If such a growth appears on the skin of a person, then it begs the question of what kind of changes have occurred in the body and are they not dangerous? Read on for helpful information on the characteristics of the different types of papillomas. This information will help you recognize the presence of such formations in order to deal with them promptly if necessary.
Varieties of papillomas
Why do these processes often appear on the skin with age? These changes in the skin are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV for short. After infection with such a pathogen, the patient develops a papillomatosis disease, during which warts of various shapes appear on the skin or mucous membranes. These growths are benign, but some types of papillomas have a high risk of being reborn as a malignant tumor. For this reason, you should definitely visit a doctor if you notice such changes on your skin!
Medicine knows more than 40 varieties of papillomaviruses, which cause various forms of disease in humans. The type of virus that has entered the body depends on the appearance of the papilloma, because the infection manifests itself externally with different types of formations on the integument of the body. According to the general classification, the following types of growths are distinguished.
- Simple, which are also called vulgar - keratinized growths of dark color.
- Plantar: affects the soles of the feet.
- Acrochords are filiform formations, the body of which rests on one leg.
- Common flat formations or warts - often occur in adolescents in the area of the hands, fingers, face.
- Pointed - localized on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genitals or anus.
- Squamous cells - consist of squamous epithelium, which has grown due to the effects of the virus, and the stroma (the base of connective tissue and blood vessels).
- Basal cells: They grow from cells in the basal layer of the epidermis or from hair follicles.
- Internal: they do not arise in the area of the external visible parts of the body, but where they are difficult to notice, for example in the larynx or bladder.
pointed
Such growths are often called warts. Their characteristics are small size and special shape - a wide base and a sharp tip. These warts are flesh-colored or slightly pink and appear singly or in clusters. They are distinguished by rapid growth: in a few days, where there was only one growth, a whole group of them is formed. In shape, this family resembles a cauliflower inflorescence. Genital warts are often found on the mucous membranes: in the mouth, on the tongue, as well as in the genital area or near the anus.
scaly
This form of skin growth caused by the HPV virus is one of the most common, because it can have a very large localization throughout the body. What does a papilloma of this type look like? These are flat formations of a round or oval shape, slightly protruding above the surface of the skin - no more than 1 mm, they can be both soft and with signs of keratinization. Often they appear in groups, in color they practically do not differ from the surrounding cover.
Such growths occur mainly in the upper body: in the face (for example, on the nose or lips), on the neck. They often appear on the mucous membranes: inside the mouth, on the cheeks or on the tongue. Squamous cell tumors can be diagnosed in the esophagus, larynx, as well as organs of the genitourinary system and even the rectum. People who have such formations are advised to remove them due to the high risk of degeneration into a malignant form.
basal cell
These growths are often called basaliomas or senile warts because they often affect the skin of older people. These formations slowly grow from the basal layer of the epidermis (hence the name) or from the hair follicles, appear on the surface of the skin in the form of pink to dark brown papillae. Areas of the body where basal cell carcinomas are common are the armpits, back, lips, and nose. Their distinguishing feature is that they never degenerate into cancerous tumors, so they are considered safe.
What do papillomas look like in intimate places
When it comes to formations in the genital area, pointed formations are meant. Papillomas of this type are overgrown cells of the upper layer of the epithelium, which look like groups of small papillae. These growths can affect both sexes equally. They are localized in the groin and directly on the surface of the genitals: in men - on the head of the penis or in the lumen of the urethra, in women - on the vaginal mucosa, on the surface of the cervix and in the uterus itself.
Manifestations of changes in the integument of the genital organs, which occur as a result of human infection with the HPV virus, require special attention from the patient. He needs to consult a doctor and remove growths on the genitals, because with the transition of such a disorder into a chronic form, the risk of infertility and oncology significantly increases.
Photo: what papillomas look like on the body
In order to accurately and clearly imagine what these formations are, it will be useful for you to look at the pictures of what such growths look like. Check out this selection of photos showing examples of different types of papillomas. Check with these photos the growths that you or your loved ones have and you can determine in advance whether these warts are subject to mandatory removal and prevent serious risks to your health.
