Papillomas and condylomas are small growths on the skin of a viral nature. You need to be able to distinguish between them in order to timely notice potentially dangerous formations and take the necessary measures. 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 through unprotected intercourse. It is possible for the 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 occurs 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 aesthetic. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- the presence of a leg;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate 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 growth varies from a natural skin tone to pinkish-red shades, however, highly pigmented papillomas are also not a pathology. The growth of hair 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 growths of this type is due to the action of the 2, 7 and 28 virus strains. You can become infected with these types of HPV in everyday life and during sexual intercourse.
Features of genital warts
Warts are of two types - pointed growths and wide. The first type appears with HPV infection, and wide growths are one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The sites of localization of genital warts are mucous membranes, mainly of 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 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 strains of the virus. These types of HPV are potentially dangerous, especially for women. There is a direct relationship between these types of virus and the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from warts?
The external difference between the growths is easy to notice in the photo - the papillomas are homogeneous, while the condylomas have a finely papillary structure.
- The difference between papilloma and genital warts lies in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be highly pigmented, the color of warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membranes.
- HPV, which provokes the development of papillomas, is transmitted by household contact, using personal hygiene products, and even through a handshake (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 papillomas is predominantly a round or oval "head" located on a soft stem. Condylomas have irregular outlines, can be arranged in clusters. For genital warts, narrowing from the stem to the end 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 are growths dangerous?
Papillomas and condylomas are conventionally considered safe neoplasms on the skin, but the risk of degeneration of benign cells into malignant cells is higher in the second case.
Condylomas are cutaneous manifestations of the action of oncogenic types of the virus. Years of research have identified a relationship 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 located not only on the skin and external genitals, but also in the vagina and on the cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, condyloma receives enough nutrition and can grow rapidly. In gynecology, there are cases when condylomas located on the wall of the vagina grew up to 10 cm in diameter.
Indications for removal
Warts must be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is primarily due to the risk of infection of the sexual partner.
To remove papillomas located on the skin, or not, 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 from nails or a washcloth during hygiene procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- papilloma has greatly increased in size;
- when pressed, discomfort is felt;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is noted;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
Removing the build-up 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 growth should be removed by a professional. Self-cauterization 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.
With multiple condylomas, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and tune the immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, ointments with an immunostimulant in the composition (for example, drugs based on interferon) help. Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allows you to successfully fight against growths on the walls of the vagina.
Methods for removing build-ups:
- 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. For this purpose, surgical excision or laser removal is indicated.
Electrocoagulation is a cauterization of neoplasms. The method has 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 removal or radio knife is an effective and almost painless method for removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, the cells of the neoplasm are destroyed. 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 the 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 restoration of the epidermis after removal occurs within 5-7 days.
To remove 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 figure out how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor if formations appear on the genitals, and not try to remove them yourself.