What does a papilloma look like?

If such growth occurs on human skin, then he asks the question, what changes have taken place in the body and are they not dangerous? Read on for helpful information on the properties of different types of papillomas. This information will help you identify the presence of such structures and treat them in a timely manner if necessary.

Papilloma varieties

Why do these processes on the skin often occur with age? These skin changes are provoked by the human papillomavirus, or HPV for short. When infected with such a pathogen, the patient develops papillomatosis disease, during which warts of various forms appear on the skin or mucous membranes. These growths are benign, but some papilloma species are at high risk of relapse as a malignancy. For this reason, if you notice such skin changes, you should definitely see a doctor!

Medicine knows more than 40 varieties of papillomavirus that cause various forms of the disease in humans. The type of virus that enters the body depends on what the papilloma looks like, as the infection manifests itself externally in different types of formations on the body. The following types of growth are distinguished according to the general classification.

  1. Simple, also called vulgar - keratinized dark growths.
  2. Soles - affects the soles of the feet.
  3. Acrochords are threads whose body rests on the leg.
  4. Flat formations or common warts are common in adolescents' hands, fingers, and face.
  5. Spot - localized on the oral cavity, genitals or anus mucosa.
  6. Squamous cells - consist of the squamous epithelium that has grown due to the virus and the stroma (the base of the connective tissue and blood vessels).
  7. Basal cell - grows from cells in the basal layer of the epidermis or from hair follicles.
  8. Internal - They do not occur in the area of the external visible parts of the body, but where they are difficult to see, such as the throat or bladder.
papillomas on the fingers

Spot

Such growths are often referred to as warts. Their characteristics are small in size and special in shape: wide base and sharp tip. These warts are fleshy or slightly pink in color and occur singly or in groups. They stand out for their rapid growth: in just a few days, where there was only one growth, a whole group of them is formed. In its form, this family resembles a cauliflower inflorescence. Genital warts are often on the mucous membranes: in the mouth, tongue, as well as in the genital area or near the anus.

Flat

This form of skin growth caused by the HPV virus is one of the most common because it can be very widely localized throughout the body. What does this type of papilloma look like? These are round or oval flat formations, slightly protruding above the skin surface - no more than 1 mm, can be both soft and show signs of keratinization. Often they appear in groups, the colors they are practically no different from the surrounding cover.

Such growths usually occur in the upper part of the body: the face (for example, on the nose or lips), the neck. They often appear on the mucous membranes: inside the mouth on the cheeks or tongue. Squamous cell tumors can be diagnosed in the esophagus, larynx, as well as organs of the urogenital system and even the rectum. People with such derivatives are advised to remove them as there is a high risk of degeneration into a malignant form.

Basal cell

These growths are often called basal warts or senile warts because they often affect the skin of the elderly. These formations grow slowly from the base layer of the epidermis (hence the name) or from the hair follicles, appearing on the surface of the skin in the form of papules from pink to dark brown. Areas of the body where basal cell carcinomas are common include the armpits, back, lips, and nose. Their distinguishing feature is that they never develop into cancerous tumors and are therefore considered safe.

basal cell papillomas on the back

How papillomas look in intimate places

As for derivatives in the field of genitals, then sharp formations are meant. Papillomas of this type are overgrown cells in the upper epithelial layer that look like groups of small papillae. Such growth can affect both sexes equally often. They are localized in the groin and directly on the surface of the genitals: in men - on the head of the penis or urethra, in women - on the vaginal mucosa, the surface of the cervix and in the uterus itself. .

Manifestations of genital skin changes due to human infection with the HPV virus require special patient attention. He needs to see a doctor and remove growths on the genitals, as the transition to such a chronic form of the condition greatly increases the risk of infertility and oncology.

Photo: how papillomas look on the body

To get an accurate and clear idea of what these derivatives are, it will be helpful for you to look at the images of what such growths look like. Check out this selection of photos that provide examples of different types of papillomas. With these photos, check the growth of you or your loved ones and you can determine in advance whether these warts are mandatory to remove and prevent a serious threat to your health.

papillomas at handpapilloma on the neck