Each strain of HPV causes its own types of papillomas. They differ in external form and 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 on the body, the 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 shape of a papilla", this is how the term papilloma translates 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 papillomavirus, they have an oncogenic risk.
Varieties 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 be completely different in color. The color scheme of the papilloma can vary from light to almost black. Sometimes an elongated papilloma grows on the body, other types of HPV are flat or, conversely, overgrown, resembling a rooster's comb.
Only a doctor can determine the nature of the papillomavirus by conducting the necessary diagnostics:
- visual examination of the patient;
- run tests to identify the strain of the virus.
The virus enters the body under favorable conditions for this. You must be in contact with a virus carrier or with contaminated objects and your immunity must be weakened.
HPV is usually easily blocked by the immune system, there are a number of 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 an unpleasant feature of growing and sometimes mutating into an oncological disease. Visiting a doctor is a necessary preventive measure.
Simple papillomas (vulgar)
This is the most common type of papillomas on the body. The people call them warts, they appear gradually. First, a small tubercle grows on the skin. Gradually, it increases in diameter and changes its color from pale flesh to a more saturated brownish. The structure of the vulgar papilloma also changes, it becomes hard, keratinization appears.
Vulgar papillomas are most often found on:
- palms;
- fingers;
- skin between toes
- knees;
- sometimes formed on the face, back, neck
Such neoplasms can occur in clusters. First, a "mother's papilloma" appears, and later the daughter's growths are formed.
Children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to this type of HPV. Vulgar papillomas are usually benign in nature, do not degenerate into oncological formations. Strains 75-77, 26-29, 41, 38, 49, 57, 65 are responsible for the appearance of these neoplasms.
To the simplest types of viruses on the body include plantar warts. The name refers to the place of their appearance. The outgrowth on the sole grows singly, it can be identified by the characteristic protruding edge. It usually doesn't cause inconvenience, but it can sometimes interfere with walking. In order not to confuse a corn and a plantar wart, remember that a corn 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 immediately differs from other skin neoplasms.
It rises just above the skin, if you look closely, you can see that its surface, which looks dense, seems to be made up of small nodules. A flat wart does not have a predetermined shape, it can be with jagged edges or, conversely, rounded.
A flat papilloma does not have a keratinization process (death and keratinization of skin cells), therefore it does not have skin furrows characteristic of other types of papillomas.
The color of such a buildup is usually light, sometimes it darkens and turns brown. Flat papilloma cannot be dark brown.
Locations:
- shins;
- arms;
- Backwards;
- 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. You are unlikely to prescribe the right treatment for yourself. The doctor must examine you, make a diagnosis and, taking into account all physical characteristics, prescribe treatment. Such growths are easier to get rid of immediately after they appear. Old growths will have to be removed by the operative method. Flat papillomas cause virus types 49, 28, 10.
Pointed papillomas (warts)
They have a characteristic appearance, which allows them not to be confused with other types of papillomaviruses. Outwardly, such a papilloma can be compared with "cauliflower" or "cock's comb". Warts are attached 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 wart can be white, fleshy, pale pink, and have a light red to brown color. Sometimes such growths secrete a liquid with a fetid odor.
Genital warts are often injured due to the specific location.
The main localization of genital warts:
- Sex organs.
- Anal area.
- Fork.
- 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 can develop. The virus accumulates in tissues near the growth and changes the DNA composition of the epithelium and mucous membranes, causing oncology of the penis in men and cervical cancer in women. Genital warts must be removed.
Filiform papillomas
They are also called acrochords. They mostly grow singly, but groups of acrochords are also found. If it is accidentally torn off, a new process will appear again in its place, moreover, growths can wander around the body, growing. They don't hurt.
There is more aesthetic rejection than accumulation, especially if the papilloma has grown on the face. Color range from flesh tone to brown. The acrochord is oblong and elastic, keratinized papillomas are sometimes present.
Favorite places of appearance of areas of the body with delicate skin:
- face (eyelid area, nose);
- inguinal folds;
- on the neck;
- armpits;
- under the breast (in a woman).
If the acrochord appears on the face, do not use scrubs and brushes so as not to injure it. Armpit growths are often injured by razors.
It is better to visit a doctor and remove the neoplasm in the clinic to avoid infection and degeneration of the disease into oncology. The latter rarely occurs with filiform papillomas.
The viruses that cause this type of HPV are strains 2 and 7. Acrochords are 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 make a preliminary diagnosis yourself. 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, choroidal papilloma (grows in the brain), papillomas in the stomach are called papillitis of the stomach. Internal papillomas are the most dangerous, sometimes the patient goes to the doctor with an advanced stage of HPV. You can die from internal malignancies. For example, growths in the larynx interfere with the breathing process and can cause asphyxiation. Any HPV disease requires immediate medical attention.