Papillomas and warts are small growths on the skin of a viral nature. You need to be able to distinguish between them in order to spot potentially dangerous formations in time and take the necessary precautions. The main thing that distinguishes papilloma from condyloma is the type of virus-pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than a hundred different types. HPV enters the body through domestic contact or through unprotected intercourse. Child It is possible for the baby to be infected by the mother while passing 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 accompanied by a decrease in immune defense. Depending on the type, papillomas or warts appear on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that causes no discomfort other than aesthetics. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- smooth homogeneous structure;
- the presence of a foot;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are located on any part of the body except the mucous membranes of the genitals. As a rule, the color of the growth varies from a natural skin tone to pink-red shades, 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 damaged in daily 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 daily life and during sexual intercourse.
Characteristics of genital warts
Warts are of two types - pronounced and extensive growths. The first type appears with HPV infection, and extensive growths are one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The sites of localization of genital warts are mucous membranes, mainly of the urogenital area, as well as skin folds that are subject to rubbing against clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stalk, the growths are nourished through small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, warts are often inflamed, growth ulceration of the body is possible.
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 link between these types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easy to notice in the picture - papillomas are homogeneous, while warts have a fine papillary structure.
- The difference between papilloma and warts lies in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be very pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membranes.
- HPV, which provokes the development of papillomas, is transmitted by contact with the home, using personal hygiene products, and even through a handshake (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts are transmitted only sexually.
- Warts become inflamed. Papillomas can grow in size, take on signs of inflammation and hurt, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- The shape of papillomas is mainly a round or oval "head" located on a soft stalk. Warts have irregular outlines, can be arranged in groups. For genital warts, narrowing from the stalk to the bottom is characteristic, which makes it possible to distinguish them 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 - the growths on the genitals and mucosa must be removed.
Why are increases dangerous?
Papillomas and warts are conventionally considered safe neoplasms of the skin, but the risk of benign cell degeneration into malignant cells is higher in the latter case.
Warts are skin manifestations of the action of oncogenic strains 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.
Growths can be located not only on the skin and external genitalia, but also in the vagina and cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, the condyloma receives sufficient nourishment and can grow rapidly. In gynecology, there are cases when warts located in the wall of the vagina grew up to 10 cm in diameter.
Indications for removal
Warts should be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is mainly due to the risk of infecting the sexual partner.
To remove 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 growing body is damaged. This can be caused by rubbing clothing, accidental damage from nails or a washing cloth during hygiene procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- the papilloma has greatly increased in size;
- when pressed, discomfort is felt;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is observed;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
Removing the collection is a matter of five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. Importers It is important to understand that timely diagnosis will allow early detection of the onset of cell degeneration and stop the development of oncology.
How are constructions removed?
Any skin growth should be removed by a professional. Self-cauterization of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removing genital warts at home is strictly forbidden.
Before the procedure, it is necessary to perform a series of examinations. First of all, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the neoplasms to appear.
With multiple condyloma, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and regulate the immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, ointments with an immunostimulant in the composition (for example, interferon-based medicines) 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 for removing clumps:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- removal with a radio knife;
- scalpel removal.
When the genital warts are removed, the tissues obtained as a result of the procedure are sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgical removal or laser removal is indicated.
Electrocoagulation is a cauterization of neoplasms. The method has worked well for removing small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms in the skin but not in the mucosa. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth, which causes cell necrosis, as a result, the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave removal or radio knife is an effective and almost painless method for removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, neoplasm cells are destroyed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser burning 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 ruled out. 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 by aggressive components of the composition. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
To understand how warts differ from papillomas, a photograph will help. It is recommended that you consult your doctor if formations appear on the genitals, and do not try to remove them yourself.