Papilloma of the armpit is a common problem in patients of all sexes and ages. The disease often affects adolescents and sometimes children. Its causes and treatment are closely linked, as it is possible to get rid of growths after the predisposing factor has been removed.
What is a papilloma
Papillomas are benign neoplasms that appear on the skin and cause unpleasant symptoms. They can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are rarely separate and often affect a specific area of skin.The appearance of regular growths in large numbers in medicine is called papillomatosis.
Types of papillomas under the armpits
Armpit papillomas, the causes and treatment of which vary according to type, fall into several classifications. A distinction is made between endophytic and exophytic formations based on the specifics of tumor growth. The first grows in the skin, forming only a small elevation on the skin.
The latter germinate above the surface of the skin, have different shapes, sizes, significantly complicate human life. Doctors also distinguish between several types of growth depending on the shape.
The most common are:
- Flatusually rounded in shape, slightly above the skin, rarely causing discomfort to the patient. The patient only notices them when symptoms appear.
- Spikesare widespread, small in size, attached to the skin at the base, growing tapering to the tip. Neoplasms do not appear alone, more often in groups.
- Finger shapesresembles spikes in appearance, but has not one but two or three points. They appear in the same way as previous growths, causing serious discomfort.
- Simple or vulgar papillomasIt is the most common way. They look like a birthmark, have a rounded shape and rise slightly above skin level.
- Filiformsformations appear most often under the armpits. They are very thin and attached to the skin with a thin handle. Such deposits can be easily damaged or even torn off by carelessly moving or rubbing clothing.
In addition, experts identify tumors that are prone to malignancy and those that never develop into malignancy. Classification is conditional, the type is determined at the time of diagnosis.
Stages and grades of papillomas under the armpits
Underarm papillomas, the causes and treatment of which are similar to any type of disease, are not officially graded by experts. But doctors conditionally distinguish between the initial, advanced and progressive stages of papillomatosis. Flat formations grow slowly, they do not appear in any way in the initial stage.
As the condition progresses, the patient feels discomfort and notices an accumulation.In the advanced stage, the tumor provokes pain, may bleed, and other smaller papillomas develop nearby. Vulgar papillomas progress according to the same principle.
Pointed papillomas appear in several places in the armpits at once. At first, the patient does not feel pain. In addition, the number of growths is increasing. In the advanced stage, the size and number of formations increase rapidly, the patient dies, and infection joins.
Finger-shaped neoplasms develop in the same way as pointed ones, but they grow more slowly and are less likely to be injured.
In rare cases, an infection is added.Filamentous papillomas most often provoke complications. In the initial stage, one or two growths appear. In addition, their number is increasing. In the advanced stage, most of the skin under the armpits is covered with growths, they provoke pain, itching, are damaged by clothing and hygiene products when taking a shower.
Symptoms of papilloma under the armpits
In most cases, the initial and advanced stages of papillomatosis do not cause severe symptoms. The incubation period can last from several months to several years.
The main features in advanced cases will be:
- small accumulation of different shapes and sizes;
- the appearance of a similar neoplasm adjacent to it;
- slight dryness of the skin in the papilloma area;
- bleeding with accumulative damage;
- soreness when rubbing papillomas with clothes;
- inflammation of the skin around the formations;
- appearance of wounds or cracks.
In severe cases, an infection is caused by bacteria entering small wounds that form when the growth is damaged.
Causes of papillomas under the armpits
Papilloma armpits, which have almost always the same causes and treatments, are caused by the entry of human papillomavirus into the body. Today, experts know about 600 strains. More than 70% of the world's population is infected with the virus, but it is activated under certain conditions.
The main contributing factors will be:
- impairment of immunity due to chronic illness;
- regular excessive work, intense physical activity;
- unhealthy diet, lack of vitamins and minerals;
- chronic vitamin deficiency;
- frequent stress situations;
- long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
- take a course of chemotherapy.
Any of the factors can cause activation of the virus, the appearance of neoplasms. HPV is transmitted sexually through routine personal hygiene items. Children can become infected from their parents.
Diagnosis of papillomas under the armpits
In patients with symptoms of papillomatosis, it is recommended that a specialist be consulted for a diagnostic test. The first method of examination will be a skin examination at the site of growth. The doctor will examine the affected area, assess the condition of the papillomas and their possibility of turning into malignancies.
The next method will be a complete blood test.The patient's blood is taken from a vein or finger and examined by specialists in a laboratory. Based on the results of the analysis, the doctor determines the patient's general condition. Such diagnostics are performed in any educational institution and are usually performed free of charge.
Underarm papillomas can be diagnosed in different ways. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is one of the most important and efficient. Allows you to detect HPV in a patient's blood sample, determine the exact cause, and determine appropriate treatment.
The analysis is performed in large clinics.Some provincial clinics also perform PCR tests. Test - A screening test that allows rapid identification of different HPV strains is highly accurate.
The patient's blood is taken for testing, and then it is tested in special laboratories with reagents and equipment. Today, the method is considered to be the most effective and popular, it is performed in all countries of the world, more often in large clinics.
When to see a doctor
Papillomas in the armpits often do not cause tangible discomfort, but interfere with their appearance, so they must be removed. It is worth contacting a specialist if the patient has a psycho-emotional state and complexes appear.
Be sure to see a doctor if you have growth and bleeding problems, severe pain, signs of skin inflammation around the neoplasms.The type, size and shape of the papilloma do not matter.
A specialist visit is shown if HPV is detected during a polymerase chain reaction or screening study. Dermatologists and dermatovenerologists deal with papillomatosis problems. The patient is usually referred to a specialist unit. If there is evidence of malignancy, an oncologist is indicated.
Prevention of papillomas under the armpits
The patient is unable to completely rule out infection with the human papillomavirus, butcan be significantly reduced if the following recommendations are followed:
- Normalization of work and rest regimes will prevent excessive work and, as a result, a reduction in immunity. It is necessary to devote enough time to proper rest and try not to overload the body.
- Improving the quality of nutrition helps to reduce the possibility of developing vitamin deficiencies and weaken the body's defenses.
- Avoiding unprotected sex and having a regular partner also helps reduce the risk of HPV infection.
- Use of barrier contraceptive methods during sexual intercourse.
- Refusal to use other people's personal hygiene products. HPV persists for a long time in washcloths, towels and other personal items.
Each method reduces the risk of HPV infection to a minimum, but does not eliminate it. Today, there is no one hundred percent way to prevent the virus from entering the body.
Methods of treating papillomas under the armpits
Medications successfully eliminate armpit papillomas, the causes and treatment of which are in most cases related. In addition, specialists refer patients for growth removal procedures. Sometimes a patient is allowed to use alternative medicine prescriptions.
Drugs
Antivirals, vitamin complexes, ointments or gels for topical use are prescribed for the treatment of papillomatosis.
| Operation and efficiency | Treatment schedule and course |
| Immunostimulants and antivirals. This is due to the inosine pranobex content. Destroys HPV, stimulates the body's defenses. Very effective in any form and stage of the disease | The course of treatment lasts from 10 to 14 days, depending on the severity of the condition. You should take 2 tablets three times a day. It is best to do this after a meal. |
| Antiviral agent increases the body's defenses. It works because of the content of human interferon. Candles and ointments are most often used together to improve performance. The drug is effective at any stage of the disease | The course of treatment does not exceed 10 days. The suppositories are injected into the rectum 1 piece twice a day. The flowers are used to treat papillomas 3-4 times a day. Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub lightly |
| Highly effective antiviral agent. Rapidly inhibits HPV activity, accelerates the process of papilloma release. The tablets are usually prescribed in combination with an external form | The course of treatment is 5-10 days. The tablets should be taken 5 times a day, before or after a meal. The ointment or cream is applied to the affected areas up to 5 times a day |
| Immunostimulatory and antiviral drugs that act quickly, effectively even in advanced stages and severe skin lesions | The course of treatment is 10-14 days. It is necessary to take 2 tablets three times a day, preferably after a meal. |
| Multivitamin complex containing vitamins and minerals. Effective against weakened immunity, helps the body fight HPV | The duration of admission is 30 days. The daily dose is 1 tablet, it is worth taking with you |
| Effective antiviral drug with high efficiency. Helps suppress HPV activity in multiple applications and prevents new growths | The course consists of only 3 applications with a frequency of 48 hours. The candle is inserted into the rectum before going to bed. If that is not enough, 2 candles with a time interval of 72 hours will be introduced next week |
Any medicine should only be prescribed by a doctor after examination and determination of the severity of papillomatosis.
Traditional methods
Some traditional prescriptions are very effective in eliminating small neoplasms.
The most popular will be:
- Celandine juiceit is considered to be the most effective in the fight against growth. It is necessary to chop fresh grass, squeeze the juice. When using a cotton swab, apply it only to the papilloma, avoiding contact with healthy areas of skin. Repeat the procedure in the morning and evening. After a few days, the growth will turn black, after which it will disappear. The duration of treatment is individual for each.
- Garlic juice and baby cream- sludge removal mixture. It is necessary to squeeze the juice from several cloves of garlic, mixed with cream in a ratio of 1: 1. Store the resulting mass in the refrigerator. Apply the composition daily in the direction of the papilloma, cover with plaster and leave for 3 hours. It will take 7 to 14 days to remove a small formation.
- Natural apple cider vinegarwill help remove growths under the armpits. It is necessary to lubricate the formation with the product 3 to 5 times a day, avoiding contact with a healthy shell. Usually 10 days is enough to solve the problem, the papilloma will disappear on its own. The efficiency of the method is high.
Any of the methods will help prevent small forms of papillomas of different forms. They will not remove large neoplasms. The use of products if signs of growth or inflammation of the surrounding tissues is strictly prohibited.
Other methods
Some hardware methods help to remove even large growths in 1-3 procedures. The most popular method is laser burning. With the help of a special laser beam, the specialist acts on the papilloma, the tissue dies and the growth disappears after a few days.
To reduce sensitivity, an anesthetic is pre-injected into the affected area.If necessary, a second procedure is required if the papilloma was large.
Cryodestruction is an effective method of removing papillomas under the armpits.
Cryodestruction is a method of removing papillomas using extremely low temperature (-170-2000) liquid nitrogen.
The specialist treats the growth, the tissue dies, the neoplasm disappears. Manipulation causes discomfort, so pain relief is needed. Usually a second procedure is not necessary, one visit is enough. Such methods are very effective and minimize the risk of recurrence of skin growths.
Possible complications
In the absence of treatment, papillomas in the armpits are permanently damaged, and wounds and inflamed areas of the skin develop.Danger is the addition of an infection followed by a blood infection.The most common and severe complication is the transition from benign to malignant.
Therefore, treatment of papillomatosis is mandatory. Papilloma of the armpits is a dangerous and unpleasant disease that causes psychological and physical discomfort. The cause of the growth is HPV, and treatment should be aimed at suppressing it and strengthening the immune system.