If papilloma becomes inflamed, you should immediately understand the reasons for the exacerbation. It is a benign growth that has a soft consistency inside. The presence of formations on the human body indicates the presence of HPV in the body. Strong immunity is a reliable barrier to the pathological process. Treatment should be systematic and orderly.
Can papilloma hurt?
Just like that, for no apparent reason, papilloma cannot swell and begin to hurt. There is a list of factors that provoke the inflammatory process in the growth.
There are the following reasons why papilloma can become inflamed:
- The trigger may be an exacerbation of a severe genetic or chronic disease in the patient’s history. In this case, it will be possible to relieve the inflammatory process in the tumor only after high-quality treatment of the underlying disease;
- Severe and constant nervous overstrain depletes the body's defenses and can cause the papilloma to become inflamed and red;
- Hormonal imbalance in women. It can be triggered by changes in the female body such as pregnancy, miscarriage or abortion, the development of pathological conditions of the female reproductive system or improper functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Effect of ultraviolet rays on the epidermis.
- Injury to the growth.
- Incorrect treatment of papillomas at home.
The most common reasons for a papilloma to be swollen and painful are involuntary injuries to the growths or attempts to get rid of them yourself.
It’s easy to injure a growth. The areas of the skin where papillomas are located are often distinguished by the thinness of the epithelium and its high humidity. Therefore, even a seam on clothing is enough to damage and redden the skin around the papilloma, irritation from which can lead to injury to the neoplasm.
Possible complications
Sometimes situations arise when the hanging papilloma is greatly inflated. This indicates pathological changes and activity of the virus in the patient’s body. The most common complications with the development of skin growths are:
- the appearance of bleeding that occurs as a result of surgery;
- infection of a damaged surface with a virus;
- development of benign tumors (hanging wart, papillomas);
- the formation of malignant structures with pus, blood, which can swell and dry out;
- diseases of the lungs, stomach and intestines (consultation with an oncologist);
- danger of sespis;
- suppuration of the inflamed areas, which may darken, swell or turn black.
Comprehensive diagnostics of the human body allows us to determine the degree of activity of the virus. The specialist identifies the level of oncogenicity and selects the optimal treatment tactics. The effectiveness of therapy depends on the quality of the systemic effect on the body.
Skin neoplasms of viral origin tend to change their size, shape, and color over time. Under favorable circumstances they may disappear. In some cases, you may feel pain in the area of the papilloma and notice its redness. These are signs of an inflammatory reaction that should not be ignored. Understanding the reasons for such metamorphoses and the rules of behavior in connection with their occurrence will help prevent possible unwanted complications.
What to do if the papilloma is swollen and hurts when pressed?
Compaction of the growth, accompanied by pain when pressed, a change in its appearance - the appearance of inclusions or a change in shape indicate danger. Neoplasm cells transform into malignant ones. And the causes of papilloma inflammation no longer play any role. The only way to stop the dangerous process is to remove the growth.
If the tumor has inflated and continues to increase in size, it is impossible to do without complex antiviral therapy and getting rid of it. Otherwise, the risk of relapse of the disease increases.
Removal process
Removal is a safe process; upon completion, in most cases there may not even be visible traces left at the site of the papilloma. The main thing is to do this only in special institutions.
There are several ways to get rid of papillomas, each of which has its own characteristics.
Chemical
Various acids are used to simply burn out the growth. Among the disadvantages of this method is the risk of injury, since it is not always possible to avoid burns to tissues.
Cryodestruction
The use of liquid nitrogen, which has a very low temperature and deprives the growth of vital activity, due to which the papilloma dies.
Electrocoagulation
The formation is destroyed under the influence of current. This operation should be performed only in closed areas due to the appearance of scars.
Radio waves
Removal is carried out contactlessly due to exposure to radio waves. This preserves material that may be needed for further histology and does not damage nearby tissues.
Laser
The safest and also sterile method. With its help you can remove growths even in the most difficult areas. Healing occurs in the shortest possible time and no scar remains in the place where the papilloma was.
Surgical
It is resorted to in cases where there are good reasons to suspect that the papilloma has degenerated. Healing in this case takes a considerable period of time and a scar remains at the site of the growth, which is why it is resorted to only in exceptional cases.
What does the blackened formation indicate?
Symptoms of a blackened growth that continues to hurt or itch usually increases the risks for the patient. Such a reaction may indicate:
- The tissues of the growth die off, which indicates its imminent disappearance. In the absence of pain, any therapeutic measures are not needed;
- Accidental injury to a growth or complication after removal of papilloma at home;
- Infection enters the body due to damage to the upper layer of the tumor.
If you notice that the papilloma has swollen and darkened after undergoing local drug treatment, this is evidence of tissue necrosis of the growth and its death. In the absence of bleeding, no additional therapy is required in this case.
But if the darkening of the tumor is associated with unwanted injury, you should:
- Treat the damaged area with an antiseptic;
- If possible, avoid getting it wet;
- Cover the neoplasm with a bactericidal patch;
- Contact a dermatologist.
The growth may fall off before your meeting with a specialist. In this case, it is recommended to save the fallen part for histological diagnosis.
Reasons for HPV penetration into the body
Most often, the cause of a viral infection in the body is a person’s negligent attitude towards health. Let us list the obvious factors that lead to the formation of growths:
- constant change of sexual partners (this applies not only to girls, but also to boys);
- weakened immunity (due to long-term infectious diseases);
- presence of bad habits (smoking, alcohol, drug addiction);
- stressful situations caused by emotional stress;
- pregnancy period (both during childbirth and after or before);
- hormonal disorders in the body (adolescents are susceptible).
All of the above factors contribute to the penetration of a viral infection into the body, which results in neoplasms, their further development is due to a decrease in immunity. For example, if the papilloma has become dark, then HPV has automatically begun to progress - this already poses a threat to the person’s further normal social life.
Danger of malignancy
It is no secret that papillomas caused by certain types of papillomovirus are at risk of oncogenicity. In simple words, such papillomas are prone to transformation into cancer, for example, melanoma (skin cancer). The reason for starting the process of malingization of a neoplasm may be an injury or complication after removal of the papilloma or, rather, an unsuccessful attempt to get rid of it on your own. And evidence of the development of such a dangerous process is the inflammatory process.
The inflammation that begins in the papilloma cells spreads to the adjacent vessels and lymph nodes. The inflamed lymph node greatly increases in size, which is noticeable upon palpation, and begins to hurt. All this is an alarming signal of the hidden process of transformation of a benign neoplasm into a malignant one.
Pay attention to the following symptoms of malignancy:
- Change in pigmentation - the papilloma has turned red or darkened;
- Sharp growth of neoplasm;
- Papilloma bleeds;
- The appearance of discharge from the growth with a strong unpleasant odor;
- Unpleasant sensations - pain or itching or burning.
Treatment for malignancy is carried out in a hospital after receiving the results of all necessary clinical studies and confirming the diagnosis.
Forms of papillomas
Simple papillomas
Simple papillomas can also be called common or vulgar warts. Their occurrence is provoked by such HPV strains as 26, 27, 28, 29, 41, 63, 77. Vulgar papillomas, more often than other benign neoplasms of this type, appear on human skin. Papillomas are formed with a slight burning sensation on the skin, after which a small spherical tumor first appears in a given place, which progresses over time. As the tumor grows, its surface becomes rough and the color darkens. A simple papilloma can range in size from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter.
In an adult, vulgar warts are most often located on the fingers or between them, on the back of the palms. In children, such neoplasms are more common in the knee area, which at an early age are always exposed to various injuries, as a result of which the epithelium is damaged. Ordinary papillomas can be either single or multiple. When papillomas multiply, their daughter neoplasms are always located next to the maternal one.
Type and location of plantar warts
Plantar papillomas occur in patients with HPV types 1, 2, 4. Such neoplasms are often confused with calluses, but several factors can indicate that a person has plantar papilloma:
- the neoplasm is very similar in appearance to a vulgar wart;
- when tight shoes put pressure on the tumor at its location, pain occurs;
- the absence of a skin pattern on the surface of the neoplasm, since on a callus such a pattern is always preserved, and its surface is smooth.
Papillomas of the plantar type can collapse on their own, which often occurs in young children.
Sometimes small blisters may appear around one papilloma on the sole, which is called mosaic papillomatosis in the medical community.
Formation of flat papillomas
Flat papillomas rise just a couple of millimeters above the surface of the skin, which is why they got their name. They are elongated or round in shape, usually located on the face, near the lips, on the upper part of the body, and on the external genitalia. Often in women they can be localized in the cervical area. Flat papillomas located nearby can merge with each other, forming very noticeable neoplasms. Their color rarely differs from the color of the skin, sometimes they are slightly darker than it.
Filiform warts
In medicine, filamentous warts are formations on a thin stalk with an elongated elongated shape.
They have another scientific name - acrochords. Acrochordas are caused by HPV types 2 and 7. The growth of a filamentous wart begins with a tiny bump on the skin, which eventually stretches out and begins to hang down.
Filiform warts most often form after the age of 40 in people of both sexes. Such papillomas are localized in the upper eyelid, on the neck, in the armpits, on the mammary glands, and in the groin area. The danger of filamentous papillomas is that they can be injured more easily than others, which usually leads to an increase in the number of papillomas, their inflammation, and sometimes to degeneration.
Signs of genital warts
Genital condylomas refer to formations of the papillary type, which can exist singly or combine entire groups of individual neoplasms. When groups of papillomas begin to grow, they merge together, forming with their own surface something like a cauliflower or cockscomb. The color range of such growths varies from beige-flesh to bright pink.
The occurrence of genital warts indicates the presence of HPV in the patient’s body, the types of which are sexually transmitted.
This fact explains the most likely locations of the formations - in the anus, on the labia, in the groin or perineum. In the case of men, condylomas can occur on the penis, in the urethral area, and in women - in the vagina or on the cervix.
Genital warts grow too quickly, often covering large areas of tissue as they grow. Sometimes, merging together, condylomas can form one large, disturbing growth in just a couple of days. Even after treatment, condylomas are more prone to recurrence than other types of HPV. Also, when diagnosing this disease, doctors often prescribe additional examinations, since this virus can be accompanied by chlamydia or mycoplasmosis.
Methods for treating tumor inflammation at home
The only home therapy possible in case of inflammation of the tumor is first aid and keeping the damaged area clean with the help of antiseptics.
The use of folk recipes that contain aggressive active ingredients is strictly prohibited. Such as celandine, iodine or vinegar. This may cause additional damage to inflamed tissue. Don't put off going to the doctor. Inflammation of a neoplasm can be a symptom of its malignancy, that is, degeneration into a malignant tumor.
Before visiting a doctor, you are allowed to:
- Hygiene procedures;
- Barrier method of contraception;
- Taking any immunostimulants;
- Balanced diet;
- Make an appointment with a specialist;
Important!
An Internet search engine will not replace an experienced dermatologist for an inflamed growth!
Contact an experienced dermatologist immediately. You may need additional consultation with a specialist, such as a urologist or gynecologist. This is due to the localization of neoplasms.
Precautionary measures - what are they and why are they needed?
Mandatory measures for rejection of papilloma:
- thorough treatment of the wound with an antiseptic;
- after the procedure, cover with a bandage and seal with an adhesive plaster;
- it is imperative to contact a specialist;
- After this, tissue from the formation should be submitted for analysis.
A qualified doctor will advise on further actions and tell you what to do when the tumor hurts. As a result, only a doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment for papilloma. Self-healing should not be attempted, since neoplasms can be oncogenic.
Rehabilitation after therapy for an inflamed growth
Regardless of which method of removing the inflamed growth you choose after discussing this issue with your doctor, you must take precautions to prevent complications and relapse of the disease.
These include:
- If possible, avoid getting the area of damaged skin wet until the crust formed after removal falls off;
- Do not cover the area of skin undergoing the removal procedure with a plaster or bandage;
- Do not use emollient cream or decorative make-up at the site of the removed tumor;
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun until the damaged area of the skin acquires the shade of the underlying epithelium;
- Maintain a balanced menu;
- Try to reduce physical and psychological stress to a minimum;
- Take antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs as prescribed by your doctor.
Prevention of relapse
To prevent the recurrence of skin defects and prevent the inflammatory process in existing tumors, it is necessary to follow simple rules:
- Take care of personal hygiene so as not to create conditions favorable for the reproduction of HPV. It prefers a moist, warm environment;
- Prevent possible rubbing of existing tumors with clothing fabric;
- If the growth comes off, treat the damaged area of skin with an antiseptic and cover it with a plaster or bandage;
- If possible, avoid nervous and physical fatigue;
- Support your immune system by taking complex vitamin supplements.
Compliance with these simple conditions will help you maintain your health and avoid relapses of the disease.
