Papilloma is a benign tumor that grows on the mucous membranes and skin integuments. The formation of benign growths occurs after the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the body . For a long time, papillomas, being in the cells of the human body, may not make themselves felt. From the moment of HPV infection to the appearance of growths on the body , several years can pass.
Causes of papillomas
Naturally, the main reason for the formation of growths is HPV, but the carrier of the disease for a long time may not even suspect the presence of the disease. There are certain factors that provoke the development of growths on the body.
Papillomas of the cause of appearance have the following:
- stress and depression;
- promiscuous sex life;
- reduced immunity;
- chronic infectious diseases;
- prolonged use of antibiotics;
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- rest in public places: baths, beaches, saunas, pools, etc.
As you can see, there are not so few reasons. Although papillomas have the most diverse causes, the combination of several factors described above, the number of benign neoplasms on the body can increase several times.
Types of Papillomas
There are over a hundred types of human papillomas. But, fortunately, only five of them appear on human skin and mucous membranes.
The main varieties of benign growths:
- Simple neoplasms that occur on the hands. Such growths can exist for several decades, and then disappear without a trace. They are most often found in children in their teens.
- Flat papillomas that form on the hands, face and neck.
- Plantar neoplasms, giving the patient severe pain when walking.
- Filamentous papillomas, which are most often formed in older people. Neoplasms are localized in the eye area, as well as under the armpits, on the neck and groin.
- Genital growths or condylomas. Such benign tumors occur on the genitals and pose the greatest danger, since they can degenerate into a cancerous tumor.
Most often, growths have a soft structure and flesh or dark flesh color. But sometimes papillomas turn black and begin to hurt. Let's try to understand the reasons for the color change of tumors.
Causes of blackening
Papillomas can turn black in the following cases:
- Injury of growths.
- The beginning of the infectious process.
- Tight, tight clothes or shoes rubbing flat papillomas.
- Taking certain medications can cause blackening of the growths (necrosis of the tumor tissue).
- Cauterization of warts with liquid nitrogen, alkali, phenol or acetic acid.
- The formation of hemangiomas.
- Restoring hormonal balance and improving the immune status of the body, so that the papillomas turn black and fall off.
- The growths can turn black due to the fact that from benign degenerate into malignant.
In addition, an infection that has entered the outgrowth through a wound or fissure can affect the color of the wart. In general, if the papilloma is blackened, then its tissue is dying.
In any case, if the growth began to change color, you need to immediately go to a doctor for a consultation. Especially it is not worth delaying a visit if the appearance of the neoplasm has changed for no apparent reason.
What to do if the growth has turned black and withered?
Oncologists and dermatologists recommend in any case, immediately after the appearance of growths on the skin and mucous membranes, to remove them. But most of our compatriots are in no hurry to resort to the advice of doctors until the neoplasms begin to manifest themselves with various symptoms. And then they run to the doctor and ask the question: "The papilloma has turned black - what does this mean and what needs to be done?"
Most often, growths that change color gradually dry up and fall away. If this happens, it is imperative to sanitize the place of growth detachment so that the infectious process does not begin.
If skin changes are not observed at the site of the wart that has fallen off, then, most likely, the focus of the virus has died and the disease in this place will not regenerate.
And if the neoplasm withered and blackened, but did not disappear, then you can not do without a doctor’s consultation. To find out the cause of the "behavior" of the growth, the doctor will prescribe the necessary tests and develop an effective treatment tactic.
Which doctor should I go to and when is the best time to do this?
The reason for the visit to the doctor may be a change in the color or structure of the warts, as well as the multiple growth of growths. When the papilloma has turned black, you need not to delay a visit to the doctor.
A doctor specializing in the treatment and removal of growths of a viral nature may be of a certain specialization:
- A proctologist and gynecologist treat or remove growths on the genitals and in the anus.
- A dermatologist or surgeon excise neoplasms from exposed areas of the skin.
- When genital warts are formed, male representatives turn to a urologist for help.
- Breasts on the mammary glands are treated by a mammologist.
- An otolaryngologist or dentist treats papillomas on the tongue and mucous membrane of the mouth.
- The ophthalmologist removes a tumor located in the eye.
Diagnostics
Nowadays, there are many methods that allow you to detect the HPV virus in the human body, as well as determine how dangerous it is to the health of the carrier.
The most common methods include:
- HPV analysis by polymerase chain reaction. This method allows you to recognize oncogenic viruses, as well as determine the type of growths, their quality and quantity.
- Cytological studies of growths.
- General analysis of blood and urine, scrapings from a gynecologist.
- Tissue biopsy for cancer cells.
- Colposcopy and ultrasound diagnostics.
- Digene test
Papilloma treatment
Benign neoplasms can be treated using various methods. If the papilloma is blackened, then most often it is removed using the following methods:
- Laser removal.
- Drug removal (keratolytics or salicylic acid).
- Cryodestruction (liquid nitrogen, freezing growth).
- Radiosurgical removal.
- Thermocoagulation.
If a human papillomavirus was detected in the body, then the patient is prescribed a conservative treatment aimed at increasing immunity: Amiksin, Genferon, Immunomax, Viferon, etc. If the cervix is affected by neoplasms, the gynecologist ascribes to the woman special ointments that suppress the growth of papillomas.
HPV treatment should be comprehensive.
Prevention
It is much more difficult to cure benign neoplasms that appear on the skin and mucous membranes than to prevent their appearance. Knowing the cause of the growths, you can protect your body from infection with the HPV virus. For this, it is necessary to systematically carry out a set of measures aimed at strengthening the body, as well as adhere to the basic rules of personal hygiene.
Since no one is safe from the human papillomavirus, it is necessary to monitor your health and strengthen immunity. If growths nevertheless appeared, do not delay the visit to the doctor, who, having carried out the necessary diagnostic examinations, will determine the type of HPV and prescribe effective treatment.
We hope that the tips given in our article will help minimize the risk of developing such a disease. Be healthy!