Papillomas are small benign neoplasms 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
It causes the appearance of annoying neoplasms.human papilloma virus.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 there are particularly insidious types that contribute to the malignant degeneration of initially peaceful papillomas.
It is curious that the vast majority of the population (around 90%) are carriers of this virus. It persists in humans for life and does not cause the formation of specific immunity.
To fully consider the causes of the appearance of papillomas in the human body, this process should be divided into two stages:
- Penetration of the papilloma pathogen into the body.
- Virus activation.
How does the papillomavirus 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.
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 gateway 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 both during traditional contact and during oral or anal contact. 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 common disease. It happens that the causative agents of the virus are present not on the genitals, but on the body in the groin area. During intimate contact, these places are usually not protected.
The first sign that indicates 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 son
This transfer method is possible in the following cases:
- Intrauterine infection of the baby. These situations are quite rare, but medical science knows about them. The papillomavirus 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.
Home way
These cases are much less common, but there is still a chance of contracting papilloma this way. The causative agent of papillomas is not only very active. In theory, it is present everywhere: on public transport, in offices, hospitals, stores, schools and daycares.
In some cases, it is enough to touch a carrier of the virus for a surprise to appear in the form of a new growth on the skin. Therefore, knowing it in everyday life is a very real perspective.
How did this happen?
Through household items.Papillomaviruses can be transmitted if a virus carrier and a healthy person use the same toiletries and hygiene products. Sometimes even a simple handshake can lead to an infection.
- In public places. Baths, saunas and swimming pools are especially dangerous in this regard, because pathogenic microorganisms tend to spread quickly in a humid environment. There is a chance that gym lovers will also be in for an unpleasant surprise. When visiting these places, the rules of personal hygiene must be observed with special attention.
The risk of infection in these cases increases considerably if even minor skin damage occurs. They become a kind of gate through which the causative agent of papilloma immediately enters the body.
- Autoinfection.Papillomas can appear in new places on the human body as a result of normal hygiene procedures (shaving, cutting nails). Even minor skin damage provides a comfortable environment for the introduction and reproduction of the virus.
By trying to independently remove 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, new growths appear on the skin and their number exceeds the original.
The papillomavirus is transmitted quite easily (both in terms of transmission methods and frequency of infection). That's why it is so widespread.
Stealth and deception
A distinctive feature of the papillomavirus is that a person may not realize that he is infected for a long time. The virus lives quietly in your body, without manifesting itself in any way.
When entering 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 may an infected person feel a slight itching or tingling sensation on 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 occur.
Wake up the sleeping monster
At one point, the virus, peacefully sleeping in the body, receives a signal for action 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 (old age).
Let's consider each of these reasons in detail.
Decreased immunity
Once in the body, the virus cannot immediately take control, since at this time the immune system is activated - the body's ability to resist the introduction of any foreign agent.
As long as the immune system functions fully 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 in no position to do any damage.
The insidious virus is waiting for the right moment to manifest 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 bloodstream. It is a natural defense mechanism to mobilize 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 perform 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 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 run out of 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 is not thoroughly treated, but only the symptoms are dulled with the help of fast-acting remedies. Long-term use of medications sometimes also causes the papillomavirus to receive a signal to act.
- 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.
The listed factors deprive the body of a reliable protector and make it accessible to professionals.elimination of any viruses, including human papillomavirus.
Hormonal changes in the body.
Hormones are regulators of many reactions that occur in the human body. Failures that occur in the hormonal sphere for some reason provoke the appearance of neoplasms.
Several studies indicate that the human papillomavirus depends on hormones. It is activated if changes occur in the body's estrogen metabolism. Estrogen is a female sex hormone, so women are more susceptible to the appearance of papillomas due to hormonal imbalances.
- The pregnancy.Most often, the changes that occur in a woman's body during this period activate the latent virus. Papillomas can appear on the hands, face, neck and armpits. Weight gain and sweating contribute to its more active spread. Clothing, which becomes increasingly tight during pregnancy, creates friction between the fabric and the body, causing additional tumors to appear.
- 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 may appear in adolescents on different parts of the body.
- Taking hormonal medications.Some of them, as a side effect, disrupt the formation of skin fibers, thus increasing the risk of unwanted growths on the body.
- Menopause in women. Women over 40 experience important hormonal changes called menopause. Even an ideally healthy woman at this age runs the risk of discovering previously undetected neoplasms.
- Abortion, any gynecological disease.The activity of all organs of the human reproductive system and its hormonal state are interconnected. Therefore, any problem in the reproductive system is a risk factor that contributes to the activation of the papillomavirus.
advanced age
In people during this period, an age-related decrease in the activity of the immune system occurs, 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 papillomavirus, for various reasons, can activate after a certain period of time.
Knowing the reasons for the appearance of these annoying neoplasms, you can minimize the possibility of becoming familiar with them.
Prevention of the formation of papillomas in the human body.
- An orderly sex life, having a regular sexual partner, using contraception during casual sexual contact, showering after intimate contact. It is advisable that both partners undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist and a urologist.
- Observe necessary personal hygiene measures, especially when visiting public places. You must adhere to simple rules: keep your hands clean, shower after visiting the 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 state of the body, followed by taking measures to normalize it (if necessary).
The measures listed above do not guarantee 100% protection against human papillomavirus infection; However, the risk of detecting unwanted tumors in the body will be significantly reduced.
The virus is activated: papillomas have appeared.
After activation, the virus makes itself known through the formation of papillomas. The most typical places of its appearance are the perineum, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet and the armpit area. In obese people, tumors can appear in skin folds throughout the body.
Why do growths appear here? The folds of the skin, 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 reason for consulting a doctor, even if they do not cause more discomfort than aesthetic ones. There are known cases of papillomas transforming into malignant neoplasms, so it is advisable to immediately prevent 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 probability of such degeneration is quite low.
- Strains that are more likely to cause the formation of a malignant tumor.
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 and then the resulting biological material is studied to determine its strain. There are several ways to remove tumors: liquid nitrogen, scalpel, electrocoagulation, laser.
In parallel with the elimination of the growth, therapy is prescribed to maintain the body's immune system.
Many people, wary of minimal and painless surgical intervention, 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 in the body, a scraping or smear is performed.
Only timely consultation with a doctor guarantees proper treatment and removal of annoying growths.