Papule is a formation on the skin that rises slightly above the level of the skin. Sometimes such a rash appears on the mucous membranes. Papules are small in size, they are well palpable. The color of the formations can be different - from white to dark brown. A dermatologist is involved in the treatment of such pathological elements.
Description
Papula - what is it? In medicine, it is customary to call any skin rash papules, but only certain formations enter this terminology:
- towering over the skin;
- reminiscent of balls;
- measuring from a few millimeters to 3 cm.
If the diameter of the formation exceeds 1 cm, then it is customary to call it a nodule.
When a little papule is pressed, it immediately becomes pale. Sometimes education is accompanied by suppuration and swelling. But unlike the pustules of the white head, such nodules do not.
Principle of occurrence
The immune system is always in a state of strict control of all processes in the human body. Her reaction to any inflammatory process causes the formation of papules. When sebum accumulates in the pores, ducts, it provokes the expansion of pores and the appearance of microcysts. If any external effect on such a cyst occurs (for example, a person tries to squeeze out a pimple that prevents him, mechanical cleaning occurs), then its walls are torn, and all the contents fall into neighboring tissues. Such a gap sometimes occurs independently, without outside help. The immune system responds to the situation, aseptic inflammation appears, and eventually a nodule forms.
Papule is a formation that can occur for one of the following reasons:
- thickening of one of the layers of the skin;
- neoplasm of any nature;
- inflammatory process in the dermis.
Kinds
The defeat can be of varying degrees. Based on this, in medicine there is a certain classification:
- Superficial papule. This is a formation that is localized in the upper layer of the dermis, the epidermis. Such a rash does not cause discomfort, pain. The size of superficial papules is small - 1–5 mm. Color ranges from pink to dark red. After disappearance, this type of skin rash leaves no residue. Sometimes a pigmented spot may appear on the skin, which after a while passes without assistance.
- Deep knots. The size of such formations exceeds 5 mm. When probing, a person feels discomfort, pain. The color scheme of deep nodes - from red to dark blue. Papule on the skin of this kind does not pass without a trace. Scars remain after it.
- Cyst. This type of papule is considered the most difficult. If the contents of the infiltrate do not come out completely, then a capsule is formed, filled with pus or sebum, which is called a cyst. Sometimes a secondary infection joins, which as a result provokes inflammation and suppuration of the contents of the capsule. There are cysts in which there are several chambers.
Papules are divided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory. Inflammatory papule is accompanied by swelling of the skin, vasodilation. If you press it, it will immediately turn pale.
Depending on the shape of the papules are divided into:
Diagnosis and treatment
Many people care about the question: is papule dermatology? Which doctor is examining her? The answer is simple: a dermatologist. First of all, the doctor will carefully examine the papule, determine its appearance. Sometimes nodules indicate the presence of diseases such as chickenpox, dermatitis and other skin problems. Therefore, it is so important to seek medical help and not self-medicate.
How is papule treated? It depends on the cause of its occurrence. If microbes provoked its appearance, then the doctor should prescribe an antibacterial agent in the form of an ointment or cream.
It is sometimes recommended to lubricate the nodules with iodine. If the lesions are significant, cover large areas of the skin, then the doctor often prescribes drugs for internal use.
Sometimes, to remove papules, they resort to:
- cryotherapy;
- laser coagulation;
- cosmetic surgical methods.
With minor lesions, the patient is recommended to use recipes of traditional medicine. In such cases, sea buckthorn oil, aloe juice, mummy helps well. But you can not choose the method of treatment yourself, even the most harmless. It is necessary to discuss all the details with a dermatologist who will explain the concept of “papule”, what it is and how it is treated.