Papillomas are small benign neoplasms that appear in various parts of the human body. They can occur suddenly at any age without causing physical suffering. Such unexpected surprises make people feel psychologically uncomfortable and ask themselves: where do papillomas come from?
Main culprit
Causes the appearance of disturbing neoplasmsHuman papilloma viruses.In the body, it actively multiplies in epithelial cells and causes a disease called papillomatosis. Today, more than 100 of its varieties are known, including particularly insidious species that contribute to the malignant degeneration of initially peaceful papillomas.
It is curious that the vast majority of the population (about 90%) are carriers of this virus. It persists in humans for life and does not lead to the development 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.
- Virus activation.
How does the papilloma virus enter the body?
sexual tract
This is the most common way the virus enters the body of an uninfected partner from an infected person. Until recently it was considered practically the only one.
The most common way to become infected with the virus is through unprotected sexual intercourse. Sometimes a single intimate contact is enough to become infected. The mucous membrane becomes the actual 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 in both traditional and oral or anal contacts. 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 cannot always protect against this widespread disease. It happens that the causative agents of the virus are present not on the genitals themselves, but on the body in the groin area. Such places are usually not protected for intimate contact.
The first sign that the virus has entered the body via this transmission route is the appearance of genital warts (anogenital warts) in the genital area.
From mother to child
This type of transfer 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 has a tendency to invade the placenta.
- If a woman has papillomas on the external genitals, the child can become infected without passing through the birth canal. This virus is almost always transmitted from mother to child during birth.
Household way
Such cases are much rarer, but there is still a chance that a papilloma may arise in this way. The causative agent of papillomas is not only very active. Theoretically, it is present everywhere: in local public transport, in offices, hospitals, shops, schools and kindergartens.
In some cases, just touching a virus carrier is enough to cause a surprise in the form of a new growth on the skin. 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 when a virus carrier and a healthy person use the same toiletries and hygiene products. Sometimes just a simple handshake can cause an infection.
- In public places.Baths, saunas and swimming pools are particularly dangerous in this context, as pathogenic microorganisms spread quickly in moist environments. There is a chance that even fitness lovers will get an unpleasant surprise. When visiting such places, you should pay particular attention to the rules of personal hygiene.
In these cases, the risk of infection increases significantly even with minor skin damage. They become a kind of gate through which the papilloma pathogen immediately enters the body.
- Autoinfection.As a result of normal hygiene measures (shaving, trimming nails), papillomas can appear in new places on the human body. Even minor damage to the skin provides a favorable environment for the virus to enter and multiply.
By attempting to remove an existing tumor on their own, people contribute to the spread of the virus to other, uninfected areas of the body. This is particularly common in children. After a short time, new growths form on the skin, the number of which exceeds the original one.
The papilloma virus is transmitted relatively easily (both in terms of transmission methods and frequency of infection). That's why it's so widespread.
Stealth and deceit
A distinctive feature of the papillomavirus is that a person may not know that he is infected for a long time. The virus lives quietly in his body, without manifesting itself in any way.
Penetrating into the body, the causative agent of papilloma does not spread throughout the internal organs and systems, but remains in the deep layers of the skin. This friendly neighborhood can last for years. Only occasionally an infected person may experience a slight itching or tingling sensation on the skin.
It is believed that the virus will not be transmitted to others in this state.
If the immune system is fully functional, the virus can be defeated at this stage and the development of the disease will not follow.
Wake up the sleeping monster
At some point, the virus, peacefully sleeping in the body, receives a signal to act and begins to actively manifest itself.
The appearance of neoplasms in 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 (age).
Let's consider each of these reasons in detail.
Decreased immunity
Once the virus enters the body, it cannot immediately take control, because at this moment the immune system is activated - the body's ability to resist the introduction of any foreign substances.
As long as the immune system is fully functional and performs its protective functions, the effect of the virus is suppressed. It turns out that the enemy is not completely defeated, but rather weakened and unable to do any damage.
The insidious virus is waiting for the right moment to show itself in all its glory. This possibility arises even with 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 to mobilize physical strength and reactions. However, the function of the immune system is temporarily suppressed.
Chronic stress leads to a constant suppression of the immune system, which can no longer fully fulfill its protective functions.
- Lack of adequate rest.When a person rests, his body recovers. All physiological processes return to normal. Internal systems begin to work with renewed vigor, and the immune system is no exception.
- Unbalanced diet.If the body does not receive the required amount of valuable proteins, it automatically begins to redistribute its existing reserves. First, the muscles receive valuable material. But the immune system will be forced to remain without the elements it needs. If a vitamin deficiency is detected at the same time, a weakening of the immune system is inevitable.
- Long-term illnesses, especially those associated with taking antibiotics.In this case, the cells of the immune system are damaged and it becomes weakened. It is particularly dangerous if the disease has not been treated thoroughly, but the symptoms have only been subdued with the help of fast-acting remedies. Even long-term use of medication sometimes causes the papilloma virus to receive a signal to act.
- Bad habits.Smoking, alcohol abuse, consumption of narcotics and toxins, and 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 reliable protection and make it accessible to professionals.Elimination of any viruses, including human papillomavirus.
Hormonal changes in the body
Hormones regulate many reactions in the human body. Disturbances that arise for some reason in the hormonal sphere provoke the appearance of neoplasms.
A number of studies indicate that the human papillomavirus is hormone dependent. It is activated when changes occur 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 imbalances.
- Pregnancy.Very often, the changes that occur 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 more active spread. Clothing that becomes increasingly tight during pregnancy causes friction between the fabric and the body, which leads to the development of additional tumors.
- Youth.During this time, the body goes through rapid hormonal changes that accompany puberty. Against the background of such processes, new growths can occur in various parts of the body in addition to classic youth acne.
- Taking hormonal medications.As a side effect, some of them disrupt the formation of skin fibers and thereby increase the risk of unwanted growths on the body.
- Menopause in women. Women over the age of 40 experience severe hormonal changes, known as menopause. Even an ideally healthy woman of this age runs the risk of discovering previously undetected neoplasms.
- Abortion, all gynecological diseases.The activity of all organs of the human reproductive system and its hormonal status are interconnected. Therefore, all problems in the reproductive system are risk factors that contribute to the activation of the papilloma virus.
Older age
During this period, there is an age-related decline in the activity of the immune system in humans, causing the virus to enter an active phase. In older people, papillomas sometimes spread throughout the body.
Once in the human body, the papilloma virus can become active after a certain period of time for various reasons.
Knowing the reasons for the appearance of these annoying neoplasms will allow you to minimize the possibility of acquaintance with them.
Prevention of the formation of papillomas on the human body
- Have an orderly sex life, have a regular sexual partner, use contraception during occasional sexual contact, shower after intimate contact. It is recommended that both partners undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist and urologist.
- Observe 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 swimming pool or gym.
- Choose a healthy lifestyle taking into account a well-structured diet.
- Compliance with the work and rest regime.
- Timely examination of the hormonal status of the body with subsequent taking measures to normalize it (if necessary).
The measures listed above do not guarantee 100% protection against infection with the human papilloma virus, but the risk of discovering unwanted tumors on the body is significantly reduced.
The virus is activated: papillomas have appeared
After activation, the virus becomes noticeable through the formation of papillomas. The most typical places for their appearance are the perineum, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and the armpit areas. In overweight people, tumors can appear in skin folds all over the body.
Why do growths appear here? Folds of skin, places where sweat, and therefore moisture, accumulates, are an ideal place for sabotage by an insidious enemy. Once the virus is activated, it is capable of producing entire foci of papillomas.
Defeat the enemy
The sudden appearance of incomprehensible growths is a reason to see a doctor, even if they do not cause discomfort other than aesthetic. There are known cases of the transformation of papillomas into malignant neoplasms, so it is worth immediately preventing this possibility of developing events.
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 a degeneration is quite low.
- Strains most likely to lead to the formation of a malignant tumor.
You should not take this problem lightly, consult a doctor.
Currently, the treatment of this disease consists of two components: surgical and conservative.
With the help of a small surgical procedure, the entire papilloma colony is removed, and then the resulting biological material is examined for its trunk. There are several ways to remove tumors: liquid nitrogen, scalpel, electrocoagulation, laser.
In parallel with the removal of the growth, therapy to maintain the body's immune system is prescribed.
Many people are afraid of minimal and painless surgical interventions and 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 test results. Depending on the location of the tumor on the body, a swab or smear is taken.
Only a timely consultation with a doctor guarantees proper treatment and the elimination of annoying growths.