Papillomas are small benign tumors that appear in different parts of the human body. They can occur suddenly at any age without causing physical suffering. People experience psychological discomfort from such unexpected surprises and wonder: where do papillomas come from?
Main culprit
Causes the appearance of annoying neoplasmshuman papillomavirus.Once in the body, it actively multiplies in epithelial cells and causes a disease called papillomatosis. Today, more than 100 of its varieties are known, among which particularly insidious types are distinguished that contribute to the malignant degeneration of initially peaceful papillomas.
It is curious that the vast majority of the population (around 90%) carries this virus. It persists throughout life in humans 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 should be divided into two stages:
- Penetration of the papilloma pathogen into the body.
- Activation of viruses.
How does the papilloma virus enter the body?
Sexual apparatus
This is the most common route by which the virus enters the body of an uninfected partner from an infected person. Until recently, he was considered practically the only one.
Most often, infection with the virus occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse. Sometimes, just one intimate contact is enough to become infected. The mucous membrane becomes the very gateway through which the virus spreads to other organs.
The likelihood of infection does not depend on the type of sexual contact. It is not excluded either during traditional contacts or during oral or anal contacts. There is a possibility of transmission of the virus during intimate relationships between homosexual couples.
Protected sex is not a panacea against infection. Even condoms cannot always protect against this common illness. 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, these places are generally not protected.
The first signal indicating that the virus has entered the body through this mode of transmission will be the appearance of genital warts (anogenital warts) located 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 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 almost always passes from mother to child.
Domestic way
Such cases are much less common, but there is still a risk of getting a papilloma in this way. The causative agent of papillomas is not only very active. Theoretically, it is present everywhere: on public transport, in offices, hospitals, shops, schools and kindergartens.
In some cases, simple contact with a carrier of the virus is enough for a surprise to appear in the form of a new growth on the skin. Therefore, getting to know him on a daily basis is a very real prospect.
How can this happen?
Thanks to household items.Papilloma viruses can be transmitted if a virus carrier and a healthy person use the same toiletries and hygiene products. Sometimes even a simple handshake can cause an infection.
- In public places.Baths, saunas and swimming pools are particularly dangerous in this regard, because pathogenic microorganisms tend to spread quickly in a humid environment. Gym enthusiasts may also be in for a nasty surprise. When visiting such places, you should especially observe the rules of personal hygiene.
The risk of infection in these cases increases sharply in the event of even minor skin lesions. They become a kind of gate through which the causative agent of papilloma immediately enters the body.
- Self-infection.Papillomas can appear in new places in the human body as a result of normal hygiene procedures (shaving, nail trimming). Even minor skin lesions provide a comfortable environment for the introduction and reproduction of the virus.
By attempting to independently eliminate an existing tumor, people contribute to the spread of the virus to other, uninfected areas of the body. This is especially common in children. Soon after, new growths appear on the skin and their number exceeds the original ones.
The papillomavirus is transmitted quite easily (both in terms of modes of transmission and frequency of infection). This is why it is so widespread.
Stealth and deception
A distinctive feature of the papilloma virus is that a person may not realize that he is infected for a long time. The virus lives quietly in his body, without manifesting itself in any way.
When entering 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 an infected person may experience mild itching or tingling on the skin.
It is believed that in this state the virus is not transmitted to others.
If the immune system is fully functioning, the virus can be defeated at this stage and the disease will not develop.
Wake up the sleeping monster
At some point, the virus, peacefully asleep in the body, receives a signal for action and begins to actively manifest itself.
The appearance of neoplasms on various parts of the body occurs precisely after the activation of the virus.
What are the reasons for activation?
- Decreased immunity;
- Hormonal changes in the body;
- Age-related changes (old age).
Let’s look at each of these reasons in detail.
Decreased immunity
Once in the body, the virus cannot immediately take over, because that is when 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 and fulfills its protective functions, the effect of the virus is suppressed. It turns out that the enemy is not completely defeated, but is weakened and incapacitated.
The insidious virus is waiting for the right moment to show itself in all its glory. This opportunity 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 that mobilizes the body's physical forces and reactions. However, the functioning of the immune system is temporarily inhibited.
If stress is chronic, there is a constant suppression of the immune system, which is no longer able to fully fulfill its protective functions.
- Lack of adequate rest.When a person rests, their body recovers. All physiological processes return to normal. Internal systems begin to function with renewed vigor, and the immune system is no exception.
- Unbalanced diet.If the body does not receive the required amount of valuable protein, 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 find itself without the elements it needs. If at the same time a lack of vitamins is discovered, 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 alleviated with the help of fast-acting remedies. Long-term use of medications also sometimes leads to the papilloma virus receiving a signal for action.
- Bad habits.Smoking, alcohol abuse, consumption 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.
The listed factors deprive the body of a reliable protector and make it available to professionals.elimination of any viruses, including human papillomavirus.
Hormonal changes in the body
Hormones regulate many reactions occurring in the human body. Failures that occur in the hormonal sphere for any reason provoke the appearance of neoplasms.
A number of studies indicate that the human papillomavirus is hormone-dependent. It is activated if changes occur in estrogen metabolism in the body. Estrogen is a female sex hormone, so women are more susceptible to the appearance of papillomas due to hormonal imbalances.
- Pregnancy.Very often, changes occurring in a woman's 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 becomes tighter and tighter during pregnancy, creating friction between the fabric and the body, which leads to the appearance of additional tumors.
- Adolescence.During this time, the body undergoes rapid hormonal changes associated with puberty. Against the background of such processes, in addition to traditional juvenile acne, neoplasms can appear on different parts of the body in adolescents.
- Take hormonal medications.Some of them, as a side effect, disrupt the formation of skin fibers, thereby increasing the risk of unwanted growths on the body.
- Menopause in women. Women over the age of 40 experience major hormonal changes called menopause. Even a completely healthy woman at this age runs the risk of discovering previously undetected neoplasms.
- Abortion, any gynecological illness.The activity of all organs of the human reproductive system and its hormonal status are interconnected. Therefore, any problem in the reproductive system is a risk factor that contributes to the activation of the papilloma virus.
Age of the elderly
In people 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. Sometimes in older people, papillomas spread throughout the body.
Once in the human body, the papilloma virus, for several reasons, can become active after a while.
Knowing the reasons for the appearance of these annoying neoplasms, you can minimize the possibility of becoming aware of them.
Prevention of the formation of papillomas on the human body
- An orderly sex life, having a regular sexual partner, using contraception during casual sexual contact, taking a shower after intimate contact. Both partners are advised to undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist and urologist.
- Observe the necessary personal hygiene measures, especially when visiting public places. You must follow simple rules: keep your hands clean, take a shower after going to the swimming pool or the gym.
- Choose a healthy lifestyle, taking into account a well-structured diet.
- Compliance with the work and rest regime.
- Timely examination of the hormonal state of the body, followed by measures to normalize it (if necessary).
The measures listed above do not guarantee 100% protection against infection with the human papilloma virus, however, the risk of detecting unwanted tumors on the body will be significantly reduced.
The virus is activated: papillomas have appeared
After activation, the virus manifests itself by the formation of papillomas. The most typical places for their appearance are the perineum, palms of the hands and soles of the feet, as well as the armpit areas. In obese people, tumors can appear in skin folds all over the body.
Why do growths appear here? Skin folds, places where sweat and, consequently, moisture accumulate, are an ideal place for sabotage by an insidious enemy. Once activated, the virus is capable of generating entire foci of papillomas.
Defeat the enemy
The sudden appearance of incomprehensible growths is a reason to consult a doctor, even if they do not cause any discomfort other than aesthetic ones. There are known cases of transformation of papillomas into malignant neoplasms, so this possibility of development of events should be immediately prevented.
All numerous strains of this virus are conditionally divided into three groups:
- Strains that do not cause cancer.
- Strains that can cause cancer, but the likelihood of such degeneration is quite low.
- Strains most likely to lead to the formation of a malignant tumor.
You should not take this problem lightly; you must consult a doctor.
Currently, the treatment of this disease consists of two parts: 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 studied to determine its strain. There are several ways to remove tumors: liquid nitrogen, scalpel, electrocoagulation, laser.
Along with eliminating the growth, treatment is prescribed to maintain the body's immune system.
Many people, distrusting minimal and painless surgical interventions, 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 test results. Depending on the location of the tumor on the body, a scraping or smear is taken.
Only timely consultation with a doctor guarantees proper treatment and removal of annoying growths.