Papillomas and condylomas are small growths on the skin of a virologic nature. You must be able to distinguish between them in order to spot dangerous images in a timely manner and take the necessary measures. The main factor that distinguishes papilloma from condyloma is the type of viral bacterium.
Causes of tumors
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than a hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through contact with the home or through unprotected intercourse. It is possible for the baby to be infected by the mother as it passes through the birth canal.
The growth of synthesis indicates a rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. This happens under the influence of a virus, but its activation is in most cases associated with a decrease in immune protection. Depending on the strain, papillomas or condylomas appear on the body.
Characteristic properties of papilloma
Papilloma is a benign tumor that does not cause discomfort, except aesthetic. Characteristic properties of papilloma:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- the presence of the leg;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are located on any part of the body except the mucous membranes of the genitals. As a rule, the color of the growth varies from natural skin tone to pink-red tones, but highly colored papillomas are also not pathological. Hair growth on the body of the papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not disturb the patient and are not accidentally injured in daily life. Growth of this type is due to the activity of 2, 7 and 28 virus strains. You can be infected with this type of HPV in your daily life and during sexual intercourse.
Properties of genital warts
Warts are of two types - overgrown and broad. The first type appears with HPV infection and rapid growth is one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The sites of genital warts are mucous membranes, mainly in the urinary tract, as well as skin folds that are subject to abrasion against clothing.
The structure of the genital warts is papillary. The images are attached to a thin stem, the growth is born through small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, condyloma is often swollen, wounds in the growth body are possible.
Genital warts are caused by 16, 18, 54 strains of the virus. These types of HPV are potentially dangerous, especially for women. There is a direct link between these viruses and the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
The external difference in growth is easy to notice in the figure - papillomas are homogeneous but condylomas have a fine papillary structure.
- The difference between papillomas and warts lies in the color of the growth. Papilloma can be very pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membrane.
- HPV, which stimulates the development of papillomas, is transmitted through contact with the home, personal hygiene products and even handshakes (in the presence of skin diseases). Warts are only a sexually transmitted disease.
- Warts become swollen. Papillomas can grow in size, show signs of inflammation and injury, but only due to traumatic effects.
- The shape of the papilloma is mainly a round or oval "head" located on a soft stem. Condylomas have irregular contours, which can be arranged in clusters.
- The appearance of growth of different types is due to different strains of the virus.
It is important to remember the main difference between papillomas and warts - the growth of the genitals and mucous membranes must be removed.
Why is growth dangerous?
Papillomas and condylomas are usually considered safe tumors of the skin, but the risk of degenerative cells in malignant cells is higher in the second case.
Condylomas are skin symptoms of the carcinogenic potential of the virus. Many years of research have shown a link between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis with further removal of the genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of cancer in women.
The growth can be located not only on the skin and external genitalia, but also in the vagina and cervix. Due to the uniqueness of the genital circulation, condyloma receives adequate nutrition and can grow rapidly. In gynecology, there are cases where the condyloma located on the wall of the vagina became up to 10 cm in diameter.
Evidence of removal
Warts must be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is primarily due to the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Removing papilloma located on the skin, or not, is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of developing benign papillomas in cancerous tumors increases when the growth body is damaged. This may be due to rubbing against clothing, accidentally due to nails or washcloth during hygiene operations.
You should contact a dermatologist if:
- papilloma has greatly increased in size;
- when pressed, discomfort is felt;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is noted;
- the skin around the growth becomes swollen.
Removing the structure is a matter of five minutes. The operation is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis will allow timely diagnosis of cell degeneration and stop the development of oncology.
How are structures removed?
Any skin growth should be removed by a specialist. Self-cleansing papilloma with the help of folk medicine is not always effective. It is strictly forbidden to remove genital warts at home.
Before the operation, it is necessary to perform a series of tests. First, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the appearance of the tumor.
With a variety of carriers, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunosuppressive therapy. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and adjust your immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts help ointments with immunostimulants in the composition (for example, drugs based on interferon). Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allow you to fight well against the growth of the vagina.
Methods to remove structure:
- cryodestruction;
- electric coagulation;
- laser burning;
- remove with a radio knife;
- carving with boots.
When genital warts are removed, tissues obtained as a result of the operation are sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgery or laser removal.
Electric coagulation is the contact of tumors. The method has proven successful in removing small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove tumors in the skin, but not on the mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth, causing cell death, as a result of which the papilloma simply disappears.
Removing radio waves or a knife is an effective and almost painless way to remove genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, cells in tumors are destroyed. The operation is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser burning of the genital warts is indicated in a large number of growths. The advantages of the method are the washing machines of vessels and capillaries that feed the formation. Due to exposure, there are no traces left on the skin, the risk of bleeding is ruled out. Complete recovery of the epidermis after it has been removed takes place within 5-7 days.
To remove genital warts, folk remedies are not used due to the high risk of damage to the mucous membranes of the aggressive parts of the composition. Alkaline formulations are also prohibited.
To find out how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help. It is recommended to consult a doctor if images appear on the genitals but do not try to remove them yourself.