Papillomas – soft benign formations on the skin and mucous membranes – signal the activation of the human papillomavirus.
When such an outgrowth appears, diagnostics are required to determine the degree of oncogenicity of the virus. Sometimes papillomas cause discomfort, physical and psychological, so the question arises: can they be removed?
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Is it possible to remove growths. Doctors’ opinion
Removal of papilloma is one of the few procedures in need, which if not all doctors are sure, then the vast majority of them. There are three reasons for this.
Firstly , growths cause discomfort and discomfort, and in some cases reduce the quality of life. For example, papillomas in intimate places cause a refusal to have sexual intercourse, in the armpits they interfere with shaving.
Papillomas on the face cause embarrassment, a feeling of shame, because of which a person tries to appear less in public places and communicate with people.
Secondly , papillomas never appear just like that: the neoplasm is preceded by the penetration of the virus into the human body. Its danger is that a simple growth on the skin can degenerate into a malignant formation and lead to cancer.
Thirdly , if the papilloma is accidentally touched, damaged, or violated by mechanical friction, viruses can spread to neighboring areas of the skin and cause multiple formations.
Therefore, the appearance of papillomas, warts and genital warts is an occasion to consult a doctor, undergo an examination and remove the growth not so much for cosmetic purposes as for the sake of health. Also read how facial papillomas are removed .
When should you not get rid of growths?
Despite the need to remove the neoplasm, there are contraindications to various dermatological and cosmetological measures.
HPV activation always occurs against the background of a general decrease in immunity, therefore, papillomas cannot be removed with an existing oncological disease, during pregnancy, with acute diseases (influenza, SARS), with activation of the herpes virus in the papilloma area, as well as during the summer season during vacation.
In these cases, the doctor may prescribe drug therapy, recommend the use of alternative methods, strengthen the immune system and come for a preventive examination to make sure that the disease does not continue to progress.
After recovery or the birth of a child, the patient can go to the clinic with a request to remove the growth.
Why not do it yourself?
Self-removal of papillomas is prohibited. Despite the large number of folk methods and tricks on how to quickly burn, tear off and heal the affected area, this can be extremely dangerous.
Getting rid of the build-up at home, a person removes only its upper part – the one that is located above the surface of the skin. The root remains inside, and the likelihood of re-formation of papilloma increases, only at the same time it can be much larger.
Papilloma is a viral disease, therefore, by removing the upper part of the papilloma, a person opens the way for the pathogen. The virus can easily get to the surface of the skin and infect neighboring areas. Thus, a person, having removed one papilloma, acquires a group of neoplasms.
The third reason is the possible high oncogenicity of the virus. When contacting a doctor, a diagnosis is made that will show how likely it is that the virus will lead to cancer.
If papilloma is removed at home , it is quite possible that a person will accelerate the course of the oncological process, and then a malignant, but malignant neoplasm will have to be treated.
Finally, the most favorable outcome that can occur with self-removal of papilloma is ugly scars and scars.
The color of the papilloma can be from flesh to deep black, so after removing the build-up at home, an ugly black spot often remains on the skin and also causes discomfort. Therefore, a person still turns to a dermatologist or cosmetologist.
What happens if the growth is torn off?
Often, growths form in places subject to frequent mechanical stress: this is the genital area, armpits, neck, face.
A person has to walk, carry out hygiene procedures, dress, that is, expose the papilloma to mechanical stress. Sometimes, in the course of normal actions, a neoplasm accidentally opens, which can be detected by signs:
- Sharp sharp pain in the affected area.
- Profuse bleeding that is difficult to stop.
- If you look at the place where the papilloma used to be, either a hole is found that looks like a fistula, or the remaining growth particles.
What happens if the growth is torn off?
- The inflammatory process begins.
- The shape and color of the formation may change.
- The place of inflammation swells, burning, itching, redness of the skin bothers.
- There are purulent discharge mixed with blood, often with an unpleasant odor.
The outcome of damage to the build-up can be different: either the place dries up, and the wound disappears over time, or it degenerates into a malignant tumor.
Ways to get rid of growths
We briefly describe the most popular and reliable methods below.
Mechanical
Traditional mechanical methods for removing papillomas include:
- surgical method.
- radio wave method.
Surgically, the papilloma is removed, initially anesthetizing the site of exposure. The disadvantages of the method include subsequent reddening of the tissues and possible swelling. The affected area is completely restored in a few weeks.
Radio wave method – removal of the growth with the help of the drug Surgitron. The radio wave affects the papilloma from the inside, heats and destroys it. The advantage of this method is the safety for nearby healthy tissue. In addition, with the radio wave method, the rehabilitation period is short and no traces remain.
Of the more modern mechanical methods, the following are common:
- Laser coagulation – evaporation of papillomas with a laser.
- Electrocoagulation – cauterization by electric current.
Currently, the most popular way to remove papillomas is laser coagulation.
Plasma coagulation
Currently, plasma coagulation is one of the most popular and low-traumatic methods for removing papillomas. It implies exposure of the growth first to low temperature, and then to high-temperature plasma coagulation. The growths disappear with little or no pain or blood.
The operation eliminates the possibility of recurrence, leaves no marks on the skin and completely removes the build-up.
A liquid nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen is used in cryodestruction – a method that freezes papilloma. The growth is exposed to cold for some time, after which it becomes white, dense, sensitivity is lost in this place. After a while, the papilloma falls off.
Cryodestruction is safe, but if liquid nitrogen is used carelessly, there is a risk of burns, so a small scar may remain.
With the help of folk remedies
Folk remedies were widely used at a time when medicine did not reach the level that it has reached now. In other words, people had no other choice, so herbs, vinegar, and even water were used.
Most often, various lotions and baths were used among the people: a clean cloth or gauze was dipped in a prepared solution or agent and the papilloma was treated several times a day until it fell off.
Even now, in the 21st century, some prefer folk remedies to safe and effective methods of medicine.
For cauterization and removal of papillomas, apply:
- Tampon soaked in apple cider vinegar . The build-up is processed 3 times a day until it dries up and falls off.
- Herbal infusion based on lemon balm , plantain, dandelion root, nettle or horsetail. A small amount of any of these herbs is poured into 250 ml of boiling water, infused for 20-40 minutes, after which the papilloma is treated with gauze or a clean cloth soaked in the infusion.
- Ointment from green walnuts (0.5 kg per 3-liter jar) and kerosene. Nuts are crushed in a meat grinder, fill the jar by 2/3. Kerosene is added from above. The agent is infused for 21 days, after which it processes the growth 1-2 times a day for a week.
- Compress with aloe juice . A gauze swab is soaked in fresh plant juice, applied to the papilloma and fixed with a patch. Every 3-4 hours, the tampon is changed to another. With regular use of such a remedy, papilloma will disappear in 5-7 days.
Does it hurt or not
Modern methods make it possible to remove papillomas not only quickly and without residual traces, but also painlessly. However, you need to understand that in any case, this is a medical manipulation, so there is a certain discomfort.
During surgical removal and electrocoagulation, local anesthesia is used, so pain is not felt.
With cryodestruction, there is a slight burning sensation and tingling.
Plasma and laser coagulation are almost completely painless.
But the removal of papilloma at home, whether it is cauterization, the use of folk remedies or tearing off, is always accompanied by pain.
What is the danger of surgery
Surgical excision of papilloma can be dangerous only if the operation is performed by an inexperienced doctor in non-sterile conditions. Then there is a possibility that the papilloma will not be completely removed and a relapse will occur soon.
If the conditions are met, there are no contraindications, then local anesthesia is applied, and the papilloma is removed with a scalpel. After surgery, there is always a scar or scar.
Skin care after the procedure
Regardless of the chosen method of papilloma removal, the impact site requires special care. After removing the build-up, it is recommended:
- Protect skin from sun exposure. Therefore, in the summer season, the place in the area of the removed papilloma is sealed with adhesive tape.
- Protect the wound from water, mechanical impact.
- Treat the wound with an antiseptic, which the doctor will prescribe, until complete recovery.
- Do not touch the wound, do not scratch, do not try to tear off the resulting film and crust.
- Do not cover the wound with a swab and plaster unnecessarily.
- Do not self-medicate, including do not treat the wound with alcohol-containing solutions, various scrubs, creams.
- If there are signs of suppuration, visit a doctor.
The correctness of skin care can be tracked by the reaction of the affected area. Normally, in the first days, a small depression in the skin is tightened, a thin film forms on top.
After 2-3 weeks, the film turns into a crust, which in no case should be touched. Soon it falls off, and the wound practically merges with the skin. In the first months, the impact site may be slightly darker, but soon there will be no traces left.
Papillomas can be ignored for a long time, as they may be barely noticeable or strongly resemble moles. It is impossible to try to tear off, squeeze out, tear off such a formation, since the infection is immediately activated.
In the worst case, papilloma can lead to the development of a malignant tumor, so you need to undergo a complete diagnosis and remove the growth in a medical institution.
