Papillomas and condylomas are small growths on the skin of a viral nature. You need to be able to distinguish between potentially dangerous formations in order to notice them in time and take the necessary action. The main thing that distinguishes papilloma from condyloma is the type of virus-pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than a hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through household contact or unprotected sex. It is possible for the child to get an infection from the mother while passing through the birth canal.
Growth formation indicates rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. This happens under the influence of a virus, the activation of which in most cases is associated with a decrease in immune defense. Depending on the strain, papillomas or condylomas appear on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that does not cause discomfort, except for aesthetics. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- the presence of a leg;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- medium pigmentation.
Papillomas are localized on any part of the body, except for the mucous membranes of the genitals. As a rule, the color of the growths varies from a natural skin tone to pinkish-red tones, but highly pigmented papillomas are also not a pathology. Hair growth on the body of a papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not interfere with the patient and are not accidentally injured in everyday life. The formation of such growths is due to the action of virus strains 2, 7 and 28. You can become infected with this type of HPV in daily life and during sexual intercourse.
Features of genital warts
Warts are of two types - pointed growth and wide. The first type occurs with HPV infection, and extensive growth is one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The localization sites of genital warts are mainly the mucous membranes in 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, the growths are fed by small veins and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, condylomas are often inflamed, ulceration of the growth body is possible.
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 relationship between these types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easy to notice in the photo - papillomas are homogeneous, while condylomas have a thin papillary structure.
- The difference between papilloma and warts lies in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be quite pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membranes.
- HPV, which causes the development of papillomas, is transmitted through household contact, using personal hygiene products and even shaking hands (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts are only sexually transmitted.
- Warts become inflamed. Papillomas can grow in size, acquire signs of inflammation and hurt, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- The shape of the papillomas is a round or oval "head", located predominantly on a soft body. Condylomas have irregular outlines, can be arranged in clusters. For genital warts, narrowing from the root to the tip is characteristic, which makes it possible to distinguish them from papillomas.
- The appearance of growths of different types is due to different strains of the virus.
It is important to remember the main difference between papilloma and warts - growths on the genitals and mucous membranes must be removed.
Why is growth dangerous?
Papillomas and condylomas are traditionally considered safe neoplasms on the skin, but in the latter case there is a higher risk of benign cells turning into malignant ones.
Condylomas are cutaneous manifestations of the action of oncogenic types of the virus. Years of research have identified an association between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis with further removal of genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer in women.
The growths can be found not only on the skin and external genitalia, but also on the vagina and cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, the condyloma is adequately nourished and can grow rapidly. There are cases when condylomas located on the wall of the vagina in gynecology grow up to 10 cm in diameter.
Lifting indications
Warts should be removed even if they do not cause discomfort. This is primarily due to the risk of infection of the sexual partner.
To remove or not to remove papillomas on the skin is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of degeneration of benign papillomas into an oncological neoplasm increases when the growth body is damaged. This can be caused by rubbing against clothing, accidental damage to nails, or a washcloth during hygiene procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- papilloma greatly increased in size;
- discomfort is felt when pressed;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is noted;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
Removing the buildup is a matter of five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis will allow timely detection of the onset of cell degeneration and stop the development of oncology.
How to remove artifacts?
Any skin growth should be removed by a professional. Self-dispersal of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removal of genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.
Before the procedure, it is necessary to conduct a series of examinations. First of all, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the appearance of neoplasms.
The patient with multiple condyloma is given antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and adjust the immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, ointments containing an immunostimulant in the composition (for example, drugs based on interferon) help. Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories that allow you to successfully fight growths on the walls of the vagina.
Methods for removing buildups:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- removal with a radio knife;
- excision with a scalpel.
When genital warts are removed, the tissues obtained as a result of the procedure are sent for histological analysis. Surgical excision or laser removal is indicated for this purpose.
Electrocoagulation is the cauterization of neoplasms. The method worked well for removing small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms on the skin, but not on mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth, which causes cell necrosis, as a result, the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave or radio knife is an effective and almost painless method of removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, the cells of the neoplasm are destroyed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser excision of genital warts is indicated in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantages of the method are cauterization of vessels and capillaries that feed the formation. As a result of exposure, there is no scar on the skin, and the risk of bleeding is eliminated. After removal, complete restoration of the epidermis occurs within 5-7 days.
To remove genital warts, folk remedies are not used because of the high risk of damage to the mucous membrane by the aggressive components of the composition. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
To understand how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help. If formations appear on the genitals, it is recommended to consult a doctor and not try to remove them yourself.