Each strain of HPV causes its own types of papillomas. They differ in external form and place of appearance. Have a low or high carcinogenic level. Papilloma is a result of the HPV virus. Sometimes skin tumors appear on the human skin in completely different places with some common symptoms. They have one common name - papillomas. They differ from each other in shape, structure, location on the body, level of carcinogenic risk. Depending on these factors, papillomas have their own special names. What are papillomas and why do they appear?
What are papillomas?
"Tumor in the form of a papilla", this is how the term papilloma is translated from Latin. These growths on the skin appear due to the HPV virus. Every papilloma is a benign tumor, but depending on the strain (type) of the papillomavirus, they have a cancer-causing risk.
Varieties of papillomas according to carcinogenic risk:
- Low carcinogenic risk.
- High carcinogenic risk.
In the second group there are strains - 82, 73, 68, 59, 58, 56, 52, 51, 45, 39, 35, 33, 31, 18, 16. Growths on the skin can be completely different in color. The color composition of the papilloma can be from light to almost black. Sometimes an elongated papilloma grows on the body, other types of HPV are flat or reversely grown, resembling a cock's comb.
Only a doctor can determine the nature of the papillomavirus by performing the necessary tests:
- visual examination of the patient;
- take a test to identify the strain of the virus.
The virus enters the body under favorable conditions for it. You must be in contact with virus carriers or contaminated objects and your immunity must be weakened.
Normally, HPV is easily blocked by the immune system, there are several reasons why it fails:
- long-term medication;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- drug use;
- excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes.
Any kind of disease requires timely treatment. Papillomas on the body have an unpleasant property of growing and sometimes mutating into a cancerous disease. A visit to the doctor is a necessary preventive measure.
Simple papillomas (vulgar)
This is the most common type of papillomas on the body. People call them warts, they appear gradually. First, a small tubercle grows on the skin. It gradually increases in diameter and changes color from pale flesh to a more saturated brown. The structure of the vulgar papilloma also changes, it becomes hard, keratinization appears.
Vulgar papillomas are more often located on:
- palm;
- finger;
- skin between fingers
- knee;
- sometimes appear on the face, back, neck
Such tumors can occur in groups. First, a "mother papilloma" appears, after which a daughter growth develops.
Children and teenagers are especially vulnerable to this type of HPV. Vulgar papillomas are usually benign in nature, they do not degenerate into cancerous formations. Strains 75-77, 26-29, 41, 38, 49, 57, 65 are responsible for the appearance of such tumors.
Simple types of viruses on the body include plantar warts. The name refers to the place where they appear. The outgrowth on the sole grows on its own, it can be identified by the characteristic protruding edge. Usually it does not cause discomfort, but sometimes it can interfere with walking. In order not to confuse a corn with a plantar wart, remember that a corn has a smooth and even surface on which the skin pattern appears. Plantar warts are caused by strains 1-4.
Both of them are easily removed in a doctor's office. But do not rush to the doctor, such a growth can disappear by itself.
Flat papillomas
This growth is immediately different from other skin tumors.
It rises a little above the skin, if you look carefully you can see that its surface, which seems dense, seems to consist of small nodules. A flat wart does not have a predetermined shape; it can have jagged edges or, on the contrary, rounded.
Flat papilloma does not have a keratinization process (death and keratinization of skin cells), therefore it does not have skin grooves that are characteristic of other types of papillomas.
The color of such a structure is usually light, sometimes it darkens and becomes brown. Flat papilloma cannot be dark brown.
Locations:
- tibia;
- hands;
- again;
- on the face appear on the cheeks, around the eyes and on the chin.
Flat tumors are immediately noticeable to outsiders (if they are in open places). In addition to visual ugliness, they cause physical discomfort in the form of itching. When you try to scratch them, they start to "burn".
Such formations should be shown to a dermatologist. You are unlikely to prescribe the right treatment for yourself. The doctor must examine you, make a diagnosis and, taking into account all physical characteristics, prescribe a treatment. It is easier to eliminate such growths immediately after they appear. Old growth must be removed with the operative method. Flat papillomas are caused by virus types 49, 28, 10.
pointed papillomas (warts)
They have a characteristic appearance, which allows them not to be confused with other types of papillomavirus. Outwardly, such a papilloma can be compared to "cauliflower" or "rooster's comb". Condylomas attach to the skin and grow on a short stalk. They are solitary and form large groups. Such tumors of HPV in women can reach a large size.
The color of the growths varies depending on where they appear. Condyloma can be white, fleshy, pale pink and have a color from light red to reddish brown. Sometimes such growths secrete a liquid with a pungent smell.
Genital warts are often injured due to their specific location.
Main location of genital warts:
- Genital organs.
- rectal area.
- Hook.
- Urethra.
- Vagina and cervix in women.
Such human papillomaviruses are only sexually transmitted. Its evolution raises the virus 69, 55, 54, 51, 44, 42, 6, 1
If left untreated, a precancerous condition can develop. The virus accumulates in tissues near the growth and changes the DNA composition of the epithelium and mucosa, causing penile cancer in men and cervical cancer in women. Genital warts must be removed.
Filiform papillomas
They are also called acrochords. They mostly grow singly, but groups of acrochords are also found. If it is accidentally torn off, a new process grows back in its place, moreover, the growth can wander around the body and grow. They do not cause pain.
There is an aesthetic rejection of the accumulation, especially if the papilloma has grown on the face. Color ranging from flesh to brown. The acrochord is elongated and elastic, sometimes there are keratinized papillomas.
Favorite places to look on areas of the body with sensitive skin:
- face (eyelid area, nose);
- inguinal folds;
- on the neck;
- armpit;
- under the breast (in a woman).
If acrochord appears on the face, scrubs and brushes should not be used so as not to harm it. Underarm growths are often injured by razors.
It is better to visit a doctor and remove the tumor at the clinic to avoid infection and degeneration of the disease into cancer. The latter rarely occurs with filiform papillomas.
The viruses that cause this type of HPV are strains 2 and 7. Acrochords are more common in older people because the skin loses elasticity over time.
Sometimes the disease affects children and teenagers.
These are the most common types of HPV. According to the information about the types of viruses, you can independently establish a preliminary diagnosis. For a more accurate diagnosis, a medical examination is required.
In addition to these types of HPV, other types of papillomas also occur. For example, papillomatosis in the larynx, choroid papilloma (grows in the brain), papillomatosis in the stomach is called papillitis in the stomach. Internal papillomas are the most dangerous, sometimes the patient goes to the doctor with an advanced stage of HPV. You can die from internal tumors. For example, a growth in the larynx interferes with the breathing process and can cause suffocation. Any HPV infection requires immediate medical attention.