Papillomas and warts are small growths of a viral nature on the skin. You need to be able to differentiate them so that you can spot potentially dangerous formations in a timely manner and take the necessary action. The main thing that distinguishes papilloma from condyloma is the type of viral pathogen.
Causes of tumors
Human papillomavirus (HPV) contains more than a hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through domestic contact or unprotected intercourse. It is possible for a child to become infected from 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 is caused by a virus, the activation of which in most cases results in a decrease in immune protection. Depending on the strain, papillomas or condylomas appear on the body.
Characteristics of papillomas
A papilloma is a benign tumor that does not cause discomfort except for aesthetics. Characteristics of papillomas:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- the presence of the foot;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are localized in any part of the body except the genital mucosa. As a general rule, the color of growth varies from natural skin color to pink-red shades, however, highly pigmented papillomas are also not pathologies. Hair growth on the body of the papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not disturb the patient and are not accidentally injured in daily life. The development of this type of growth is due to the effect of virus strains 2, 7 and 28. You can become infected with this type of HPV in your daily life and during sexual intercourse.
Characteristics of genital warts
Warts come in two types - pointed and broad. The first type appears with HPV infection, and broad growth is a symptom of syphilis.
The sites of localization of genital warts are the mucous membranes, primarily the urogenital area, as well as skin folds that are subject to friction against clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stem, feeding the growths through small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, condylomas often become inflamed, and ulceration of the growth body is possible.
Genital warts are caused by strains 16, 18, 54 of the virus. This type of HPV is 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 contact.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
External differences between growth are easy to spot in the photo - papillomas are homogeneous, while condylomas are subtly papillary in structure.
- The difference between papilloma and wart lies in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be highly pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucosa.
- HPV, which causes the development of papillomas, is transmitted through household contact, the use of personal care products, and even handshakes (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts only spread sexually.
- Warts become inflamed. Papillomas can grow, showing signs of inflammation and pain, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- The shape of the papillomas is a predominantly round or oval "head" located on a soft stalk. Condylomas have irregular outlines and can be arranged in clusters. In the case of genital warts, there is a narrowing from the stem to the end, which makes it possible to distinguish it from papillomas.
- The appearance of different types of growths is due to different strains of the virus.
It is important to note the main difference between papilloma and warts - growth on the genitals and mucous membranes should be removed.
Why are growths dangerous?
Papillomas and warts are traditionally considered safe skin tumors on the skin, but the risk of benign cells degenerating into malignant cells is higher in the second case.
Condyloma is a skin manifestation of the effect of the oncogenic types of the virus. Several years of research have shown a link between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis by further removal of genital warts significantly reduces the risk of cancer in women.
The growths can be located not only on the skin and external genitals, but also in the vagina and cervix. Due to the peculiarities of the blood circulation in the genitals, warts get enough food and can grow quickly. In gynecology, there are cases where the warts on the vaginal wall have become 10 cm in diameter.
Indications for removal
Warts should be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is primarily due to the risk of infection of the sexual partner.
Removing or not removing papillomas from the skin is a personal matter for every patient. The risk of degeneration of benign papillomas into an oncological neoplasm increases when the growth body is damaged. This may be due to rubbing against clothing, accidental damage to nails or washcloths during hygiene procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- the papilloma is greatly increased;
- when pressed, an uncomfortable feeling is felt;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is observed;
- the skin around the growth will become inflamed.
Remove the buildup in five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis allows for the initial detection of cell degeneration and arrest of the development of oncology.
How to remove accumulations?
Skin growth should be removed by a professional. Self-cauterization of papillomas using folk remedies is not always effective. Removal of genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.
A series of tests must be performed before the procedure. First of all, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that causes the appearance of neoplasms.
In multiple condyloma, the patient prescribes antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows the virus to stop spreading and the immune system to tune in to fight HPV. Ointments that contain immunostimulants (such as interferon-based drugs) help to get rid of genital warts. Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories that allow you to successfully fight growths on the vaginal wall.
Methods for removing deposits:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- removal with radio knife;
- excision with a scalpel.
When genital warts are removed, the resulting tissues are sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgical excision or laser removal is recommended.
Electrocoagulation is the cauterization of tumors. The method worked well in removing small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms on the skin, but not on the mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is used for growth, which causes cell death, resulting in the papilloma simply disappearing.
Radio wave removal or a radio knife is an effective and almost painless method of removing genital warts. Radio waves destroy the cells of the neoplasm. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser burnout of genital warts is indicated in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantages of this 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 excluded. Complete epidermal repair occurs within 5-7 days after removal.
Folk remedies are not used to remove genital warts because the aggressive ingredients in the preparation pose a high risk of mucosal damage. Alkaline medicines are also prohibited.
A photograph will help determine how warts differ from papillomas. It is recommended that you consult your doctor if formations appear on the genitals and do not attempt to remove them.