Each strain of HPV causes its own types of papillomas. They differ in external form and place of appearance. There is a low or high oncogenic level. Papilloma is a consequence of the HPV virus. Sometimes skin neoplasms appear on a person's skin in completely different places with some common symptoms. They have one common name - papillomas. They differ from each other in form, structure, location on the body, degree of oncogenic danger. 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. Any papilloma is a benign tumor, however, depending on the strain (type) of the papilloma virus, they have an oncogenic risk.
The variety of papillomas depending on the oncogenic risk:
- Low oncogenic risk.
- High oncogenic risk.
The second group includes strains - 82, 73, 68, 59, 58, 56, 52, 51, 45, 39, 35, 33, 31, 18, 16. Growths on the skin can be completely different colors. The color scheme 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, on the contrary, overgrown, resembling a cock's comb.
Only a doctor can determine the nature of the papilloma virus by performing the necessary diagnostics:
- visual examination of the patient;
- perform tests to determine the strain of the virus.
The virus enters the body under favorable conditions. You must come into contact with a carrier of the virus or contaminated objects, and your immunity must be weakened.
Normally, HPV is easily blocked by the immune system, and there are several reasons why it fails:
- long-term medication;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- drug use;
- excessive use of alcohol and cigarettes.
Any type of disease requires timely treatment. Papillomas on the body are an unpleasant feature to grow and sometimes turn into an oncological disease. A visit to the doctor is a necessary preventive measure.
Simple papillomas (vulgar)
This is the most common type of papilloma on the body. People call them warts, they appear gradually. First, a small tubercle grows on the skin. Gradually, its diameter increases and changes color from pale flesh to rich brownish. The structure of vulgar papilloma also changes, it becomes hard, keratinization appears.
Vulgar papillomas are more often located on:
- palms;
- fingers;
- skin between toes
- knees;
- sometimes formed on the face, back, neck
Such neoplasms can occur in groups. The "maternal papilloma" appears first, and then daughter growths are formed.
Children and teenagers are particularly susceptible to this type of HPV. Vulgar papillomas are usually benign in nature, they do not degenerate into oncological formations. 75-77, 26-29, 41, 38, 49, 57, 65 strains are responsible for the appearance of such neoplasms.
Simple types of viruses on the body include plantar warts. The name refers to the place of their appearance. The growth on the sole grows separately, it can be recognized by the characteristic protruding edge. Usually it does not cause inconvenience, 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 and others are easy to remove in a medical clinic. But do not rush to the doctor, such growths can disappear on their own.
Flat papillomas
This growth is immediately different from other skin growths.
It rises only slightly above the skin, if you look closely you can see that its surface, which appears dense, appears to be composed 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), so it does not have skin grooves characteristic of other types of papilloma.
The color of such an accumulation is usually light, sometimes it darkens and becomes brown. Flat papilloma cannot be dark brown.
Locations:
- lower legs;
- hands;
- the back;
- on the face appear on the cheeks, around the eyes and on the chin.
Flat neoplasms are immediately visible 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. It is unlikely that you will prescribe the right treatment for yourself. The doctor must examine you, make a diagnosis and, taking into account all the physical characteristics, determine the treatment. Such growths are easier to eliminate immediately after their appearance. The old growths will have to be surgically removed. Flat papillomas are caused by virus types 49, 28, 10.
Pointed papillomas (warts)
They have a characteristic appearance that allows them not to be confused with other types of papilloma virus. Outwardly, such a papilloma can be compared to "cauliflower" or "rooster's comb". Condylomas are attached to the skin and grow on a short stalk. They are solitary and grow in large groups. Such a neoplasm of HPV can reach a large size in women.
The color of the growths changes depending on where they appear. Condyloma can be white, soft, light pink, and its color can range from pale red to reddish brown. Sometimes such growths secrete a liquid with an unpleasant smell.
Genital warts are often injured due to their specific location.
The main localization of genital warts:
- Genital organs.
- Anal area.
- Crotch.
- Urethral canal.
- Vagina and cervix in women.
Such a human papilloma virus is transmitted only sexually. Its development provokes a virus 69, 55, 54, 51, 44, 42, 6, 1
If left untreated, a pre-cancerous condition can develop. The virus accumulates in tissues near the growth and changes the DNA composition of the epithelium and mucous membranes, which provokes penile oncology in men and cervical cancer in women. Genital warts should be removed.
Filiform papillomas
They are also called acrochords. They grow mainly singly, but groups of acrochords are also found. If it is accidentally pulled off, a new growth will appear in its place, and the growth can wander around the body as it grows. They do not cause pain.
There is more aesthetic rejection of accumulation, especially if the papilloma has grown on the face. Color range from flesh tone to brown. The acrochord is elongated and flexible, sometimes there are keratinized papillomas.
Favorite places where areas of the body with tender skin appear:
- face (eyelid area, nose);
- groin folds;
- on the neck;
- armpits;
- under the breast (of a woman).
If acrochord appears on the face, you should not use scrubs and brushes so as not to injure it. Underarm growths are often traumatized by razors.
It is better to visit a doctor and remove the neoplasm in the clinic to avoid infection and degeneration of the disease into oncology. The latter rarely occurs with filiform papillomas.
The viruses that cause this type of HPV are strains 2 and 7. Acrochordas are more common in the elderly because the skin loses its elasticity over time.
Sometimes the disease affects children and adolescents.
These are the most common forms of HPV. According to the information about the types of viruses, you can independently make a preliminary diagnosis. A medical examination is required to obtain a more accurate diagnosis.
In addition to these forms of HPV, other types of papillomas also occur. For example, laryngeal papillomatosis, choroidal papilloma (growing in the brain), papillomas in the stomach are called gastric papillitis. Internal papillomas are the most dangerous, sometimes the patient goes to the doctor with an advanced stage of HPV. You can die from internal neoplasms. For example, growths in the larynx interfere with the breathing process and can cause asphyxia. Any HPV disease requires immediate medical attention.