From time to time, the human body is able to tell its owner about certain pathologies in the body. Skin growths on the body of different sizes, densities, roughness - this is a signal that something is wrong in the body. The location and features of neoplasms on the skin can tell a lot about the patient’s health status. What is the reason for the appearance of growths on the body? What methods of therapy for such defects exist?
Varieties of formations on the surface of the skin
In dermatology, several types of skin formations are distinguished. Some of them are absolutely safe and pass without a trace, without causing any serious inconvenience to their owner. Others indicate serious health problems, are harbingers of cancer.
Types of growths on the body:
- Borderline - these are formations that can develop over time into a malignant form (for example, skin horn, dermatosis or Bowen's disease, xeroderma pigmentosa).
- Skin formations of a malignant nature that relate to a cancerous tumor. They are small growths that are randomly located on the epidermis layer. Often able to metastasize to any part of the body, organs and systems (liposarcoma, basal cell carcinoma, sarcoma, melanoma).
- Skin formations of a benign nature, are not able to harm the body and human health. In some cases, they are a source of discomfort, hypochondria, and pain (fibroma, mole, papilloma, hemangioma, lymphangioma).
In appearance, even an experienced dermatologist or oncologist cannot determine the type of education with accuracy. Most often, special studies are needed, the particle sampling of the neoplasm biomaterial in order to establish for sure the nature of its development.
Skin formations of benign nature
The cells of these epidermal formations retain their initial functionality by half and have rather slow growth rates. Most often, growths on the skin of a body of a benign nature do not pose any threat to health. If desired, the patient can easily be removed using modern physiotherapeutic agents or burning solutions based on celandine. Before self-removal, a consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.
Varieties of growths on the human body (benign nature):
- Fibroma is most often diagnosed in women under the age of forty. It is a benign tumor. Its composition is connective fibrous tissue. Fibroma is most often of medium size, does not grow and never forms conglomerates. In diameter, it most often reaches three to four centimeters. It looks like a small nodule protruding above the surface of the epidermis. The color of the fibroma is dark, sometimes blue or black. When pressed with a finger fibroma, it usually falls into the skin and does not cause any pain.
- Lipoma. This growth on the body is popularly called a wen. It is a tumor of the fat layer, which is located under the skin in its connective loose tissue. Externally, wen resemble nodules (cones) of different sizes without a rough surface. On top of the wen is covered with smooth skin, over time it can become rougher. This happens in places where the lipoma is constantly in contact with clothing or shoes. Grids do not deliver any pain to their owner. In very rare cases, they can degenerate into liposarcoma.
- Neurofibroma. Usually, a lot of age spots are formed around it on the body. Such a growth is an accumulation of cells of the nerve membranes that are located in the subcutaneous fat. The growth of neurofibromas on the surface of the skin is called neurofibromatosis. Most often, it has genetic causes.
A special group of benign skin lesions
If lipomas, fibromas and neurofibromas can "show off" on the body of its owner for years, then there is another subspecies of growths that appear for a short time. Most often, they leave the owner’s body as suddenly as they appeared. If desired, the patient can withdraw them using special therapeutic agents.
- Condyloma appears in the process of activation of the human papillomavirus in the body. Genital warts are usually located in the genital area and bring their owner acute pain. They are easily amenable to drug therapy. You can get rid of them in one visit to the physiotherapist's office. Threats to the patient’s life do not represent.
- Warts and papillomas are small growths on the body. Their diameter is rarely more than a centimeter. In some cases, warts can itch, cause burning and a source of pain. Papillomas do not cause such inconvenience. They appear, as a rule, as a result of a decrease in immunity and viral attacks on a weakened body. They are easily amenable to drug therapy. You can get rid of them in one visit to the physiotherapist's office. The most effective and painless remedy for warts today is laser burning.
- Atheroma. Outwardly, this growth resembles an inflamed papule. Appears due to blockage of the sebaceous gland. In some cases, it can reach one centimeter in diameter and cause pain to its owner when pressed. Most often it passes on its own, but in some cases you have to resort to the help of a dermatologist.
Malignant skin lesions
Growths on the human body of a malignant nature (those that could potentially cause death due to the formation of many metastases):
- Melanoma. Most often appears after the malignancy of nevi, moles, after their strong exposure or trauma. It may look like a pigmented spot, like a nevus or atheroma. The appearance of melanoma is quite diverse, so even an experienced dermatologist can make a mistake in the diagnosis. Melanomas are dangerous because they cause metastases in almost any organ, bone tissue, and muscles. Treatment is carried out using chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Basal cell carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma of the skin), which is formed from atypical basal cells of the skin. The beginning of the pathology is indicated by white nodules with a dry crust that appeared on the body. This process is also called basilioma. White growths on the body do not always indicate the presence of basal cell carcinoma. For an accurate diagnosis, you should undergo a professional examination by an oncologist.
- Liposarcoma This is a skin formation of a malignant nature, in which a lipoma can degenerate. At first, the patient does not notice any external differences, however, the neoplasm gradually grows, abnormal cells penetrate into neighboring tissues, and then metastasis begins (separation of abnormal cells from a group of their own and moving them with blood flow to any part of the human body). Only specific laboratory tests can determine the presence of such a disease.
- Angiosarcoma (or hemorrhagic sarcomatosis). It is a growth in the skin of a special property. Outwardly, they look like purple spots with no clear boundaries. Causes of formation: pathology of the epidermis, herpes type 8. This skin lesion of a malignant nature is often diagnosed in HIV-infected people.
Pre-oncological skin lesions
These are growths on the skin of the body, which after some time in most cases can degenerate into malignant:
- Dermal horn is a conical-shaped skin formation. Often, patients are bothered by vertical cone-shaped brown growths on the body. What it is? With a high degree of probability, it can be answered that this is a dermal horn. Only this growth has a characteristic curved vertical shape and has a brown color. With the appearance of such an formation on the surface of the body, you can not hesitate, you should contact an oncologist or dermatologist.
- Bowen's disease. It is a growth that forms inside the skin without overgrowing into the surrounding tissue. The appearance of such a formation at the initial stage is a blurry red-brown spot. It has no clearly defined boundaries. Most often found in men and women over fifty years of age. Education does not cause pain. If a growth of this kind appears on the body, then you must immediately contact an oncologist.
Warts and papillomas: main properties
Such skin lesions are present on the body in many people. What is the difference between a wart and papilloma? Are these growths on the body dangerous to human health?
Papilloma is an outgrowth of epithelial cells of the dermis. Most often, it has an unattractive appearance and is a rounded soft formation from light pink to dark brown. When pressed, it does not bring pain. It can appear on any part of the body in both children and adults. Papillomas are most often formed on the body of people with low immunity who have suffered stress or a serious illness.
Warts are small growths on the body. They are generally flat. In some cases, itching can hurt, become a source of discomfort and burning. Papillomas do not create such problems.
Both warts and papillomas often go away by themselves after the patient's immunity rises to the necessary levels. Both warts and papillomas are easily amenable to drug therapy. You can get rid of them very easily.
Physiotherapeutic treatments
Modern and effective methods of treating growths on the body, photos of which are presented in this article, are to use hardware methods:
- Electrocoagulation provides complete destruction of the growth cells under the influence of thermal destruction. Therapists recommend treating the cauterization site with an antiseptic. If after two procedures the growth on the body has not completely died out (which is rare), the electrocoagulation procedure can be repeated after a month. The exact dates will tell the dermatologist.
- Cryotherapy causes the death of growth cells under the influence of liquid nitrogen. The method is painless, helps in most cases after the first procedure.
- Laser photocoagulation. This is a safe and cheap way to get rid of almost any skin growth. For this procedure, it is not even necessary to go to the hospital, as many beauty salons provide laser therapy. Before the procedure, you must make sure that the growth is not malignant. Otherwise, interference is strictly prohibited.
- Medicinal electrophoresis with zinc does not contribute to rapid, but effective disposal of growths on the skin of any etiology. The procedure, as a rule, is carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist.
Celandine based products for burning out skin growths on the body
The most popular alternative medicine that burns out any growth on the skin is celandine juice. The drugstores Super Celandine, Celandine Plus have long been sold in pharmacies, which the manufacturer positions as a remedy for warts and papillomas.
It is possible to burn a growth on the skin at home, but the patient should be extremely careful. If you try to burn out a malignant formation, serious health problems can arise. Before using celandine, be sure to consult with an oncologist or dermatologist.
Creams and ointments for skin formations
From pink, pale or red growths on the body, the following ointments and creams are effective:
- Solcoseryl. It will soften the skin, reduce itching and burning. It can be used as a healing agent after physiotherapeutic or forced removal of moles, nevi, papillomas, warts. Available in the form of cream and ointment. The ointment is more effective, since it contains a larger percentage of the active substance.
- "Salicylic ointment." Most often effective in controlling warts. It is contraindicated in people with sensitive skin, as it can provoke the appearance of an allergic reaction. If the skin is oily, then the use of salicylic ointment, as a rule, does not cause inconvenience to the patient. People with dry and thin skin should choose a different remedy.
- "Ichthyol ointment." With regular use, it can completely burn out a mole and a wart. If there is a desire to quickly get rid of the growth, then you should use the ointment twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. It should be applied pointwise to the problem area. When applied, itching, tingling can be felt. Before removing a mole, wart or papilloma, you should always consult a dermatologist or oncologist.
- Bepanten. Available in the form of cream and ointment. It is used as a healing agent after physiotherapeutic removal of moles, nevi, papillomas, warts. "Bepanten" does not have burning properties, but it perfectly softens and nourishes the skin, contributes to the rapid healing of wounds after removal of growths of various etiologies.
Which specialist should be contacted for diagnosis
The patient should be alert and be sure to get an appointment with a specialist if the growths on the body have the following properties:
- Asymmetry of skin formation.
- The uneven, "torn" edges of the formation.
- Isolation of blood or mucus from the growth.
- Change in color or shade of the growth.
- Previously, education did not hurt, but it began to bring discomfort.
First you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist. If there is no such specialist in the local clinic, you should contact the nearest dermatovenerologic dispensary for a coupon.
At the reception, the doctor conducts an objective (visual) examination, palpates the skin formation. Most patients need to undergo the following studies to make sure that the growth is not cancerous in nature:
- Biopsy (incision or excision of the growth for the collection of biomaterial).
- Dermatoscopy (examination of skin lesions using backlight and a special cream).
- Histological examination (a mole or part of it is examined under a special microscope).
- Computer diagnostics (carried out using special equipment).
If as a result of the inspection it turned out that the skin lesion is of a malignant nature, the patient is referred for consultation with an oncologist, surgeon, and oncodermatologist. With these specialists, a sick person will receive guidance on further actions to maintain their health.