Papillomas are small benign tumors that appear in various parts of the human body. They can occur suddenly at any age without causing physical suffering. People experience mental discomfort due to such unexpected surprises and wonder: where do papillomas come from?
Main culprit
It causes the appearance of annoying neoplasmshuman papillomavirus.Once inside the body, it actively multiplies in epithelial cells and causes a disease called papillomatosis. Today, more than 100 types are known, among which there are particularly insidious types that contribute to the malignant transformation of initially peaceful papillomas.
It is interesting that the vast majority of the population (about 90%) are carriers of this virus. In humans, it persists for a lifetime and does not cause the development of specific immunity.
In order to fully examine the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the human body, this process must be divided into two stages:
- Penetration of the causative agent of papilloma into the body.
- Virus activation.
How does the papillomavirus enter the body?
Sexual tract
This is the most common way for the virus to pass from an infected person to an uninfected partner. Until recently, it was practically the only one.
Most often, viral infection occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse. Sometimes a single intimate contact is enough for infection. The mucous membrane becomes the gateway through which the virus spreads to other organs.
The probability of infection does not depend on the type of sexual contact. It is not excluded during both traditional and oral or anal contact. There is a possibility of transmission of the virus during intimate relationships between homosexual couples.
Safe sex is not a panacea for infections. Even condoms do not always protect against this common disease. It happens that the pathogens of the virus are not present on the genitals themselves, but on the body, in the groin area. During intimate contact, such places are usually not protected.
The first sign that indicates that the virus has entered the body through this mode of transmission is the appearance of genital warts (anogenital warts) in the genital area.
From mother to child
This transfer method is possible in the following cases:
- Intrauterine infection of the baby. Such situations are quite rare, but medical science knows about them. The papillomavirus tends to penetrate the placenta.
- If a woman has papillomas on the external genitalia, the child can become infected without passing through the birth canal. During childbirth, this virus is almost always transmitted from mother to child.
Household mode
Such cases occur much less often, but there is still a chance of papilloma. The causative agent of papillomas is not only very active. In theory, it is present everywhere: in public transport, offices, hospitals, shops, schools and kindergartens.
In some cases, a single contact with the virus carrier is enough for a surprise to appear in the form of a new growth on the skin. Therefore, getting to know him in everyday life is a very real possibility.
How does this happen?
Through household items.The papillomavirus can spread when a virus carrier and a healthy person use the same cleaning agents and hygiene products. Sometimes even a simple handshake can cause infection.
- In public places.Baths, saunas, and swimming pools are particularly dangerous in this respect, because pathogenic microorganisms spread quickly in humid environments. There is a chance that gym lovers will also be in for an unpleasant surprise. When visiting such places, you should especially carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene.
The risk of infection in these cases increases sharply if there is even a minor skin injury. They become a kind of gate through which the causative agent of papilloma immediately enters the body.
- Auto infection.As a result of normal hygiene procedures (shaving, nail clipping), papillomas can appear in new places on the human body. Even minor damage to the skin provides a comfortable environment for the virus to enter and multiply.
By attempting to remove existing tumors on their own, people contribute to the spread of the virus to other, non-infected areas of the body. This is especially common in children. After a short time, new growths appear on the skin, their number exceeds the original.
Stealth and fraud
A distinctive feature of the papillomavirus is that a person does not know that he is infected for a long time. The virus lives quietly in your body without manifesting itself in any way.
When it enters the body, the causative agent of papilloma does not spread to internal organs and systems, but remains in the deep layers of the skin. This friendly neighborhood can last for years. An infected person may only occasionally feel a mild itch or tingling sensation on their skin.
It is believed that in this state the virus is not spread to others.
If the immune system is fully functioning, at this stage the virus can be defeated and the development of the disease will not occur.
Awaken the sleeping monster
At some point, the virus, peacefully dormant in the body, receives a signal for action and begins to manifest itself actively.
What are the reasons for activation?
- Reduced immunity;
- hormonal changes in the body;
- Age-related changes (old age).
Let's examine each of these reasons in detail.
Reduced immunity
Once inside the body, the virus cannot immediately take over, because at this moment the immune system is activated - the body's ability to resist the entry of any foreign agent.
As long as the immune system is fully functioning and performs its protective functions, the effect of the virus is suppressed. It turns out that the enemy is not completely defeated, but weakened and in no condition to do any harm.
The insidious virus waits for the right moment to show itself in all its glory. This possibility occurs at the slightest weakening of the immune system.
What weakens a person's immune system?
- Chronic stress.Any stress is accompanied by the release of large amounts of hormones in the blood. It is a natural defense mechanism to mobilize the body's physical forces and reactions. However, the functioning of the immune system is temporarily suppressed.
If stress is chronic, there is a continuous suppression of the immune system, which is no longer able to fully perform its protective functions.
- Lack of adequate rest.When you rest, your body recovers. All physiological processes are normalized. Internal systems begin to work with renewed vigor, and the immune system is no exception.
- An unbalanced diet.If the body does not receive the required amount of valuable protein, it will automatically start redistributing its existing reserves. First, the muscles receive valuable substances. But the immune system will be forced to stay without the elements it needs. If at the same time a vitamin deficiency is discovered, a decrease in immunity is simply inevitable.
- Long-term illnesses, especially those accompanied by antibiotic use.In this case, the cells of the immune system are damaged and weakened. It is especially dangerous if the disease was not treated thoroughly, but only the symptoms were softened with fast-acting drugs. Long-term use of drugs also sometimes results in the papillomavirus receiving a signal to act.
- Bad habits.Smoking, drinking alcohol, using narcotic and toxic substances and other similar addictions cause irreparable damage to the immune system and thereby contribute to the activation of the virus.
Hormonal changes in the body
Hormones are regulators of many reactions in the human body. Failures occurring for some reason in the hormonal sphere trigger the appearance of neoplasms.
Several studies have shown that human papillomavirus is hormone-dependent. It is activated when there is a change in the body's estrogen metabolism. Estrogen is a female sex hormone, so women are more prone to the appearance of papillomas due to hormonal imbalance.
- Pregnancy.Very often, changes in the female body during this period activate the dormant virus. Papillomas can appear on the hands, face, neck and armpits. Weight gain and sweating contribute to their more active spread. Clothing that becomes tighter during pregnancy creates friction between the fabric and the body, which leads to the appearance of additional tumors.
- Adolescence.During this period, the body undergoes rapid hormonal changes associated with puberty. In the background of such processes, neoplasms can also appear in various parts of the body in adolescence, in addition to traditional youthful acne.
- Taking hormonal drugs.Some of them interfere with the formation of skin fibers as a side effect, thereby increasing the risk of unwanted growth on the body.
- Menopause in women. Women in their 40s go through major hormonal changes known as menopause. Even an ideally healthy woman at this age is at risk of discovering previously undetected tumors.
- Abortion, any gynecological disease.The activity and hormonal status of all organs of the human reproductive system are related. Therefore, any problem with the reproductive system is a risk factor that contributes to the activation of the papillomavirus.
Old age
In humans, during this period, there is an age-related decrease in the activity of the immune system, as a result of which the virus enters an active phase. In the elderly, papillomas sometimes spread throughout the body.
Knowing the reasons for the appearance of these annoying neoplasms, you can minimize the possibility of getting acquainted with them.
Prevention of the formation of papillomas on the human body
- Ordered sex life, regular sexual partner, contraception during occasional sexual intercourse, showering after intimate intercourse. We recommend that both partners regularly attend gynecologist and urologist examinations.
- Observe the necessary personal hygiene measures, especially when visiting public places. Follow the simple rules: keep your hands clean, shower after visiting the pool or the gym.
- Choosing a healthy lifestyle, taking into account a well-structured diet.
- Compliance with working and rest hours.
- Timely examination of the hormonal state of the body, and then taking measures to normalize it (if necessary).
The virus is activated: papillomas appear
After activation, the virus becomes known through the formation of papillomas. The most typical places for their appearance are the perineum, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, as well as the armpits. In obese people, tumors can appear in skin folds all over the body.
Why do the growths appear here? The folds of the skin, where sweat and, accordingly, moisture accumulates, are ideal places for sabotage by an insidious enemy. After activation, the virus is able to create a complete papilloma nucleus.
Defeat the enemy
The sudden appearance of any incomprehensible growth is a reason to see a doctor, even if they do not cause discomfort aesthetically. Cases are known when papillomas turn into malignant tumors, so it is worth immediately preventing the possibility of such events.
Many strains of the virus are conditionally divided into three groups:
- Strains that do not cause cancer.
- Strains that can cause cancer, but the probability of such degeneration is quite low.
- Those strains that are most likely to lead to malignancy.
This problem should not be taken lightly, but medical help should be sought.
Currently, the treatment of this disease consists of two components: surgical and conservative.
With the help of a small surgical intervention, the entire colony of papillomas is removed, and then the resulting biological material is studied to determine its strain. There are several ways to remove tumors: liquid nitrogen, scalpel, electrocoagulation, laser.
In parallel with the removal of the growth, therapy is prescribed to maintain the body's immune system.
Many people, wary of minimal and painless surgical intervention, prefer to live with papillomas for many years or resort to dubious treatment methods.
Diagnosis and treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor based on the test results. Depending on where the tumor is located on the body, a scraping or smear is taken.
Only timely consultation with a doctor guarantees proper treatment and getting rid of annoying growths.