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 identify potentially dangerous formations in a timely manner and take the necessary measures. The main thing that differentiates papillomas from condylomas is the nature of the causative agent of the virus.
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 that the child could become infected from the mother while passing through the birth canal.
The formation of growths indicates the rapid cell division 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 load, papillomas or condylomas appear on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that does not cause any discomfort except aesthetically. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- the presence of a leg;
- small size (up to 10mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are localized on every part of the body, with the exception of the mucous membranes of the genitals. As a rule, the color of the growth varies from a natural skin tone to pink-red shades, but even highly pigmented papillomas are not a pathology. The growth of hair on the body of a papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are harmless if they do not bother 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 strains of the virus. You can get infected with these types of HPV in everyday life and during sexual intercourse.
Features of genital warts
There are two types of warts - pointed growths and broad. The first type occurs with HPV infection, and broad growths are one of the symptoms of syphilis.
Locations of genital warts are mucous membranes, mainly of the urogenital area, as well as skin folds that are subject to friction on clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stem, the growths are fed by small vessels and capillaries. In contrast to papillomas, condylomas are often inflamed and 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 to women. There is a direct link between these types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. The infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts
The external difference between the growths can be clearly seen in the photo - the papillomas are homogeneous, while the condylomas have a fine papillary structure.
- The difference between papilloma and 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 causes papillomas to develop, is spread through household contact, use of personal care products, and even shaking hands (for microtraumas to the skin). Warts are only transmitted sexually.
- Warts become inflamed. Papillomas can increase in size and develop signs of inflammation and pain, 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 and can be arranged in clusters. A narrowing from the stem to the end is characteristic of genital warts, which allows them to be distinguished 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 need to be removed.
Why are growths dangerous?
Papillomas and condylomas are conventionally considered to be safe neoplasms on the skin, but in the latter case the risk of benign cells degenerating into malignant cells is higher.
Condylomas are cutaneous manifestations of the action of oncogenic types of virus. 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.
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 blood circulation in the genitals, the condyloma receives sufficient nutrition and can grow quickly. In gynecology, there are cases when condylomas on the vaginal wall have reached a diameter of up to 10 cm.
Notes on removal
Warts need to be removed, even if they don't cause discomfort. This is mainly due to the risk of infection from the sexual partner.
Removing or not removing papillomas on the skin is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of benign papillomas degenerating 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 measures.
You should see a dermatologist if:
- Papilloma has increased greatly in size;
- discomfort is felt when pressing;
- Bleeding or purulent discharge is noted;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
It takes five minutes to remove the debris. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis allows timely detection of the onset of cell degeneration and stops the development of oncology.
How are superstructures removed?
Any skin growth should be removed by a professional. Self-cautery of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removing genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.
Before the procedure, it is necessary to conduct a number of examinations. First, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused neoplasms to appear.
With multiple condylomas, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This will allow you to stop the virus from spreading and prepare your immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, ointments with an immunostimulant in the composition (for example, interferon-based drugs) will help. Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which you can use to successfully combat growth on the walls of the vagina.
Methods for removing buildup:
- Cryogenic destruction;
- Electrocoagulation;
- Laser burning;
- Distance with a radio knife;
- Excision with a scalpel.
When genital warts are removed, the tissue obtained from the procedure is sent for histological analysis. Surgical excision or laser removal is indicated for this purpose.
Electrocoagulation is a cauterization of neoplasms. The method has proven its worth in 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 of which the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave removal, or the 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 burnout of genital warts is indicated for a large number of growths. The advantages of the procedure are the cauterization of the vessels and capillaries that supply the formation. The exposure does not leave any traces on the skin and the risk of bleeding is excluded. Complete restoration of the epidermis after removal occurs within 5-7 days.
Folk remedies are not used to remove genital warts due to the high risk of damage to the mucous membranes from 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 that you consult your doctor if formations appear on the genitals and not try to remove them yourself.