When such growth occurs on a person's skin, he asks what changes have occurred in the body and are they not dangerous? Read on for useful information about the properties of different types of papillomas. This information will help you identify the presence of such formations in order, if necessary, to treat them in a timely manner.
Varieties of papillomas
Why do these processes often appear on the skin with age? These changes in the skin are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV for short. After infection with such a pathogen, the patient develops papillomatosis, in which warts of various shapes appear on the skin or mucous membranes. These growths are benign, but some types of papillomas are at high risk of reborn as a malignant tumor. For this reason, you should definitely see a doctor if you notice changes like this on your skin!
Medicine knows more than 40 types of papillomaviruses that cause different forms of the disease in humans. The type of virus that entered the body depends on the appearance of the papilloma, since the infection is externally manifested by various types of formations on the skin of the body. According to the general classification, the following types of growths are distinguished.
- Simple, which are also called vulgar - keratinized growths of dark color.
- Plantar - affects the soles of the feet.
- Acrochords are thread-like structures whose body rests on one leg.
- Flat formations or common warts - often appear in adolescents on the hands, fingers, face.
- Pointed - localized on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genitals or anus.
- Squamous cells - are made up of squamous epithelium, which has grown due to the effects of the virus, and the stroma (the basis of connective tissue and blood vessels).
- Basal cell - grows from cells of the basal layer of the epidermis or from hair follicles.
- Internal - They do not arise in the area of externally visible parts of the body, but in places where they are difficult to see, for example in the larynx or in the bladder.
Pointed
Such growths are often referred to as warts. Their characteristic features are small size and special shape: a broad base and a sharp point. These warts are flesh-colored or slightly pink and appear either individually or in groups. They are characterized by rapid growth: in a few days, where there was only one growth, a whole group of them is formed. In shape, this family resembles a cauliflower inflorescence. Genital warts are often found on the mucous membranes: in the mouth, on the tongue, as well as in the genital area or near the anus.
Squamous epithelium
This type of skin growth caused by the HPV virus is one of the most common because it can be very widespread throughout the body. What does such a papilloma look like? These are flat structures of a round or oval shape that protrude slightly above the surface of the skin - no more than 1 mm, can be both soft and show signs of cornification. Often they appear in groups, in terms of color they practically do not differ from the surrounding shell.
Such growths appear mainly on the upper body: on the face (for example, on the nose or lip), neck. They often appear on the mucous membranes: in the mouth on the cheeks or tongue. Squamous cell carcinoma can be diagnosed in the esophagus, larynx, and organs of the genitourinary system and even in the rectum. People with such formations are advised to remove them because of the high risk of degeneration into a malignant form.
Basal cell
These growths are often called basaliomas or senile warts because they often affect the skin of the elderly. These formations slowly grow from the basal layer of the epidermis (hence the name) or from hair follicles, appear on the surface of the skin in the form of papillae of pink to dark brown color. Areas of the body where basal cell carcinoma is common are the armpits, back, and lips and nose. What makes them different is that they never degenerate into cancerous tumors, so they are considered safe.
How papillomas look in intimate places
When it comes to formations in the genital area, pointed formations are meant. Papillomas of this type are overgrown cells of the upper epithelial layer that look like groups of small papillae. Such growths can equally often affect both sexes. They are localized in the groin and directly on the surface of the genitals: in men - on the head of the penis or in the lumen of the urethra, in women - on the vaginal mucosa, the surface of the cervix and in the uterus itself.
Manifestations of changes in the skin of the genital organs that occur as a result of human infection with the HPV virus require special attention from the patient. He needs to see a doctor and remove the growths on the genitals, since with the transition of such a disease into a chronic form, the risk of infertility and oncology sharply increases.
Photo: what papillomas look like on the body
In order to accurately and clearly imagine what these formations are, it is useful to look at the pictures of such growths. Check out this selection of photos showing examples of different types of papillomas. With these photos, check what growths you or your loved ones have and you will be able to determine in advance whether these warts are subject to mandatory removal and avoid serious risks to your health.
