Papillomas and condylomas are small growths of viral-type skin. You need to be able to distinguish between them in order to notify timely configurations of potentially dangerous configurations and take the necessary measures. The main thing that distinguishes between papilloma and condyloma is the type of virus-pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than one hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through family contact or unprotected intercourse. The baby can become infected from the mother as it passes through the birth canal.
The formation of growths indicates the rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. This occurs under the influence of viruses, the activation of which in most cases is associated with a decrease in immune protection. Depending on the pressure, papillomas or condylomas appear on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that does not cause discomfort, other than aesthetic. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- homogeneous soft structure;
- leg presence;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are localized to any part of the body, except the mucous membranes of the genitals. The color of growth usually changes from a natural skin tone to a pink-red shade, however, very pigmented papillomas are also not pathology. Hair growth on a papilloma body is a variation of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous unless they interfere with the patient and are not accidentally injured in daily life. This type of growth formation is due to the activity of the virus stages 2, 7 and 28. You may become infected with these types of HPV in daily life and during sexual intercourse.
Features of genital warts
There are two types of warts - pointed and wide growth. The first type is seen with HPV infection, and widespread growth is one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The localized sites of genital warts are mucous membranes, mainly of the urogenital area, as well as skin folds that are subject to friction against clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stem, the growths are fed through small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, condylomas are often inflamed, ulceration of the body can grow.
Genital warts are caused by 16, 18, 54 strains of the virus. These types of HPV can be dangerous, especially for women. These types of viruses are directly related to the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish between papilloma and genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easy to notice in the photo - the papillomas are homogeneous, while the condylomas have a smooth papillary structure.
- The difference between papilloma and warts is in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be very pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and differs from the mucous membranes.
- HPV, which stimulates the development of papillomas, is transmitted through household contact, using personal hygiene products, and even through hand shaking (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts are not sexually transmitted.
- Warts become inflamed. Papillomas can grow in size, get signs of inflammation and injury, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- The shape of papillomas mostly consists of a round or oval "head" located on a soft stem. Condylomas have irregular outlines, which can be arranged in clusters. For genital warts, narrowing from the stem to the end is characteristic, which makes them indistinguishable from papillomas.
- Different types of the virus have different growths.
It is important to remember the main difference between papilloma and warts - growth of the genitals and mucous membranes must be removed.
Why are growths dangerous?
Papillomas and condylomas are generally considered safe neoplasms of the skin, but the risk of degeneration of benign cells into malignant cells is higher in the latter case.
Condylomas are an isolated manifestation of the oncogenic action of the virus. Years of research have identified a relationship between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis of further removal of genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer in women.
The growths can be located not only on the skin and external genitals, but also in the vagina and cervix. Due to the remarkable characteristics of blood circulation in the genitals, condyloma receives a lot of nutrition and can grow rapidly. In gynecology, there are cases where condylomas located on the wall of the vagina have grown up to 10 cm in diameter.
Indications for removal
Warts need to be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is mainly due to the risk of infection of the sexual partner.
Removal or removal of papillomas located on the skin is a personal matter for all patients. The risk of degenerating benign papillomas in an oncological neoplasm increases when the growing body is damaged. This can be done by rubbing clothes, accidental damage from nails or washing cloth during hygiene procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- papilloma size has increased dramatically;
- when pressed, discomfort is felt;
- purulent bleeding or discharge is noted;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
Removing the build is five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis will allow the timely onset of cell degeneration and stop the development of oncology.
How are constructions removed?
A professional should remove any skin growth. Self-warning of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removal of genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.
Prior to the procedure, a series of examinations are required. First, the patient’s blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the appearance of the neoplasms.
With multiple condylomas, antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy is prescribed to the patient. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and tune the immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, ointments with immunostimulant in the composition (for example, interferon-based drugs) help. Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allow you to successfully fight against growth on the walls of the vagina.
Methods for removing constructions:
- cryodestruction;
- electro-heating;
- laser burning;
- touching a radio knife;
- excision with scalpel.
Once genital warts are removed, the tissues obtained as a result of the procedure are sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgical examination or laser removal is indicated.
Electro-heating involves chewing on neoplasms. The method worked well to remove small papillomas.
Cross-construction is used to remove neoplasms on the skin, but not on mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth, resulting in cell necrosis, as a result of which the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave removal or a radio knife is an effective and almost painless method for removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, the cells of the neoplasm are destroyed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser incineration of genital warts is indicated in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantages of the method are cauterization of the vessels and capillaries that feed the formation. As a result of exposure, no traces remain on the skin, the risk of bleeding is excluded. The epidermis is completely restored after removal within 5-7 days.
To remove genital warts, folk remedies are not used because of the high risk that aggressive components of the composition will damage the mucous membranes. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
To find out how different warts are from papillomas, a photo will help. It is recommended to consult a doctor if formations appear on the genitals, and not try to remove them yourself.