Each strain of HPV causes its own types of papillomas. They differ in the external form and the place of appearance. Have a low or high oncogenic level. Papilloma is a consequence of the HPV virus. Sometimes skin neoplasms appear on human skin in completely different places with some common symptoms. They have a common name - papillomas. They differ from each other in shape, structure, location in 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?
"A 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 neoplasm, however, depending on the strain (type) of the papilloma virus, they have an oncogenic risk.
Variety of papillomas according to 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 have a completely different color. 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, conversely, too large, resembling a rooster's comb.
Only a doctor can determine the nature of the papilloma virus by conducting the necessary diagnostics:
- visual examination of the patient;
- taking tests to identify the virus strain.
The virus enters the body under favorable conditions for it. You must be in contact with a virus carrier or contaminated objects and your immunity must be weakened.
Usually the immune system easily blocks HPV, 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 this disease requires timely treatment. Papillomas on the body have the unpleasant feature of growing and sometimes mutating into an oncological disease. Visiting a doctor is a necessary preventive measure.
Simple (vulgar) papillomas
This is the most common type of papillomas on the body. People call them warts, they appear gradually. First, a small tubercle grows on the skin. Gradually, it increases in diameter and changes color from pale flesh to a more saturated brown. The structure of the vulgar papilloma also changes, it hardens, keratinization appears.
Vulgar papillomas are most often located in:
- palms;
- fingers;
- skin between fingers
- knees;
- sometimes forms on the face, back, neck
Such neoplasms can occur in groups. First, a "mother papilloma" appears, and then daughter growths are formed.
Children and adolescents are especially susceptible to this type of HPV. Vulgar papillomas are usually benign in nature, they do not degenerate into oncological formations. Strains 75-77, 26-29, 41, 38, 49, 57, 65 are responsible for the appearance of said neoplasms.
Simple types of viruses in the body include plantar warts. The name refers to the place of its appearance. The outgrowth on the sole grows individually, it can be identified by the characteristic protruding edge. It usually does not cause discomfort, but can sometimes interfere with walking. In order not to confuse a callus with a plantar wart, remember that a callus has a smooth, even surface on which the skin pattern appears. Plantar warts are caused by strains 1-4.
Both those and others are easily removed in a medical clinic. But do not rush to the doctor, such growths can disappear on their own.
flat papillomas
This growth is immediately differentiated from other skin neoplasms.
It rises just a little above the skin, if you look closely you can see that its surface, which appears dense, seems to be made up of small nodules. A flat wart does not have a predetermined shape, it can have uneven edges or, conversely, rounded.
A flat papilloma does not have a keratinization process (death and keratinization of skin cells), therefore, it does not present characteristic skin folds of other types of papillomas.
The color of such buildup is usually light, sometimes it darkens and turns brown. Flat papilloma cannot be dark brown in color.
Locations:
- pimples;
- arms;
- back;
- on the face they appear on the cheeks, around the eyes and on the chin.
Flat neoplasms are immediately noticeable to strangers (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 the right treatment will be prescribed for you. The doctor must examine you, make a diagnosis and, taking into account all physical characteristics, prescribe treatment. Such growths are easier to remove immediately after they appear. Old growths will need to be removed by the operative method. Flat papillomas cause virus types 49, 28, 10.
Spiky papillomas (warts)
They have a characteristic appearance, which allows not to confuse them with other types of papillomaviruses. Outwardly, such a papilloma can be compared with "cauliflower" or "cock's comb". Warts adhere to the skin and grow on a short stalk. They are solitary and grow in large groups. Such an HPV neoplasm in women can reach a large size.
The color of the growths varies depending on the place of their appearance. The condyloma can be white, fleshy, pale pink, and have a color ranging from light red to maroon. Sometimes such growths secrete a fluid with a foul odor.
Genital warts are often injured due to the specific location.
The main localization of genital warts:
- sexual organs.
- Anal area.
- Crotch.
- Urethra.
- Vagina and cervix in women.
Such a human papillomavirus is transmitted only sexually. Its development causes the virus 69, 55, 54, 51, 44, 42, 6, 1
If left untreated, a pre-oncological condition may develop. The virus accumulates in tissues near the growth and changes the DNA composition of the epithelium and mucous membranes, causing penile oncology in men and cervical cancer in women. Genital warts must be removed.
filiform papillomas
They are also called acrochords. They grow mostly singly, but groups of acrochords are also found. If it is accidentally torn off, a new process will appear in its place again, moreover, the growth can wander around the body, growing. They do not transmit pain.
There is more aesthetic rejection of the accumulation, especially if the papilloma has grown on the face. Color range from flesh tone to brown. The acrochord is oblong and elastic, sometimes there are keratinized papillomas.
Favorite places of appearance of areas of the body with delicate skin:
- face (eyelid area, nose);
- inguinal folds;
- in the neck;
- armpits;
- under the breast (in a woman).
If the acrochord appears on the face, scrubs and brushes should not be used so as not to injure it. Armpit growths are often injured with razor blades.
It is better to visit a doctor and remove the neoplasm in the clinic in order to avoid infection and degeneration of the disease in oncology. The latter rarely occurs with filiform papillomas.
The viruses that cause this type of HPV are strains 2 and 7. Acrocordia is more common in older people because the skin loses its elasticity over time.
Sometimes the disease affects children and adolescents.
These are the most common forms of HPV. Based on the information about the types of viruses, you can independently establish a preliminary diagnosis. For a more accurate diagnosis, a medical examination is required.
In addition to these forms of HPV, other types of papillomas also occur. For example, papillomatosis of the larynx, papilloma of the choroid (grows in the brain), papillomas on the stomach are called papillitis of the stomach. Internal papillomas are the most dangerous, sometimes the patient comes 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 suffocation. Any HPV disease requires immediate medical attention.