal by electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation of papillomas involves the removal of growths on the skin with an electric current. The method is quite traumatic, but it has an affordable price. The high frequency current coagulates the proteins of the neoplasm, causing tissue rejection.
Characteristics of the procedure
Prior to electrocoagulation, the specialist may prescribe dermatoscopy, PCR and other methods of laboratory diagnosis. The doctor examines and identifies possible contraindications:
- exacerbation of herpes infection and any inflammatory process;
- pregnancy;
- suspected malignant nature of papilloma;
- skin hypersensitivity, allergic reaction to electricity;
- exacerbation of severe somatic diseases, especially those in the decompensation phase.
Skin care
Electrocoagulation of papillomas does not require complex skin care. It is necessary to avoid the action of predisposing factors that can cause inflammation and the addition of secondary infection. During the first weeks, the formed scab is discarded, after which the skin is completely cleansed and replaced with new cells. During this period, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided. Your doctor may recommend treating the wound with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Radiowave papilloma removal
Removal of papillomas by radiowave method is accompanied by atraumatic incision and coagulation of neoplasm tissue. Radio waves provide a very precise effect, while not injuring healthy tissue and inhibiting the spread of HPV through the bloodstream. Radiosurgical devices used in modern clinics are characterized by their safety and enable the reduction of the risk of any complications.
Characteristics of the procedure
Preliminary diagnosis allows you to determine the amount of virus in the body, the type of HPV, and the degree of oncogenic risk. When choosing a method of treatment, the doctor takes into account the general state of health and identifies possible contraindications:
- pregnancy, menstruation;
- exacerbation of all infectious and inflammatory processes and somatic diseases;
- the presence of malignant tumors;
- exacerbation of herpes infection;
- skin damage at the site of exposure to the radio-wave apparatus.
High-frequency energy cuts the skin, coagulates blood vessels and papilloma tissues. In this case, the electrode has no direct contact with the tissues, thus avoiding painful sensations and muscle cramps. Unlike the electrocoagulation method, using radio waves it is possible to reduce the time of heat exposure and reduce the necrosis of the treated areas.
Skin care
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Papilloma removal takes only 15-30 minutes. In the place of the treated tissue, the scabs of the spikes remain, which are discarded within a week, leaving no rough scars or other defects. During the recovery period, it is recommended to limit contact with water and ultraviolet rays; you must not use cosmetics and household chemicals.
Surgical excision with a scalpel
Papilloma removal with a scalpel during classic surgery is used quite rarely, mainly when signs of malignancy of the neoplasm are detected. In this case, the surgeon cuts out the papillomatous growths while capturing healthy skin.
The method is traumatic, leaving scars and stains. If desired, they can be removed with a laser and other cosmetic procedures, including acid peels. Specialists try not to use surgical excision of papillomas on exposed parts of the body and on the face.
Papilloma removers
Papilloma and wart removal drugs work in the same way: they contain substances that cause the destruction of neoplastic cells with the formation of a small scab in the future. The use of modern type drugs is recommended, which have a lower risk of complications in the form of secondary infection, acute inflammatory reaction, spots and scars. It is also possible to use cryopreparations that can replace standard cryodestruction.
Papilloma removal at home is quite dangerous, especially with large neoplasms. It is better to contact specialists who will select the optimal treatment options, including antiviral therapy, which prevents the recurrence of human papilloma virus infection in the future. An expert will tell you exactly how to remove papillomas at home and whether it is worth it. Preparations for topical application to skin growths are used for individual small neoplasms.
Since it is not always possible to remove papillomas only with the help of pharmaceutical products, it is still recommended to consult a dermatologist. For small neoplasms, your doctor may recommend proven medications that will destroy the papillomatous growths. In addition, the use of antiviral drugs is recommended. An integrated approach increases the effectiveness of the entire treatment process. Antiviral drugs can be removed only if the papillomas are solitary and not prone to proliferation and malignancy.
Papilloma removal by folk methods
Papilloma removal with folk remedies at home is popular. Society does not take the papilloma virus seriously enough. Many do not even know that papillomas can become malignant. Since it is almost impossible to remove papillomas at home without risk to health, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist first. Using modern diagnostic methods, the doctor will be able to assess the nature of the neoplasm and choose an effective treatment regimen.
Common methods of papilloma removal at home
You can remove papillomas at home using the following tools:
- celandine juice;
- garlic;
- green walnut juice;
- salicylic acid.
Bitan!These methods destroy growths on the skin. The use of such agents on the mucous membranes is strictly prohibited due to the high risk of acute inflammatory reaction and chemical burns.
Celandine juice is most often used to remove papillomas. Damaged areas of the skin are treated with this medicine several times a day. In this case, celandine should not be applied to healthy tissues. To prevent burns, it is recommended to treat undamaged skin with vegetable oil or zinc ointment before using the juice.
Garlic has a disinfecting effect, and with prolonged use it helps to remove warts and papillomas. But this method is not suitable for people with sensitive skin. Garlic often causes inflammatory reactions, a burning sensation and redness.
Salicylic acid contributes to the destruction of skin growths caused by the active reproduction of the papilloma virus. This drug is often included in ready-made preparations for the removal of papillomas and warts. Salicylic acid is applied topically several times a day until the neoplasm is completely dead.
Green walnut juice severely stains the skin. The tool must be used for a long time to achieve papilloma death. Treated fabrics get a dark brown hue, peeling and dry skin are possible.