Papillomas are small benign neoplasms that appear in various parts of the human body. They can appear suddenly at any age without causing physical distress. People experience psychological discomfort from such unexpected surprises and wonder: where do papillomas come from?
Main culprit
Causes the appearance of annoying neoplasmshuman papilloma virus.Once inside the body, it actively multiplies in the epithelial cells and causes a disease called papillomatosis. Today, more than 100 of its varieties are known, among which there are particularly insidious types that contribute to the malignant degeneration of initially peaceful papillomas.
It is curious that the majority of the population (about 90%) are carriers of this virus. It persists in people for life and does not cause the formation of specific immunity.
In order to fully consider the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the human body, this process must be divided into two stages:
- Penetration of the papilloma pathogen into the body.
- Activation of the virus.
How does the papilloma virus enter the body?
Sexual tract
This is the most common way for the virus to enter the body of an uninfected partner from an infected person. Until recently, it was considered practically the only one.
Most often, infection with the virus occurs during unprotected intercourse. Sometimes one intimate contact is enough to get infected. The mucous membrane becomes the very door 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 in both traditional and oral or anal contacts. There is a possibility of transmission of the virus during intimate relations between homosexual couples.
Safe sex is not a panacea for infection. Even condoms cannot always protect against this common disease. It happens that the causative agents 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 signal indicating that the virus has entered the body through this method of transmission will be the appearance of genital warts (anogenital warts) located in the genital area.
From mother to child
This method of transfer is possible in the following cases:
- Intrauterine infection of the baby. Such situations are quite rare, but medicine knows about them. The papilloma virus 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 passed from mother to child.
Household way
Such cases are much less common, but there is still a chance of getting a papilloma this way. The causative agent of papillomas is not only very active. Theoretically, it is everywhere: in public transport, in offices, hospitals, shops, schools and kindergartens.
In some cases, one touch with a carrier of the virus is enough to cause a surprise in the form of new skin growth. Therefore, getting to know him in everyday life is a very real prospect.
how does this happen
Through household items.Papilloma viruses can be transmitted if a virus carrier and a healthy person use the same toilets and hygiene products. Sometimes even a simple handshake can cause infection.
- In public places.Baths, saunas and swimming pools are particularly dangerous in this regard, as pathogenic microorganisms tend to spread rapidly in moist environments. There's a chance fitness buffs will also be in for a nasty 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 minor damage to the skin. They become a kind of door through which the causative agent of the papilloma immediately enters the body.
- Autoinfection.Papillomas can appear in new places on the human body as a result of normal hygiene procedures (shaving, nail trimming). Even minor damage to the skin provides a convenient environment for the introduction and reproduction of the virus.
By attempting to self-remove an existing tumor, 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, and their number exceeds the original.
Stealth and deception
A distinctive feature of the papilloma virus is that a person may not know that he is infected for a long time. The virus lives quietly in his body without showing 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. Only sometimes the infected person may feel a slight itching or tingling of the skin.
It is believed that in this state the virus is not transmitted to other people.
If the immune system is fully functioning, at this stage the virus can be defeated and the development of the disease will not follow.
Awaken the sleeping monster
At some point, the virus, peacefully sleeping in the body, receives a signal to act and begins to actively manifest itself.
What are the reasons for activation?
- Reduced immunity;
- Hormonal changes in the body;
- Age-related changes (old age).
Let's look at each of these reasons in detail.
Reduced immunity
Once in the body, the virus cannot immediately take over, because at that moment the immune system is activated - the body's ability to resist the introduction of any foreign agents.
As long as the immune system is fully functioning, performing its protective functions, the action of the virus is suppressed. It turns out that the enemy is not completely defeated, but weakened and unable to harm.
The insidious virus waits for the right moment to show itself in all its glory. This possibility appears 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 a large amount of hormones into the blood. It is a natural defense mechanism for mobilizing the body's physical forces and reactions. However, the functioning of the immune system is temporarily suppressed.
If the stress is chronic, there is a constant suppression of the immune system, which is no longer able to fully perform its protective functions.
- Lack of adequate rest.When a person rests, his 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 necessary amount of valuable proteins, it will automatically begin to redistribute its existing reserves. First of all, the muscles will receive valuable material. But the immune system will be forced to stay without the elements it needs. If at the same time a lack of vitamins is detected, a decrease in immunity is simply inevitable.
- Long-term illnesses, especially those accompanied by the use of antibiotics.In this case, the cells of the immune system are damaged and it weakens. It is especially dangerous if the disease has not been thoroughly treated, but only the symptoms have been silenced with the help of fast-acting means. Long-term use of drugs also sometimes leads to receiving a signal of action from the papilloma virus.
- Bad habits.Smoking, alcohol abuse, the use of narcotic and toxic substances and other similar addictions cause irreparable damage to the immune system and thus contribute to the activation of the virus.
Hormonal changes in the body
Hormones are regulators of many reactions occurring in the human body. Failures that occur in the hormonal sphere for some reason provoke the appearance of neoplasms.
A number of studies have shown that the human papillomavirus is hormone-dependent. It is activated if there are changes in the metabolism of estrogen in the body. Estrogen is a female sex hormone, so women are more susceptible to the appearance of papillomas due to hormonal imbalance.
- PregnancyVery often, the changes occurring in the woman's body during this period activate the latent virus. Papillomas can appear on the hands, face, neck and armpits. Gaining weight and sweating contribute to their more active spread. Clothes that become tighter during pregnancy create friction between the fabric and the body, leading to the appearance of additional tumors.
- Adolescence.During this period, the body undergoes rapid hormonal changes associated with puberty. Against the background of such processes, in addition to traditional youth acne, neoplasms can appear on various parts of the body in adolescents.
- Taking hormonal drugs.Some of them, as a side effect, disrupt the formation of skin fibers, thereby increasing the risk of unwanted formations on the body.
- Menopause in women. Women who have passed the age of 40 go through major hormonal changes called menopause. Even a perfectly healthy woman at this age runs the risk of finding neoplasms that were previously undetected.
- Abortion, any gynecological diseases.The activity of all organs of the human reproductive system and its hormonal status are interrelated. Therefore, all problems in the reproductive system are risk factors that contribute to the activation of the papilloma virus.
Old age
In humans, during this period, an age-related decrease in the activity of the immune system is observed, as a result of which the virus enters an active phase. Sometimes in the elderly, papillomas 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
- Organized sex life, regular sexual partner, use of contraception during casual sex, taking a shower after intimate contact. It is desirable that both partners undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist and urologist.
- Observe the necessary personal hygiene measures, especially when visiting public places. You should adhere to simple rules: keep your hands clean, take a shower after visiting the pool or the gym.
- Choosing a healthy lifestyle, taking into account a well-structured diet.
- Compliance with the regime of work and rest.
- Timely examination of the hormonal status of the body, followed by taking measures to normalize it (if necessary).
The virus is activated: papillomas appeared
After activation, the virus is manifested by the formation of papillomas. The most typical places for their appearance are the perineum, the palms of the hands and feet, and the armpit areas. In obese people, tumors can appear in skin folds all over the body.
Why do growths appear here? The folds of the skin, the places where sweat accumulates and, accordingly, moisture, are an ideal place for sabotage by an insidious enemy. Once activated, the virus is capable of generating entire outbreaks of papillomas.
Defeat the enemy
The sudden appearance of some incomprehensible growths is a reason to visit a doctor, even if they do not cause any discomfort, except for aesthetics. There are known cases of transformation of papillomas into malignant neoplasms, so it is worth immediately preventing this possibility of the development of events.
All the numerous strains of this 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.
- Strains most likely to lead to malignant tumor formation.
You should not take this problem lightly, you should seek medical help.
Currently, the treatment of this disease has two components: surgical and conservative.
With the help of a small surgical intervention, the entire colony of papillomas is removed, after which the resulting biological material is examined 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 support the body's immune system.
Many people who are afraid of minimal and painless surgical intervention prefer to live with papillomas for many years or resort to dubious methods of treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor based on the results of the tests. Depending on the location of the tumor on the body, a scraping or smear is taken.
Only a timely consultation with a doctor guarantees the correct treatment and the removal of annoying formations.