Papillomas and warts are small growths on the skin of a viral nature. You need to be able to separate them so that you can spot potentially dangerous structures in a timely manner and take the necessary action. The main thing that distinguishes papilloma from genital warts is the type of viral pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than a hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through domestic contact or unprotected sex. The baby can be transmitted from the mother by 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 is in many cases associated with a decrease in immune defense. Depending on the strain, papillomas or warts occur on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign tumor that does not cause any discomfort other than aesthetic. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- presence of a leg;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are localized anywhere on the body except the mucous membranes of the genitals. Typically, growth color varies from natural skin tone to reddish-red hues, but highly pigmented papillomas are also not a pathology. Hair growth on the body of the papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous as long as they do not interfere with the patient and are not accidentally injured in daily life. This type of growth is caused by the action of 2, 7 and 28 virus strains. You can get these types of HPV in your daily life and during sex.
Features of genital warts
There are two types of warts - pointed growths and broad ones. The first type occurs with HPV infection, and extensive growth is one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The sites of genital wart localization are the mucous membranes, mainly in the urogenital area, as well as skin wrinkles that are rubbed against the clothes.
The structure of the genital wart is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stem, the growths are fed through small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, warts are often inflamed, possible ulceration of the growth body.
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. The infection occurs during sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easy to see in the photo - the papillomas are homogeneous and the warts have a finely papillary structure.
- The difference between papillomas and warts is the color of growth. Papillomas can be highly pigmented, warts are usually pale and do not differ from the mucosa.
- HPV, which provokes the development of papillomas, is transmitted through household contacts, using personal hygiene products, and even by pressing the hand (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts are transmitted only sexually.
- The warts become inflamed. Papillomas can grow, gaining signs of inflammation and pain, but only due to traumatic effects.
- The shape of the papillomas is mainly a round or oval "head" on a soft stem. The condylomas have irregular contours, can be arranged in groups.
- The emergence of different types of growths is caused by different strains of the virus.
It is important to remember the main difference between papillomas and warts - growths on the genitals and mucous membranes need to be removed.
Why is growth dangerous?
Papillomas and warts are traditionally considered safe skin tumors, but in the latter case, the risk of benign cell degeneration is higher.
Genital warts are manifestations of the action of cutaneous oncogenic virus types. Many years of research have found an association between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis and further removal of the genital wart helps to significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer in women.
Plants can be not only on the skin and external genitals, but also in the vagina and cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, warts get enough nutrition and can grow rapidly. In gynecology, there are cases where the warts on the vaginal wall have grown to 10 cm in diameter.
Removal indications
Warts must be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is primarily due to the risk of infection of the sexual partner.
Removing papillomas on the skin or not is a personal matter for each patient. Damage to the growth body increases the risk of degeneration of benign papillomas into the oncological tumor. This can be caused by rubbing against clothing, accidental damage to nails or a towel during hygiene procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- papilloma greatly increased;
- discomfort when pressed;
- noticeable bleeding or purulent discharge;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
It takes five minutes to remove the buildup. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis will allow timely detection of the onset of cell degeneration and halt the development of oncology.
How are accumulations removed?
Any skin growth should be removed by a specialist. Self-treatment of papillomas with folk remedies is not always effective. Removing genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.
It is necessary to take several exams before the procedure. In particular, the patient's blood is tested to determine the type of virus that caused the neoplasms to occur.
In many warts, the patient is given antiviral and immunomodulatory treatment. This stops the virus from spreading and regulates the immune system to fight HPV. Ointments containing immunostimulants (such as interferon-based medications) help to get rid of genital warts. Such drugs are in the form of suppositories, which allows to successfully combat growth on the vaginal walls.
Ways to remove the buildup:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- removal with a radio knife;
- carving with a scalpel.
After removal of the genital warts, the tissues obtained during the procedure are sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgical removal or laser removal is indicated.
Electrocoagulation is the cauterization of neoplasms. This method is perfect for removing 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, so the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave removal or a radio knife is an effective and almost painless way to remove genital warts. Radio waves destroy neoplasmic cells. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser burnout of genital warts is indicated by numerous growths. The advantages of the method are the cauterization of vessels and capillaries that feed the formation. Due to the effect, no traces are left on the skin, the risk of bleeding is ruled out. Complete reconstruction of the epidermis after removal occurs within 5-7 days.
Folk remedies are not used to remove genital warts, as the components of the aggressive composition can damage the mucous membranes. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
A photo will help to find out how warts differ from papillomas. It is recommended to consult a doctor if there are derivatives on the genitals and not to try to remove them yourself.