Skin papilloma

Skin papillomas (syn. fibroepithelial polyp) are small benign formations, usually small, that appear as a result of infection with the papillomavirus. This virus is transmitted from one person to another, mainly when the body's immune defenses are weakened.

According to statistics, at least 90% of people are carriers of the papillomavirus, but the disease may not always manifest itself, but only under favorable circumstances for the virus.

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Causes of skin papillomas

The main causes of skin papillomas are related to the transmission of the virus from one person to another. The virus can be transmitted during sexual contact (in 60% of cases), or through damaged skin or mucous membranes in everyday life. The virus can be “picked up” by shaking hands, wearing someone else’s clothes, visiting beauty salons or clinics when using insufficiently processed instruments.

A child can become infected from his own mother during intrauterine development or during labor.

Due to certain characteristics, women most often become infected through sexual intercourse, while men become infected through contact with other people.

If the virus is in the body, this does not always mean illness. The carrier can live with the virus and not even suspect its existence. In order for the papillomavirus to manifest itself, one or more factors must be present:

• weakening of the body's defenses, frequent stress, anxiety, depressive states;
• chronic fatigue, physical overload;
• weakness of the immune system as a result of long-term infections or surgical operations;
• pregnancy and other radical changes in the hormonal background of the body.

If the immune system is strong enough, the disease may not develop at all, even if most of the listed factors are present.

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Pathomorphology of skin papilloma

Skin papilloma is a benign tumor histogenetically associated with the epidermis, can occur at any age, but more often in older people. It has the appearance of single or multiple, sometimes grouped exophytic growths, usually on a narrower base. with a smooth or villous surface, elastic consistency, up to 1 cm in size, less often more, of varying colors - from light brown to various shades of gray. It is localized mainly on the neck, in natural folds or on the trunk.

Interpapillary growths of multilayered flat epithelium are found with preservation of layer differentiation. Acantotic strands consist of highly differentiated epithelium with well-defined intercellular bridges. Sometimes the cells of the banal layer contain a lot of melanin, and the stratum corneum can be sharply thickened (keratopapilloma). In the thickness of the epidermal strands, foci of keratinization can be found, sometimes with the formation of horny cysts. The stroma of the formation is represented by connective tissue with a varying number of vessels.

Histogenetically, papilloma is the result of excessive development of the epidermis with the formation of papillary outgrowths, probably as a reaction of the epithelium to some stimuli, possibly of a viral nature. In this respect, papilloma may resemble a common wart, although the latter has more clearly expressed signs of viral damage in the form of multiple "koilocytes".

Symptoms of skin papillomas

The incubation period for HPV infection largely depends on the patient's overall health and, on average, is approximately three months. During this period of time, no signs of the disease are observed. Visible signs appear much later, when conditions suitable for the virus occur.

Papilloma is the same as a wart, which is a benign neoplasm of the epidermal skin layer. Papilloma can grow on its own or in a small group. The shade of the formation is often neutral: papilloma in most cases has the color of the skin and can be localized anywhere, including the outer surface of the limbs, interdigital spaces, eyelids, perilabial area, neck, etc.

The formation caused by the papillomavirus differs from other tumors in that after some time they can disappear on their own and then reappear. This course of the process is typical with sharp fluctuations in the patient's immune status.

What does a papilloma look like on the skin?

Papilloma is most often localized on exposed surfaces of the body, mainly on the outer areas of the hands and feet. Papilloma is a clearly defined nodule protruding above the skin, without signs of inflammation (redness, pain, swelling). The nodule is characterized by an uneven rough surface (sometimes with small papillae), covered with signs of hyperkeratosis. Nodular formations are quite dense, small, hemispherical in shape, the color is with the shade of the skin, or changing from yellow to gray.

Papillomas can be located multiple times, with the first tumor that appears being larger than those that appear later. Nodules are capable of merging, which leads to the formation of large, bumpy formations with clearly defined hyperkeratosis.

Papillomas can appear on the contours of the lips and even in the oral cavity or on the tongue. Papillomas do not cause any sensations (pain, itching), unless they are located in places where discomfort is inevitable - this is the tongue, the subungual part, etc.

Papilloma on the skin of the penis

A papilloma on the skin of the penis is formed mainly in the head and foreskin area. The formations can be separate, or there can be several or even dozens of them at the same time. The nodules are most often uneven in size and shape.

Papilloma rarely causes discomfort: most patients associate the growths only with a cosmetic defect.

However, the appearance of papillomas in the genital area poses a considerable danger to the patient's health. The location of the neoplasm on the penis contributes to frequent trauma to the papilloma - this can happen during sexual contact or even while taking a shower. An injured nodule is a godsend for pathogenic flora, because an additional fungal or microbial infection can penetrate through the wound.

Among other things, the papillomavirus, in combination with frequent trauma to the formation, can lead to malignancy - malignant degeneration of the tumor. For this reason, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor when a papilloma is first detected on the penis. During the examination, the doctor will be able to accurately indicate the benign nature of the nodular formation, as well as the possibility and necessity of its removal.

Papilloma on the scalp

A papilloma on the scalp is not immediately detected, as it is usually covered by hair. However, such a formation is more susceptible to trauma than others - when combing, cutting or washing the head.

A papilloma on the head can be congenital or appear later; the color is from pale cream to brown, it can be located on a stalk or on a wide base. As a result of external damage, the nodule can turn red, bleed, ulcers or swelling may appear.

You must not scratch, comb or rub the papilloma, because frequent trauma to the tumor can lead to its malignant degeneration. Therefore, the best solution is to remove the papilloma: visit a doctor and discuss this issue with him. There are many options for removing neoplasms on the scalp, and all of them are effective. We will discuss this issue below.

Papilloma on the skin of a child

A child can become infected with the papillomavirus in different ways:

• from the mother during pregnancy and labor;
• from family members if other carriers of the disease live nearby;
• if the rules of behavior and hygiene are not followed (if the child bites his nails, pulls out hangnails, scratches pimples and wounds, and does not wash his hands, or does so rarely).

According to observations, the congenital disease in most cases appears in the mouth or on the mucous membranes. If the baby is infected at home, then the papillomas are more often located on the hands, fingers, armpits, face or feet.

If a child has good immunity, he/she can be a carrier of the virus for a long time. The disease manifests itself only with a sharp decrease in immunity: after infectious diseases, prolonged use of medications, with pathology of the digestive system.

In order not to aggravate or provoke further development of papillomas, it is necessary to talk to the baby and explain some rules to him:

• the formed papilloma must not be damaged, as this will give impetus to the further spread of the virus;
• It is necessary to ensure that the area of the papilloma is not injured by clothing, otherwise the formation may increase;
• In the future, you should monitor the state of your immune defenses and also follow the rules of personal hygiene.

Types of papillomas on the skin

For successful diagnostics, it is necessary to know what types of skin papillomas exist. In fact, there are quite a lot of such types, at least a hundred, but we will briefly consider the most common of them:

• vulgar papilloma - usually in the form of a small cone-shaped formation, dense to the touch, 0.1 cm or more in size. The most common localization is the outer side of the hand or knees. The course of such a papilloma can be either long-term sluggish or rapidly aggressive;
• single papilloma - often appears unnoticed and does not bother the patient. If injured or if an attempt is made to remove it on your own, it can grow to large sizes;
• plantar - such a papilloma has a lot of similarity with a plantar wart, but has a glossy surface. With the development and spread of plantar nodules, they acquire the appearance of standard papillomas. They can be mixed with the mosaic form of papilloma;
• squamous cell papilloma of the skin - has the form of a smooth flattened nodule, resembling a sphere or polygon. The color does not differ from the normal skin tone. At a late stage of the disease, it can cause unpleasant sensations in the form of itching, pain, inflammation;
• filiform papilloma - occurs most often. At first, a small dense formation with a yellowish tint appears. As it develops, the formation tends to increase in size, it becomes rough to the touch and seems to be elongated in shape;
• Basal cell skin papilloma (keratopapilloma) - occurs more often in old people. It is a flat formation on the skin of a yellowish-brown hue, which over time changes color to dark (brown). The size of the formations is from 0.1 to 4 cm in diameter. The consistency is often dense, the shape is flat or slightly convex.

It contains melanin in its structure.

In addition, skin papillomas can differ and be classified depending on their shape, diameter, and etiology. But all of them are formed only on the surface of the skin, do not cause pain, and do not have blood vessels in their structure.

Diagnosis of papillomas on the skin

Skin papillomas are diagnosed by specialists such as dermatologists or venereologists. It is possible to establish a correct diagnosis based only on examination data only in the case of a classic course of the disease, which is most often impossible due to difficulties in identifying the virus and determining the degree of malignancy of the formation. For these reasons, doctors often use PCR methods for diagnosing the pathogen's DNA.

The PCR method helps to identify the presence of papillomavirus in a patient, to identify its type, and to estimate the amount of the virus in the patient's body. These data are necessary primarily to provide an approximate time of infection penetration into the body and to detect persons who are likely carriers of this virus.

In addition, the PCR method provides data on the course of the disease, which is also very important, because the treatment of a chronic or acute disease has its own characteristics. If the virus manifested itself as a result of a one-time drop in immune protection, then the doctor's actions should first of all be aimed at increasing immunity.

If the doctor prescribes surgical removal of the formation, then a biopsy with cytology is performed in combination with it: pieces of tumor tissue are examined for possible malignancy.

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Treatment of skin papillomas

There are many options for treating skin papillomas, and the best method is determined individually after the patient has undergone diagnostic procedures. If such procedures indicate the presence of the papillomavirus, but there are no visible signs of papillomas yet, then preventive cytostatic therapy may be prescribed. The purpose of such treatment is to slow down the development of the virus, which allows "postponing" the occurrence of papillomas for decades. People who are identified as carriers of the papillomavirus are recommended to undergo regular examinations and use condoms during sexual intercourse (to prevent the spread of infection).

Of the drugs with cytostatic action, the following are most often used:

• Podophyllin – damages the viral cell, creates obstacles to the reproduction of the virus, prevents the growth of papillomas;
• Bleomycin is an antitumor antibiotic that causes the division of DNA of the pathogenic cell, which prevents its further vital activity;
• Fluorouracil is an antimetabolite that changes the structure of RNA and inhibits the division of pathogenic tumor cells;
• Isoprinosine is an antiviral and immunostimulating drug. Increases the total number of T-lymphocytes, improves the combination of helper and suppressor cells in the blood. Inhibits the reproduction of viral cells, damaging the genetic data of viruses. Enhances the activity of macrophages.

In addition to cytostatics, it is recommended to use means for normalizing immune defense. The appointment of interferons, alloferons is welcomed. Epigen aerosol and Betadine liquid are used externally.

However, the most radical and effective way to combat papillomas is considered to be their removal.

Removal of skin papillomas

Removal of skin papillomas is carried out mainly using liquid nitrogen, laser, radio waves, or electrocoagulation. The method chosen by the doctor may depend on the size and type of the neoplasm.

The cryodestruction method is a method of freezing a tumor using liquid nitrogen. The low-temperature properties of nitrogen allow freezing all tissues and vessels near the neoplasm. As a result, the tumor becomes necrotic and can be separated from the skin surface. If the papilloma has deep roots, it may be necessary to undergo several cryodestruction sessions. The procedure itself is painless, but after it, at the healing stage, minor painful sensations may occur.

The electrocoagulation method is a method of exposure to a directed electric current. With the help of current, the specialist manages to cut off the blood supply to the tumor. Small vessels around the formation are coagulated, which makes it possible to stop the further spread of the virus. During the procedure, the papilloma can be completely separated, which facilitates its further histological examination.

Laser treatment is probably the most effective and painless. Most often, papillomas are removed in just one procedure. Under the influence of the laser, the papilloma cells dry up, and the tumor takes the form of a dry crust (scab). The scab falls off a couple of days after the procedure.

The radio wave surgery method is no less popular than laser treatment. Radio waves do not leave any scars, redness or swelling on the skin after their impact. The damaged area heals quickly enough, without the risk of infection penetrating the tissue. The only drawback of the method is its high cost.

Folk remedies for skin papillomas

Papillomas on the skin are a common ailment, and at the moment there are many methods known by which people try to fight the disease. An important point before using any folk methods is to increase the body's defenses: without this, even the most popular treatment may be ineffective. Therefore, take vitamins, eat fresh fruits, citrus fruits, drink freshly squeezed juices, walk in the fresh air, harden yourself, and folk methods will help you speed up your recovery.

• The use of celandine is a very common remedy for papilloma. The juice of a fresh plant is applied to the formation and sealed with a bactericidal plaster. This should be done daily until the papilloma disappears.
• Using garlic. Grind the garlic in a garlic press or grate it. For one part of crushed garlic, take two parts of any cream, you can use baby cream. Mix the product and apply to the problem area daily, covering with a bandage or bandage. Wash off the ointment after 3 hours with running water. The course of therapy is from 14 to 30 days.
• Grind green unripe nuts in a blender. The nut mass should be at least 2/3 of a glass liter container. Fill the jar to the top with pure kerosene and leave for 20 days in the refrigerator. After this time, filter the liquid into a dark glass bottle. Store in the refrigerator. Lubricate the papillomas twice a day until they disappear completely, as a rule, this takes about 20 days.
• For the next method, we will need potato sprouts, young spruce shoots and celandine. Fill a 1 liter jar 1/3 full with potato sprouts. Next, 1/3 of the jar is celandine grass. The remaining 1/3 is young spruce shoots. Fill the jar to the top with alcohol and let it sit for 2 weeks. Lubricate the formation with the infusion three times a day, that is, three times with an interval of 1-2 minutes.
• You can apply freshly cut Kalanchoe leaves to the papillomas, fix them with a plaster and leave them overnight. As a rule, 10 procedures may be needed for treatment.

Be careful when using folk remedies. Do not take the resulting solutions internally and do not allow them to come into contact with mucous membranes.

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Prevention of skin papillomas

Prevention of skin papillomas can also be used as additional measures during treatment of papillomavirus to prevent relapses.

• Get tested for the papilloma virus periodically.
• If you have untreated papilloma lesions, it is necessary to monitor their growth and changes in external forms.
• It is necessary to avoid casual sexual contact and always use barrier methods of protection.
• It is important to maintain your immunity, eat properly and nutritiously, and toughen up.

There is also a specific prevention of papillomavirus - this is vaccination (inoculation). One of them is the bivalent serum Cervarix, and the other is the quadrivalent serum Gardasil. Vaccination is carried out three times over six months.

Skin papillomas prognosis

The prognosis for papillomas can be favorable if you see a doctor in a timely manner. Old papillomas, which are often subject to trauma and damage, have a high risk of malignancy - malignancy of the process. If you have a papilloma, monitor its growth and development, notice any changes in its shape, color, size, quantity, etc. If there are any changes, immediately inform your doctor about it.

Strengthen your immunity: when your immune system is strong, the chances of the virus manifesting itself are extremely low. A strong immune system will help contain the virus for several years or more.

If skin papillomas do not cause you discomfort, then it is not necessary to remove them at all. However, before deciding on treatment or inaction regarding the tumor, be sure to consult a doctor.