Papillomas and condyloma are small growths on the skin that are viral in nature. You must be able to distinguish between them in order to timely notice potentially dangerous formations and take the necessary actions. The main thing that distinguishes papillomas from condyloma is the type of virus-pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
Human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than a hundred different types. HPV enters the body through domestic contact or through unprotected sex. It is possible that the child is infected from the mother while passing through the birth canal.
Growth formation indicates rapid cell division in the basal layer of the skin. This occurs under the influence of the virus, the activation of which in most cases is associated with a decrease in immune defenses. Depending on the tension, papillomas or condyloma appear on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that does not cause discomfort, except aesthetics. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- presence of legs;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are localized in any part of the body, except for the mucous membranes of the genitals. As a rule, the color of the growth varies from natural skin tone to pinkish tint, however, highly pigmented papillomas are also not a pathology. The growth of hair on the body of the papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are harmless if they do not bother the patient and are not injured accidentally in everyday life. The formation of this type of growth is due to the action of 2, 7 and 28 strains of the virus. You can be infected with this type of HPV in your daily life and during sexual intercourse.
Symptoms of genital warts
Warts are of two types - pointed and broad growths. The first type appears with HPV infection, and extensive growth is one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The sites of localization of genital warts are mucous membranes, especially the urogenital region, as well as skin folds that are subjected to friction with clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to thin stems, the growth is fed through small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, condylomas are often inflamed, ulceration of the growth body is possible.
Genital warts are caused by 16, 18, 54 types of viruses. This type of HPV is potentially dangerous, especially for women. There is a direct relationship between the type of virus and the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papillomas from genital warts?
External differences between growths are easy to see on the photo - papillomas are homogeneous, while condylomas have a smooth papillary structure.
- The difference between papillomas and warts lies in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be very pigmented, the color of the wart is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membrane.
- HPV, which provokes the development of papillomas, is transmitted by household contact, using personal hygiene products, and even by shaking hands (in the presence of skin microtrauma). Warts are only transmitted sexually.
- The wart becomes inflamed. Papillomas can grow in size, acquire signs of inflammation and pain, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- Papillomas are predominantly round or oval "heads" located on the soft stem. Condyloma has an irregular outline, can be arranged in groups. For genital warts, narrowing from the trunk to the tip is characteristic, which makes it possible to distinguish them from papillomas.
- The emergence of growth of various types 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 must be removed.
Why is growth dangerous?
Papillomas and condylomas are conventionally considered safe neoplasms of the skin, but the risk of degeneration of benign cells into malignant cells is higher in the second case.
Condyloma is a skin manifestation of the action of oncogenic types of viruses. Years of research have identified a link between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis with further removal of genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of cancer in women.
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, condylomas receive sufficient nutrition and can grow quickly. In gynecology, there are cases when the condyloma located on the vaginal wall grows to a diameter of 10 cm.
Indications for removal
Warts should be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is mainly due to the risk of infection in sexual partners.
To get rid of papillomas located on the skin, or not, is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of degeneration of benign papillomas into oncological neoplasms increases when body growth is damaged. This can be caused by friction with clothing, accidental damage to nails or washcloths during cleaning procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- papillomas have greatly increased in size;
- when pressed, discomfort is felt;
- bleeding or discharge of pus is noted;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
Removing build-ups 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 are build-ups removed?
Any skin growths should be removed by a professional. Cauterization of papillomas on their own 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 carry out a series of examinations. First of all, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the appearance of the neoplasm.
With some condyloma, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to stop the virus from spreading and adjust your immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, ointments with immunostimulants in the composition (for example, drugs based on interferon) help. Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allow you to successfully fight growths on the vaginal walls.
Method to remove build-up:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- removal with a radio knife;
- excision with a scalpel.
When genital warts are removed, the tissue obtained as a result of the procedure is sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgical excision or laser removal is indicated.
Electrocoagulation is the cauterization of neoplasms. This method works well 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 leads to cell necrosis, as a result of which the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave or radio knife removal is an effective and almost painless method of removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, the cells of the neoplasm are destroyed. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser fatigue of genital warts is indicated by the presence of a large number of growths. The advantage of this method is cauterization of the blood 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 restoration of the epidermis after removal occurs in 5-7 days.
To get rid of genital warts, folk remedies are not used due to the high risk of damage to the mucous membranes by aggressive components of the composition. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
To find out how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help. It is recommended to consult a doctor if formations appear on the genitals, and do not try to remove them yourself.