Papillomas and warts are small growths on the skin of a viral nature. You need to be able to distinguish between them in order to spot potentially dangerous formations in good time and take the necessary action. The main difference between papilloma and warts is the type of viral pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
There are more than a hundred different strains of human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV enters the body through contact with the household or through unprotected sex. The baby can be infected from the mother by passing through the birth canal.
The formation of growths indicates the rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. This is due to a virus, the activation of which is in most cases associated with a decrease in immune protection. Depending on the strain, papillomas or warts appear on the body.
Characteristics of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign tumor that does not cause any discomfort other than aesthetic. Characteristics of papillomas:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- presence of a leg;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are localized in any part of the body except the genital mucosa. Usually the growth color varies from natural skin tone to pinkish red tones, however, highly pigmented papillomas are not a pathology either. Hair growth on the papilloma body is the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not disturb the patient and are not accidentally injured in daily life. The growth of this type of growth is associated with the activity of virus strains 2, 7 and 28. You can become infected with this type of HPV in your daily life and during sexual intercourse.
Features of genital warts
There are two types of warts - pointed growths and broad. The first type appears with HPV infection, and extensive growth is one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The sites of genital warts are the mucous membranes, mainly the genitourinary areas, as well as skin folds that are subject to friction against clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stem, the growths are fed through small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papilloma warts, which are often inflamed, growth ulcers 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 types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. The infection occurs during sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easy to see in the photo - the papillomas are homogeneous, while the warts have a fine papillary structure.
- The difference between papilloma and warts is the color of growth. Papillomas can be highly pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membrane.
- HPV, which provokes the development of papillomas, is transmitted by contact with the household using personal care products and even by handshake (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts are only transmitted sexually.
- The warts become inflamed. Papillomas can grow, show signs of inflammation and injury, but only as a result of traumatic exposure.
- The shape of the papillomas is usually a round or oval "head" located on a soft stem. Warts have irregular contours, they can be arranged in clusters. Genital warts are characterized by narrowing from the stem to the tip, which allows them to be distinguished from papillomas.
- The appearance of different types of growths is associated with different strains of the virus.
It is important to remember the main difference between papilloma and warts - growths on the genitals and mucous membranes must be removed.
Why are growths dangerous?
Papillomas and warts are generally considered to be safe neoplasms of the skin, but in the latter case the risk of benign cell degeneration in malignant cells is higher.
Warts are manifestations of the action of cutaneous oncogenic viruses. Years of research have revealed a link between HPV and cervical cancer. Early diagnosis with further removal of genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of cancer in women.
The growths can be found not only on the skin and external genitals, but also on the vagina and cervix. Due to the peculiarities of the genital circulation, warts receive enough nutrition and can grow rapidly. In gynecology, there are cases when the warts located on the vaginal wall rose to 10 cm in diameter.
Indications for removal
Warts should be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is mainly due to the risk of the sexual partner becoming infected.
To remove papillomas located on the skin or not, it is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of benign papilloma degeneration in oncological neoplasms increases if the growth body is damaged. This can be caused by rubbing against clothing, accidental damage from nails or washcloths during hygiene procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- the size of the papilloma has increased significantly;
- feeling of discomfort when pressing;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is noted;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
Removing the build-up is a matter of five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that early diagnosis will allow early detection of the onset of cell degeneration and halt the development of oncology.
How are savings removed?
Any skin growth should be removed by a professional. Self-treatment of papillomas by folk remedies is not always effective. Removal of genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.
A series of exams must be taken before the procedure. First, the patient's blood is tested to determine the type of virus that caused the neoplasm to appear.
Patients with multiple warts are prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This stops the virus from spreading and sets the immune system to fight HPV. Ointments with immunostimulants (such as interferon-based drugs) help to get rid of genital warts. Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allows you to successfully fight growths on the walls of the vagina.
Ways to remove the buildup:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- removal with a radio knife;
- scalpel cutting.
Once the genital warts are removed, the resulting tissue is sent for histological analysis. Surgical excision or laser removal is indicated for this purpose.
Electrocoagulation is the cauterization of neoplasms. The method has worked well for removing small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms on the skin but not on the mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is used for growth, which causes cell necrosis, as a result of which the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave removal or a radio knife is an effective and almost painless method for removing genital warts. Radio waves destroy neoplasmic cells. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser burnout of genital warts is indicated in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantages of the method are the cauterization of the formation of feeding vessels and capillaries. Exposure to the skin does not leave traces, the risk of bleeding is excluded. Complete restoration of the epidermis after removal takes 5-7 days.
Folk remedies are not used to remove genital warts because of the high risk of mucosal damage caused by aggressive ingredients. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
A photo will help you find out how warts differ from papillomas. It is advisable to consult a doctor if formations appear on the genitals, rather than trying to remove them yourself.