Papillomas and condylomas are small growths on the skin that are viral in nature. You must be able to distinguish between them in order to detect potentially dangerous formations in a timely manner and take the necessary measures. The main thing that distinguishes papilloma from condyloma is the type of virus-pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than 100 different strains. HPV enters the body through household contact or through unprotected intercourse. It is possible for the child to become infected from the mother as it passes through the birth canal.
The formation of growths indicates the rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. This occurs under the influence of a virus, the activation of which in most cases is associated with a decrease in immune defenses. Depending on the strain, papillomas or condylomas appear on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas.
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that does not cause discomfort, except for cosmetic reasons. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- smooth and homogeneous structure;
- the presence of a leg;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are located anywhere on the body, except on the mucous membranes of the genitals. As a general rule, the color of the growth varies from a natural skin tone to pinkish-red tones, however, highly pigmented papillomas are also not a pathology. Hair growth on the body of a papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not interfere with the patient and are not accidentally injured in everyday life. The formation of growths of this type is due to the action of virus strains 2, 7 and 28. You can become infected with these types of HPV in everyday life and during sexual intercourse.
Characteristics of genital warts.
Warts are of two types: spikey and wide growths. The first type appears with HPV infection, and broad growths are one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The localization sites of genital warts are the mucous membranes, mainly in the urogenital area, as well as the skin folds that are subject to rubbing against clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stem, the growths feed through small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, condylomas are often inflamed, the growth body may be ulcerated.
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 relationship between these types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. The infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easy to notice in the photo: papillomas are homogeneous, while condylomas have a finely papillary structure.
- The difference between papilloma and warts lies in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be highly pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and does not differ from that of the mucous membranes.
- HPV, which causes the development of papillomas, is transmitted by household contact, using personal hygiene products, and even by shaking hands (in the presence of skin microtrauma). Warts are only transmitted sexually.
- The warts become inflamed. Papillomas can grow in size, acquire signs of inflammation and pain, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- The shape of papillomas is predominantly a round or oval "head" located on a soft stem. Condylomata have irregular contours, they can be arranged in groups. For genital warts, the narrowing from the stem to the end is characteristic, allowing them to be distinguished from papillomas.
- The appearance of growths of different types is due to 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 condylomas are conventionally considered safe neoplasms on the skin, but the risk of degeneration of benign cells into malignant cells is higher in the latter case.
Condylomas are cutaneous manifestations of the action of oncogenic types of the virus. Years of research have identified a link between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis with further removal of genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer in women.
The growths can be located not only on the skin and external genitalia, but also in the vagina and on the cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, the condyloma receives enough nutrition and can grow rapidly. In gynecology, there are cases when condylomas located on the wall of the vagina grew up to 10 cm in diameter.
Removal indications
Warts must be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is mainly due to the risk of infection from the sexual partner.
Eliminate papillomas located on the skin, or not, is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of degeneration of benign papillomas in an oncological neoplasm increases when the growth body is damaged. This may be due to rubbing against clothing, accidental damage to nails or a washcloth during hygiene procedures.
You should see a dermatologist if:
- the papilloma has increased considerably in size;
- when pressed, discomfort is felt;
- 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 timely diagnosis will allow timely detection of the onset of cell degeneration and will stop the development of oncology.
How are accumulations removed?
Any skin growth must be professionally removed. Self-cauterization of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removal of genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.
Before the procedure, it is necessary to carry out a series of examinations. First, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the neoplasms to appear.
With multiple condylomas, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and adjust the immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, ointments with an immunostimulant in the composition (for example, interferon-based drugs) help. Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allows you to successfully fight against growths on the walls of the vagina.
Methods to remove accumulations:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- removal with a radio knife;
- scalpel excision.
When genital warts are removed, the tissues obtained as a result of the procedure are sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgical excision or laser extraction is indicated.
Electrocoagulation is a cauterization of neoplasms. The method has worked well to remove small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms on the skin, but not on the mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth, which causes cell necrosis, as a result, the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave removal or the radio scalpel is an effective and almost painless method of removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, the cells of the neoplasm are destroyed. The procedure is done under local anesthesia.
Laser depletion of genital warts is indicated in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantages of the method are the cauterization of the vessels and capillaries that feed the formation. As a result of exposure, no traces remain on the skin, the risk of bleeding is excluded. Complete restoration of the epidermis after removal occurs within 5-7 days.
To remove genital warts, folk remedies are not used due to the high risk of damage to the mucous membranes from aggressive components of the composition. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
To find out how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor if formations appear on the genitals and do not try to remove them yourself.