Armpit papillomas are a common problem in patients of different sexes and ages. The disease often affects adolescents, and sometimes children as well. Its causes and treatment are closely related, since after eliminating the predisposing factor, it is possible to get rid of the growths.
What are papillomas
Papillomas are benign neoplasms that appear on the skin and cause unpleasant symptoms. They can be of different shapes and sizes, are rarely single, and often affect a specific area of the skin.The regular occurrence of growths in large numbers in medicine is called papillomatosis.
Types of papillomas under the armpits
Armpit papillomas, the causes and treatment of which differ depending on the type, are divided into several classifications. Taking into account the peculiarities of tumor growth, a distinction is made between endophytic and exophytic growths. The first grow in the skin and only form a slight bump on the skin.
The latter germinate above the surface of the skin, have a different shape, size and make a person's life much more difficult. Doctors also differentiate between several types of growths, depending on the shape.
The most common are the following:
- Justusually rounded in shape, rising slightly above the skin, and rarely causing discomfort to the patient. The patient only notices them when symptoms appear.
- Pointedare common, small, attached to the skin at the base, tapering towards the tip as they grow. Neoplasms do not occur individually, but more often occur in groups of several.
- Finger-shapedresemble prickly in appearance, but have not one, but two or three points. They appear like previous growths and cause serious discomfort.
- Simple or vulgar papillomasIs the most common type. They are mole-like in appearance, rounded in shape and slightly raised above the level of the skin.
- FiliformFormations most often appear under the armpits. They are very thin and are attached to the skin with a thin stem. Such deposits can easily be damaged or even torn off by carelessly moving or rubbing clothing.
In addition, experts identify growths that are prone to malignancy and those that never turn into a malignant neoplasm. The classification is conditional, the type is recognized during diagnosis.
Stages and degrees of papillomas under the armpits
Armpit papillomas, the causes and treatment of which are similar for each type of disease, are not officially classified into stages or degrees by experts. However, doctors conditionally differentiate between the initial, progressive and advanced stages of papillomatosis. Flat formations grow slowly, in the initial stage they do not appear in any way.
As the condition progresses, the patient becomes uncomfortable and notices a build-up.At an advanced stage, the neoplasm causes pain, it can bleed and other smaller papillomas form next to it. Vulgar papillomas develop on the same principle.
In the armpits, pointed papillomas appear in several places at the same time. Initially, the patient does not feel any pain. In addition, the number of growths increases. At the advanced stage, the size and number of formations grows rapidly, the patient damages them, and infection follows.
Finger-shaped neoplasms develop similarly to pointed ones, but they grow more slowly and are less likely to be injured.
In rare cases this is followed by an infection.Filamentous papillomas most often provoke complications. At the initial stage, one or two growths appear. In addition, their number is increasing. In the advanced stage, the skin under the armpits is mostly covered with growths, they cause pain, itching and are damaged by clothing and hygiene articles when showering.
Symptoms of papillomas under the armpits
In most cases, papillomatosis does not provoke severe symptoms in the initial and progressive stages. The incubation period can last from several months to several years.
The main signs in advanced cases are the following:
- the formation of a small build-up of various shapes and sizes;
- the appearance of a similar neoplasm next to it;
- slight dryness of the skin in the area of the papilloma;
- Bleeding with damage to the structure;
- pain when rubbing papillomas with clothes;
- Inflammation of the skin around the formations;
- the appearance of wounds or cracks.
In severe cases, there is also an infection caused by the penetration of bacteria into small wounds that form when the growth is damaged.
The reasons for the appearance of papillomas under the armpits
Armpit papillomas, the causes and treatment of which are almost always the same, arise as a result of the penetration of the human papillomavirus into the body. Today specialists know about 600 tribes. More than 70% of the world's population are infected with this virus, but it may be activated.
The main factors will be the following:
- Weakening of immunity as a result of prolonged illness;
- regular overwork, intense physical activity;
- unhealthy diet, lack of vitamins and minerals;
- chronic vitamin deficiency;
- frequent stressful situations;
- long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
- undergoing chemotherapy.
Any of the factors can trigger the activation of the virus, the appearance of neoplasms. HPV is sexually transmitted through the use of standard personal care products. Children can get infected from their parents.
Diagnosis of papillomas under the armpits
Patients with symptoms of papillomatosis are recommended to see a specialist for a diagnostic examination. The first method of examination is to examine the skin at the site of growth. The doctor examines the affected area, assesses the condition of the papillomas and the likelihood of their turning into malignant tumors.
The next method is a complete blood count.A blood sample is taken from a patient's vein or finger and examined by specialists under laboratory conditions. Based on the results of the analysis, the doctor determines the general condition of the patient. Such diagnostics are carried out in any educational institution and, as a rule, it is free.
Armpit papillomas can be diagnosed in different ways. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is one of the most important and effective. Allows you to detect HPV in a patient's blood sample, identify the exact cause, and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
The analysis is carried out in large clinics.Some provincial clinics also run PCR tests. Test - a screening test that allows you to quickly identify different strains of HPV is highly accurate.
For research, blood is taken from the patient and then examined in special laboratories with reagents and equipment. Today the method is considered the most effective and popular, it is carried out in all countries of the world, more often in large clinics.
When to see a doctor
Papillomas in the armpits often do not cause any noticeable discomfort, but they spoil their appearance and must therefore be removed. It is worth contacting a specialist if the patient's psycho-emotional state is disturbed and complexes appear.
In case of growth damage and bleeding, severe pain, signs of inflammation of the skin around the neoplasms, you should definitely consult a doctor.The type of papilloma, size and shape do not matter.
A visit to a specialist will be indicated if HPV is detected during the polymerase chain reaction or screening study. Dermatologists and dermatovenerologists deal with the problems of papillomatosis. Usually the patient is referred to a specialized department. In the presence of malignancies, a consultation with an oncologist is indicated.
Armpit papilloma prevention
The patient cannot, however, completely rule out the likelihood of infection with the human papillomaviruscan significantly reduce them if the following recommendations are followed:
- The normalization of the way of work and rest eliminates overload and, with it, a decrease in immunity. It is necessary to devote enough time to proper rest and not to overload the body.
- Improving nutritional quality helps reduce the likelihood of vitamin deficiency and weaken the body's defenses.
- Avoiding promiscuous sex and having a regular partner also help reduce your risk of HPV infection.
- The use of barrier methods of contraception during sexual intercourse.
- Refusal to use other people's personal hygiene products. HPV persists in washcloths, towels, and other personal items for a long time.
Either method minimizes but does not eliminate the risk of HPV infection. Today there is no one hundred percent way to prevent the virus from entering the body.
Methods of treating papillomas under the armpits
Armpit papillomas, the causes and treatment of which are related in most cases, are successfully eliminated with medication. In addition, specialists refer patients to procedures for removing growths. Sometimes the patient is allowed to use alternative medicine prescriptions.
Medication
For the treatment of papillomatosis, antivirals, vitamin complexes, ointments or gels for external use are prescribed.
| Action and efficiency | Scheme and course of treatment |
| Immunostimulating and antiviral drug. It works through the content of the substance inosine Pranobex. Destroys HPV, stimulates the body's defenses. Very effective in any form and at any stage of the disease | Treatment lasts 10 to 14 days, depending on the severity of the disease. You should take 2 tablets three times a day. This is best done after eating. |
| Antiviral agent, increases the body's defenses. It works thanks to the human interferon content. Most often, suppositories and ointment are used together to enhance the effects. The drug is effective at any stage of the disease | The course of treatment does not exceed 10 days. Suppositories are injected 1 piece into the rectum twice a day. The ointment is used 3-4 times a day to treat papillomas. A small amount is applied to the affected area and gently rubbed in |
| High efficiency antiviral agent. Quickly suppresses HPV activity, speeds up the process of removing papillomas. Usually, pills are prescribed in combination with the external form | The duration of treatment is 5-10 days. Tablets should be taken 5 times a day in the amount of 1 piece before or after meals. Ointment or cream is applied to the affected areas up to 5 times a day |
| An immunostimulating and antiviral drug that works quickly and effectively even in advanced stages and with severe skin lesions | The duration of treatment is 10-14 days. It is necessary to take 2 tablets 3 times a day, preferably after meals. |
| Multivitamin complex with vitamins and minerals. Effective in weakened immunity, helps the body fight HPV | The recording duration is 30 days. The daily norm is 1 tablet, it is worth taking with meals |
| An effective antiviral drug with high efficiency. Helps suppress HPV activity in multiple uses and prevent new growths from appearing | The course consists of only 3 applications with a frequency of 48 hours. The candle is inserted into the rectum at bedtime. If that is not enough, two candles will be introduced next week, 72 hours apart |
Each of the drugs should only be prescribed by a doctor after examining and establishing the severity of papillomatosis.
Traditional methods
Some traditional medicine recipes are very effective in eliminating small neoplasms.
The most popular will be the following:
- Celandine juiceit is considered the most effective in the fight against growths. It is necessary to grind fresh grass and squeeze out the juice. Apply it only to the papilloma with a cotton swab, avoiding contact with healthy areas of the skin. Repeat the process in the morning and evening. After a few days, the growth turns black, after which it disappears. The duration of treatment is individual for everyone.
- Garlic juice and baby cream- a mixture for removing deposits. It is necessary to squeeze the juice from several cloves of garlic and mix it with the cream in a ratio of 1: 1. Keep the resulting mass in the refrigerator. Apply the composition point by point on the papilloma every day, cover with a plaster and leave for 3 hours. It takes 7-14 days to clear a small formation.
- Natural apple cider vinegarhelps remove underarm growths. It is necessary to lubricate the formation with the product 3 to 5 times a day to avoid contact with a healthy cover. Usually 10 days are enough to solve the problem, the papilloma disappears on its own. The effectiveness of the method is high.
Each of the methods will help get rid of small papillomas of various shapes. You will not remove large neoplasms. It is strictly forbidden to use the funds if there are signs of inflammation of the growth or surrounding tissues.
Other methods
Some hardware techniques help remove even large growths in 1-3 procedures. The most popular method is laser burning. With the help of a special laser beam, the specialist acts on the papilloma, the tissue dies and the growth disappears after a few days.
An anesthetic is pre-injected into the affected area to reduce sensitivity.If the papilloma was large, a second procedure may be required.
Cryodestruction is an effective method of removing papillomas from under the armpits.
Cryodestruction is a method of removing papillomas using liquid nitrogen at an extremely low temperature (-170-2000).
The specialist processes the growth, the tissues die, the neoplasm disappears. Manipulation causes discomfort and therefore requires pain relief. As a rule, no second intervention is required, one visit is sufficient. Such methods are very effective and reduce the risk of skin growths recurring to a minimum.
Possible complications
Without treatment, armpits papillomas are constantly damaged, wounds and skin inflammation are formed.There is a risk of infection with subsequent infection of the blood.The most common and most serious complication is the transition from a benign to a malignant neoplasm.
Because of this, it is imperative to treat papillomatosis. Armpit papillomas are a dangerous and unpleasant disease that causes mental and physical discomfort. The cause of the growths is HPV and treatment should aim to suppress it and boost the immune system.