How to distinguish papillomas from genital warts?

Papillomas and warts are small growths on the skin of a viral nature. You need to be able to distinguish them in order to spot potentially dangerous formations in a timely manner and take the necessary precautions. The main thing that distinguishes papilloma from condyloma is the type of virus.

Causes of neoplasms

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than a hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through domestic contact or unprotected sex. It is possible for a baby to be infected from the mother while passing through the birth canal.

The formation of growths indicates the rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. It occurs under the influence of a virus, the activation of which in most cases is associated with a decrease in immune protection. Depending on the strain, papillomas or warts appear on the body.

Characteristic signs of papillomas

Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that causes no discomfort other than aesthetic. Characteristic features of papillomas:

  • Soft homogeneous structure;
  • The presence of a foot;
  • 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. Typically, the color of the growth changes from the natural skin tone to pinkish-red, however, highly pigmented papillomas are also not a pathology. Hair growth on the body of the papilloma is the norm option.

Flat papillomas on the face

Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not interfere with the patient and are not accidentally injured in daily life. The formation of these types of growths is due to the action of virus strains 2, 7 and 28. You can become infected with this type of HPV in your daily life and during sex.

Characteristics of genital warts

There are two types of warts - pointed and wide. The first type appears with HPV infection and extensive formations are one of the symptoms of syphilis.

The sites of localization of genital warts are mucous membranes, mainly the urogenital area, as well as skin folds that are subject to friction with respect to clothing.

The structure of the genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stem, the formations are fed by small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, warts are often inflamed, an increase in body ulcers is possible.

Genital warts are caused by strains of the virus 16, 18, 54. This type of HPV is potentially dangerous, especially for women. There is a direct link between these types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.

How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?

The external difference between the formations is easily noticeable in the photo - the papillomas are homogeneous, while the warts have a finely papillary structure.

  1. The difference between papilloma and warts lies in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be highly pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membranes.
  2. HPV, which causes papillomas to develop, is transmitted through household contact, personal hygiene, and even hand-wringing (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts are only sexually transmitted.
  3. Warts light up. Papillomas can increase in size, acquire signs of inflammation, and hurt, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
  4. The shape of the papillomas is predominantly a round or oval "head" located on a soft stem. Condyloma has irregular contours, can be located in clusters. Genital warts are characterized by narrowing from the stem to the end, which makes it possible to distinguish them from papillomas.
  5. The appearance of different types of growths is caused by different strains of the virus.
Papillomas and warts on the body

It is important to remember the main difference between papillomas and warts - the growths on the genitals and mucous membranes must be removed.

Why is growth dangerous?

Papillomas and warts are conventionally considered safe neoplasms of the skin, but the risk of benign cells degenerating into malignant cells is higher in the second case.

Warts are skin manifestations of the action of viral oncogenic types. Years of research have found a link between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis with subsequent 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 genitalia, but also on the vagina and cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, condyloma receives sufficient nutrition and can grow rapidly. In gynecology there are cases when condyloma located on the vaginal wall has grown to 10 cm in diameter.

Removal testimonials

Warts should be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is primarily due to the risk of infection of the sexual partner.

Removal of papillomas on the skin, if not, is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of degeneration of benign papillomas into oncological neoplasms increases with increasing damage to the body. This can be caused by accidentally damaging the nails or washing them during hygienic procedures.

You should consult a dermatologist if:

  • The papilloma increased significantly in size;
  • Discomfort is felt when pressing;
  • Bleeding or purulent discharge is noted;
  • The skin around the growth becomes inflamed.

Removing the accumulation is a matter of five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis will allow timely detection of the onset of cell degeneration and halt the development of oncology.

How is the removal done?

Any growth on the skin should be removed by a professional. Self-cauterization of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removal of genital warts at home is strictly prohibited.

See your doctor for papillomas and warts

A number of examinations are necessary before the procedure. First of all, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the appearance of the neoplasms.

With multiple condyloma, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and regulate the immune system to fight HPV. Ointments with immunostimulants (for example, interferon-based preparations) help to get rid of genital warts. Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allow you to successfully fight the growths on the walls of the vagina.

Methods of removing accumulation:

  • Cryodestruction;
  • Electrocoagulation;
  • Laser burning;
  • Remove with a radio knife;
  • Cut out with a scalpel.

When the genital warts are removed, the tissues obtained as a result of the procedure are sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgical excision or laser removal is indicated.

Electrocoagulation is the cauterization of neoplasms. The method works well to get rid of small papillomas.

Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms on the skin, but not on the mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is used for growth, which causes cell necrosis, resulting in the papilloma simply disappearing.

Radio wave removal or a radio knife is an effective and almost painless method of removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, neoplasm cells are destroyed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

Laser burns of genital warts have been shown in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantage of the method is the 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. Complete recovery of the epidermis occurs within 5-7 days after removal.

Folk remedies for the removal of genital warts are not used due to the high risk of damage to the mucous membranes by aggressive components of the composition. Alkaline pharmaceuticals are also prohibited.

To find out how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help. It is advisable to consult a doctor if the lumps appear on the genitals and do not try to remove them yourself.