Papillomas are small benign tumors that appear in different parts of the human body. They can occur suddenly at any age without causing physical distress. People feel psychological discomfort from such unexpected surprises and wonder: where do papillomas come from?
The main culprit
Causes the appearance of unpleasant lumpshuman papilloma virus.Once in the body, it actively multiplies in epithelial cells and causes a disease called papilloma. Today, more than 100 of its varieties are known, among them there are especially dangerous ones that contribute to the malignant degeneration of initially peaceful papillomas.
What is curious is that the vast majority of the population (about 90%) are carriers of this virus. It persists in humans throughout life and does not cause the formation of specific immunity.
To fully consider the causes of the appearance of papillomas on the human body, this process needs to be divided into two stages:
- Penetration of papilloma pathogens into the body.
- Virus activation.
How does the papilloma virus enter the body?
Genital tract
This is the most common way for the virus to enter the body of an uninfected partner from an infected person. Until recently, it was considered almost unique.
Usually, viral infections occur during unprotected sex. Sometimes just intimate contact is enough to get infected. Mucous membranes become the gateway for the virus to spread to other organs.
The possibility of infection does not depend on the form of sexual intercourse. It is not excluded both during traditional contact and during oral or anal contact. It is possible to transmit the virus during sex between gay couples.
Safe sex is not a panacea. Even condoms cannot always protect against this common disease. It happens that the pathogens of the virus are not present on the genitals, but on the body in the groin area. During intimate contact, such places are often left unprotected.
The first signal that the virus has entered the body through this route of transmission will be the appearance of genital warts (genital warts) localized in the genital area.
From mother to child
This transfer method can be performed in the following cases:
- Infection in the baby's uterus. Such situations are quite rare, but medical science knows about them. Papilloma virus tends to penetrate the placenta.
- If a woman has papillomas on her external genitalia, the child can become infected if it does not pass through the reproductive tract. During childbirth, this virus is almost always transmitted from mother to baby.
Family street
Such cases are much less common, but there is still a risk of getting papillomas this way. The agents that cause papillomas are not only highly active. Theoretically, it is everywhere: on public transport, in offices, hospitals, shops, schools and kindergartens.
In some cases, just one touch of a person carrying the virus is enough for the surprise to appear in the form of a new tumor growing on the skin. Therefore, getting to know him in everyday life is a very real prospect.
How did this happen?
Through household items.Papillomavirus can be transmitted if a person carrying the virus and a healthy person use the same toiletries and hygiene products. Sometimes even a simple handshake can cause infection.
- In public places.Bathrooms, saunas and swimming pools are especially dangerous in this regard, as pathogenic microorganisms tend to spread quickly in humid environments. Chances are gym lovers will also be in for a nasty surprise. When visiting such places, you should especially carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene.
The risk of infection in these cases increases sharply if there is minor damage to the skin. They become a kind of portal through which the papilloma-causing agent immediately enters the body.
- Self-infection.Papillomas can appear in new places on the human body due to normal hygiene procedures (shaving, trimming nails). Even small lesions on the skin provide a comfortable environment for viruses to enter and reproduce.
By trying to independently eliminate the existing tumor, people contribute to the spread of the virus to other, uninfected areas of the body. This is especially common in children. After a short time, new tumors appear on the skin and their number exceeds the original number.
The papilloma virus is transmitted quite easily (both in terms of transmission method and frequency of infection). This is why it is so popular.
Invisibility and deception
A distinctive feature of the papillomavirus is that a person may not be aware that he or she is infected for a long time. The virus lives quietly in his body, not manifesting itself in any form.
When entering the body, the papilloma-causing agent does not spread throughout the organs and internal systems but exists in the deep layers of the skin. This friendly neighborhood can last for many years. Only occasionally, an infected person may feel a slight itching or tingling sensation on the skin.
It is believed that in this state, the virus is not transmitted to others.
If the immune system is fully functioning, at this stage the virus can be defeated and the disease will not develop.
Awaken the sleeping monster
At one point, the virus, lying dormant in the body, receives a signal to action and begins to actively manifest itself.
The appearance of tumors on different parts of the body occurs precisely after the activation of the virus.
What are the reasons for activation?
- Reduced immunity;
- Hormonal changes in the body;
- Age-related changes (senescence).
Let's look at each of these reasons in detail.
Reduced immunity
Once entering the body, the virus cannot immediately take over, because at this time the immune system is activated - the body's ability to resist the invasion of any external agents.
As long as the immune system is fully functioning, performing its protective functions, the effects of the virus will be inhibited. It turns out that the enemy is not completely defeated, but weakened and in no condition to cause harm.
The insidious virus is waiting for the right moment to reveal itself in all its glory. This opportunity appears when the immune system is at its mildest weakened.
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 function of the immune system is temporarily suppressed.
If stress is chronic, the immune system is constantly suppressed, which can no longer fully perform its protective functions.
- Lack of adequate rest.When a person rests, his 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 protein, it automatically begins to redistribute existing reserves. First of all, the muscles will receive valuable material. But the immune system will be forced to lack essential elements. If vitamin deficiency is detected at the same time, impaired immunity is inevitable.
- Chronic diseases, especially those accompanied by the use of antibiotics.In this case, the cells of the immune system are damaged and it becomes weakened. It is especially dangerous if the disease is not treated thoroughly but symptoms are only alleviated with quick-acting treatments. Long-term use of drugs sometimes causes the papilloma virus to receive a signal to take action.
- Bad habits.Smoking, alcohol abuse, use of drugs and toxic substances as well as other similar addictions cause irreparable harm to the immune system and thus contribute to viral activation.
The listed factors will deprive the body of a reliable defender and make it accessible to specialists.Eliminates any viruses, including human papillomavirus.
Hormonal changes in the body
Hormones are substances that regulate many reactions occurring in the human body. For some reason, problems that occur in the hormonal field stimulate the appearance of tumors.
Some studies indicate that human papillomavirus is hormone dependent. It is activated if changes occur in the body's estrogen metabolism. Estrogen is a female sex hormone, so women are more susceptible to papillomas due to hormonal imbalance.
- Pregnancy.Very often, the changes that occur in the female body during this period activate dormant viruses. Papillomas can appear on the hands, face, neck and armpits. Weight gain and sweating contribute to their more active spread. Clothes become increasingly tight during pregnancy, creating friction between the fabric and the body, leading to additional lumps.
- The youth.During this period, the body undergoes rapid hormonal changes associated with puberty. Against the background of such processes, in addition to traditional youth acne, tumors can appear on different parts of the body in adolescents.
- Use hormone medications.Some of them, as a side effect, disrupt the formation of skin fibers, thereby increasing the risk of developing unwanted tumors on the body.
- Menopause in women. Women turning 40 will experience major hormonal changes called menopause. Even an ideally healthy woman of this age is at risk of discovering previously undetected tumors.
- Abortion, gynecological diseases.The functioning 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.
Old age
In humans during this period, the activity of the immune system declines with age, due to which the virus enters the active phase. Sometimes in older people, papillomas spread throughout the body.
Once entering the human body, the papilloma virus, for some reasons, can become active after a certain time.
Knowing the reasons for the appearance of these unpleasant lumps, you can minimize the likelihood of getting used to them.
Prevents the formation of papillomas on the human body
- Have an orderly sex life, have a regular partner, use birth control during regular sex, and shower after sex. It is advisable that both partners should undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist and urologist.
- Follow necessary personal hygiene measures, especially when visiting public places. You should adhere to simple rules: keep your hands clean, shower after going to the pool or gym.
- Choose a healthy lifestyle, taking into account a well-structured diet.
- Follow the work and rest regime.
- Timely check the hormonal condition of the body, then take measures to normalize it (if necessary).
The measures listed above do not guarantee 100% protection from human papillomavirus infection, however, the risk of detecting unwanted tumors on the body will be significantly reduced.
The virus is activated: papillomas have appeared
Once activated, the virus is known to form papillomas. The most typical places where they appear are the perineum, palms of the hands, soles of the feet and armpits. In obese people, tumors can appear in skin folds all over the body.
Why did the growth appear here? The folds of the skin, places where sweat and therefore moisture accumulate, are ideal places for insidious enemies to wreak havoc. Once activated, the virus is capable of creating entire papillomas.
Defeat enemies
The sudden appearance of any puzzling growths is a reason to see a doctor, even if they do not cause any discomfort other than a cosmetic problem. There have been cases of turning papillomas into malignant tumors, so it is necessary to immediately prevent the possibility of the development of these events.
All these many strains of viruses are conditionally divided into three groups:
- These strains do not cause cancer.
- These strains can cause cancer but the likelihood of such degeneration is quite low.
- Strains are more likely to lead to melanoma formation.
You should not take this matter lightly and should seek medical help.
Currently, there are two methods of treating this disease: surgery and conservation.
With the help of a small surgical intervention, the entire papilloma will be removed, after which the resulting biological material will be studied to determine its strain. There are several ways to remove the tumor: liquid nitrogen, scalpel, electrocautery, laser.
In parallel with the removal of the tumor, 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 years or use 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, scrape or apply.
Only timely consultation with a doctor will ensure proper treatment and removal of unpleasant tumors.