When the body is infected with papillomavirus, growths appear on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. After treatment they disappear, but due to the chronic course of the disease they may reappear. In some cases, signs appear that make it clear that the wart is going away, and over time it disappears without treatment.
Causes of appearance in the oral cavity
Growths appear on the root of the tongue, gums, inner surface of the cheeks, lips, palate, and throat. The main causative agent of the disease is HPV. There are the following causes of warts on the root of the tongue and other parts of the oral cavity:
- HPV enters the mucous membranes through toothbrushes. If you use only your own hygiene products, your chances of becoming infected with papillomavirus are reduced.
- The infection is transmitted through kissing. Viruses enter epithelial cells through damaged mucosa.
- Sexual contact is a common route of infection with a dangerous virus.
The first symptoms of the disease may appear after several years. The virus remains in a state of suspended animation in the body and does not reveal itself.
Under the influence of provoking factors (hypothermia, decreased body defenses, hormonal disorders), HPV activation occurs.
Infection carriers notice growths on the inner surface of the lips, gums, and tongue.
The following are at high risk of contracting human papillomavirus infection:
- People with bad habits (smoking, alcoholism).
- Pregnant, lactating, teenagers who experience hormonal changes in the body.
- Men or women who are sexually promiscuous.
- People with chronic diseases of the digestive, immune, and urinary systems.
Papillomavirus can be caught in the gym, swimming pool, bathhouse, sauna. The pathogen is often found under the nails. Wounds, cracks, scratches are entry points for infection. Personal hygiene and proper treatment of traumatic injuries prevent the development of a dangerous infection.
General information
Warts, as well as papilloma, occur in children and adults. The formation of growths can occur on any part of the body, and in appearance they look more than “unattractive”, which is why they cause a feeling of discomfort in the patient. But it is much more important that the pathology can be contagious and transmitted to a healthy person as a result of household or sexual contact.
The cause of development in most cases is the human papillomavirus (HPV), characterized by the activity of microorganisms that provoke the formation of abnormal formations of a benign type on tissues.
Due to the fact that both forms of tissue surface deformation are similar in general characteristics, there is a misconception that a wart and a papilloma are the same thing, but there is a big difference between them.
Papilloma
A neoplasm in the form of a papilloma is a pathological growth of epithelial cells of the dermis with a soft surface. Initially, the size of the formation is microscopic (0.2 mm), but gradually it can increase to 2 cm. The papilloma is oval in shape and light brown in color. The texture of the tumor is loose, and its outline is uneven. It is attached to the upper layer of the epithelium on a wide stalk.
The location is mainly in the armpits, neck, face and groin. The growth can be single or multiple. In most cases, in one area there are from 5 to 20 neoplasms measuring 0.2 - 0.5 cm. In many ways, the prevalence of the pathological process depends on the state of the immune system, which resists the virus.
How to distinguish from other formations
There are many growths in the oral cavity that need to be distinguished from each other. Treatment is selected according to the nature of the disease. Warts should be differentiated from fibromas, Serra glands, and hyperplasia of the oral mucosa.
Fibroids in the oral cavity are formed from connective tissue and are small nodules located on a stalk. The growths are covered with ordinary mucous membrane. They grow slowly. The main difference from warts is that fibroids always have a smooth surface, without pathological outgrowths.
The appearance of connective tissue growths is associated with injury to the mucous membrane by sharp edges of teeth, dentures, and crowns. Inflammatory changes in the oral cavity (gingivitis, stomatitis) provoke the appearance of fibroids.
Warty formations appear against the background of reduced immunity.
Serra glands are benign in nature and characterized by slow growth. Localized in the area of the alveolar process and hard palate. The growths are round yellow formations. On palpation they have a dense consistency.
To treat or not to treat?
There is a common belief that warts do not need to be treated. And scientists confirm: indeed, there are types of growths that go away on their own. The period can vary from four to six months to three or more years.
If the wart does not interfere with life and does not spoil the appearance, in principle, you can wait and check whether it belongs to such a self-liquidating species. The main thing in this case is not to touch the growth: do not tear, do not scratch, do not burn.
In other cases (when the wart worsens the quality of life or disfigures the appearance), treatment is necessary.
Features of localization: tongue, throat, lip
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Pathological formations can be located in different parts of the oral cavity. They are divided into reactive and neoplastic. The first type is localized in an area of constant irritation (tongue, gums). Neoplastic formations occur rarely. They are located in groups and look like nodular growths.
Warts on the tongue are a common localization of growths. The organ of taste is constantly injured by the teeth, which creates conditions for the penetration of human papillomavirus infection. Condylomas interfere with eating. They often bleed. Visible localization and discomfort force the patient to seek medical advice.
A wart on the gum can be located on the outside or inside. Does not cause any discomfort. It goes unnoticed for a long time and is detected by the dentist.
The wart may appear on the inside of the lip. Condyloma does not manifest itself symptomatically. A person does not notice the problem for a long period of time. When the tumor reaches a large size, discomfort in the oral cavity is noted.
A wart may grow in the throat. Patients complain of soreness and coughing. If the element increases in size, normal food intake is disrupted, and the patient’s voice changes. Similar symptoms appear when the tumor is localized in the larynx.
Methods for removing warts in the mouth and mucous membranes
There are many traditional and non-traditional methods for removing benign tumors. Some people believe that warts can be charmed with special words. Others trust traditional medicine.
The main condition for successful treatment is a timely, comprehensive impact on the problem. Pathology can be eliminated using the following methods:
- Surgical removal of growths is an affordable and safe treatment for growths. The surgeon, under local anesthesia, cuts out the pathological growths with a scalpel.
- Radio wave surgery is based on thermal effects on atypical tissues. A specialist removes the growth using a radio knife. The device burns out the growth, stops bleeding and disinfects the wound. The procedure does not cause negative emotions in the patient. He doesn't feel pain or burning. After the manipulations, a crust remains, which protects the wound from infection. Proper care of the affected area contributes to the patient's rapid recovery. The method does not leave visible skin defects (scars, scars). Radio wave surgery is used to remove condylomas, papillomas, keratoses, and fibromas.
- Doctors recommend removing warts with a laser. Laser treatment is quick and painless. Under local anesthesia, the patient is cut off the condyloma layer by layer. After the procedure, a small depression remains, which evens out over time. Laser radiation effectively copes with the problem. The technique is used on the face, eyelids, hard palate, and the back wall of the pharynx.
- Cryodestruction is a modern method of treating formations of the skin and mucous membranes. The specialist removes condylomas and papillomas with liquid nitrogen. The substance freezes the growth. The latter becomes dry and bloodless. After a few days it disappears.
- Flat and other types of warts can be removed using folk remedies. Celandine juice will get rid of the formation in a few days. Home remedies in the form of acetic acid will solve the problem in a couple of days. It is advisable to consult a doctor about the impact of aggressive substances on the growth. For the removal of condylomas in the mouth, the product is strictly contraindicated.
It is recommended to treat warts using traditional methods and not on your own. The specialist is engaged in explaining the results and finding out the true cause of the disease. After passing the necessary tests, the doctor will select a treatment strategy.
Diagnostics
A person who knows what a small growth looks like can easily recognize it on his body. If he knows little about this problem, then after a wart appears on his hands or other part of the body, he should make an appointment with a specialist. You can contact a dermatologist with this problem. The initial appointment will cost the patient 300-700 rubles.
Condylomas and other benign growths on the body must be carefully examined. The warty growth also needs to be examined using instrumental and laboratory methods. The wart is studied by scraping, ultrasound and dermatoscopy. The latest diagnostic procedures are prescribed if standard methods did not help the doctor see the full picture of the disease.
Are formations dangerous?
Warts pose a danger to the health and life of the patient. Neoplasms can transform into malignant tumors under certain circumstances. The pathology is associated with the uncontrolled growth of atypical cells. Excessive tissue growth leads to the development of cancer.
Condylomas on the oral mucosa cause discomfort as a result of a large number of nerve endings and sensitive centers. Constant trauma to neoplasms increases the risk of developing malignant tumors. Treating growths is necessary to prevent cancer.
If the patient bites down on the formation, severe bleeding occurs. As practice shows, it is difficult to stop him.
The danger of such localization is that a constant humid environment creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of microorganisms.
Preventing the appearance of warts in the mouth
Prevention of HPV infection includes the following measures:
- Have sex only with reliable partners. Protect yourself from contracting dangerous diseases (HIV).
- Do not use other people's toothbrushes. Observe basic hygiene rules.
- If you detect chronic diseases of the body, follow your doctor’s recommendations. It is advisable to be treated in a hospital 1-2 times a year to keep the pathology under control.
- Avoid stress. It is a disruption in the functioning of the nervous system that leads to numerous diseases of the body.
- Boost your immunity. Strengthen your immune system with vitamins and healthy foods.
- At the first symptoms of hormonal disorders, consult a doctor to prescribe appropriate therapy.
- Vaccination is an effective method of preventing HPV. The vaccine saves women and men from infection with papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are transmitted only through sexual contact.
The article has been reviewed by the site editors
