Papillomas on the body

Papillomas on the body are benign formations of an infectious nature. Mostly 16 and 18 strains have a tendency to degenerate into malignant forms (more than 100 species in total are known). Wart and papilloma are synonymous terms.

Characteristics of the disease:

1. It occurs in people of any age, mainly in women (the number of cases detected is 1. 5 times higher than in men).
2. Infection occurs by domestic or sexual contact. It remains unnoticed for a long time, as the virus does not have a strong effect on the immune system. Moreover, after introduction into the genome, only the viral DNA remains, and not the virus itself (it is almost impossible to remove).
3. There are a number of vaccines designed to reduce infections and reduce susceptibility to the viral agent.
4. Immunity after a type-specific, non-cross, non-stressed, low type-specific infection has formed, which means the possibility of reinfection.

Causes

The main reason for the appearance of papilloma on the body is the human papillomavirus (HPV, papillomavirus). It belongs to viruses containing DNA, which explains its ability to integrate into the human genome and modify its structure. The virus enters the bloodstream through micro-damage and is deposited on the basal layer of the epidermis. Division occurs only at the level of the germ layer, in the rest it is possible to detect the virus, but at these levels there is no division.

There are several clinical forms of the disease:

• manifest - primary infection with a virus in people with reduced immunity;
• subclinical - a form in which manifestations of this pathology periodically occur, followed by long-term relapses;
• latent - a form associated with the direct integration of the virus into the genome (transport).

Factors predisposing to the development of neoplasms:

1. Damage to the skin. The virus is unable to enter the bloodstream without at least minimal damage to the skin, which serves as the gateway to infection.
2. Reduced immunity. HPV can be attributed to conditionally pathogenic viruses, which makes it dangerous for humans in case of suppression of a normal cellular or humoral immune response.
3. Failure to comply with hygiene rules when visiting public places. The virus is contagious and infection can occur even at low concentrations in the environment.
4. Violation of the normal diet, constant stress and lack of adequate rest lead to the suppression of the immune system, the body becomes vulnerable to the action of the pathogen.
5. Frequent inflammatory and infectious diseases lead to depletion of the immune system (this is especially important for people who are often ill).
6. Human papillomavirus can also be transmitted from mother to baby at birth (vertical transmission).

External manifestations

External manifestations of papillomas in the photo have the following features:

1. Multiple formations that protrude above the surface of the skin. They can take the form of a classic wart (a flat lesion on a broad stem) or have a thin stem and hang over the skin like a cockscomb.
2. The color rarely differs from the surrounding tissues. The exception is cases of germination of the formation in the superficial vascular network, in which case it acquires a reddish tinge. A quick change of color signals a possible rebirth (differentiation with moles is also carried out).
3. The outline is generally uniform and clear. The exceptions are formations which have degenerated into a tumor.
4. The surface is often smooth and somewhat shiny. In the case of localization in the region of the upper eyelids, neck, armpits, the surface is often irregular with pointed elevations such as cauliflower.
5. The diameter varies from small foci of a few millimeters to 1-2 cm. On the same part of the human body, formations of different caliber can be present. If the papilloma grows too fast, a doctor's consultation is required.

How to get rid of papillomas

Treatment of papillomas on the body occurs according to a single scheme, regardless of the exact localization (for each specific type there is an option or an optimal combination):

1. Destructive methods (physical and chemical).
2. Combined techniques (simultaneous action of local drugs and destructive treatment options).

It is allowed to treat papillomas with cytotoxic and immunological preparations only in the condition of a total process (papillomatosis, that is, a very large number of papillomas on the body). In cases with single formations, such therapy is not carried out due to the large number of side effects and cross-reactions in the drugs of these groups.

Methods of destruction

The destructive treatment options are the same for all types of skin lesions caused by HPV. They are divided into physical and chemical.

Methods of physical destruction:

Method	Description
Electrocoagulation	The formation is cut in layers from healthy skin (a rather deep defect may form, which will heal for a long time). In conditions of deep injury, it is performed under local anesthesia with a solution of lidocaine (2%). A needle electrode is used for this.
cryodestruction	Usually liquid nitrogen, nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide is used. The exposure time is selected taking into account the location and extent of the lesion. Often more sessions are needed with a frequency of 7-10 days.
Laser destruction	Layer-by-layer removal of a skin neoplasm using a concentrated light beam of a certain wave. On average, exposure can last from 5 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on the extent of the injury. As a result, a crust appears at the site of the lesion. Thereafter, dressings are required until the wound heals. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Radiosurgical destruction	The formation is destroyed by the action of an electromagnetic wave in the range from 100 kHz to 105 MHz. In this case, the tissues are heated and local necrosis occurs (suitable for removing small foci).

Folk remedies

At home, it is allowed to eliminate growth with traditional medicine, but it should be borne in mind that their effectiveness is low. Also, before starting such treatment, consultation with a specialist is necessary to differentiate papillomas from a number of other skin diseases with similar manifestations.

Means	Recipe
Celandine juice	Crush the stem of the plant with the fresh juice obtained, clean the affected area 3-5 times a day for 10 days.
potato juice	Grate raw potatoes until gruel, then squeeze and wipe the formation with the resulting juice 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 4-5 weeks.
onion juice	Finely chop 1 onion, press lightly until juice appears. Apply the resulting slurry on the fire for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a day. The treatment must be carried out for 3 weeks.
Calendula	Crush several flowers in a mortar, apply the resulting mixture to the affected area and set for 30 minutes. Repeat the procedure in the morning and in the evening for 21 days.