How dangerous are anal warts and how to treat them?

Papilloma is a benign neoplasm.

Visually, the growth looks like a small nipple, and its structure consists of epithelial cells.

The tumor can affect not only the surface of the skin, but also the mucous membranes. Sometimes it becomes malignant.

Significant inconvenience is caused by growths in the anus. In addition to physical discomfort (sensation of a foreign object in the rectum, itching, burning, etc.), such an intimate problem causes obvious embarrassment and reluctance to consult a specialist. Occurring in a visible place, papillomas bring more aesthetic discomfort.

Reasons for appearance

The appearance of papillomas in the anus is caused by HPV infection. Small cracks and injuries in the skin allow the pathogen to penetrate into the body of a healthy person. If papillomas appear on the bottom of a small child, one can judge about HPV infection during delivery.

The entry of the virus into the body does not mean the immediate occurrence of papillomas. Growths can appear even after a long time.

The catalyst for this is usually the following factors:

• decreased immune defense of the body.
• Gestational period.
• Having bad habits.
• Colds.
• Chemical exposure.
• The presence of chronic illnesses. The most dangerous periods are periods of exacerbation.
• Long-term use of hormonal drugs.

Excitement and emotional stress also negatively affect the general condition of the human body.

Why do rashes appear?

As mentioned earlier, there are a huge number of people who are infected with HPV. However, as doctors note, not all of them develop symptoms typical of an infectious process.

It is quite natural to ask why not all people suffer from manifestations of the virus. In order for anal condylomas in men to begin to form, a number of specific factors must additionally influence the body. These factors reduce the immune system, depriving the body of protection against viral particles and the ability to suppress their activity.

Doctors can name a huge number of different abnormalities, but the most often mentioned are:

• acute diseases of a viral or other nature
• the presence of one or more sexually transmitted infections in the body
• prolonged stay in a temperature regime that cannot be considered comfortable for a particular person
• various pathologies of the hormonal system (and especially often diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders)
• exposure to various stress factors, which often have an extremely negative impact on a person’s general condition, including his immunity
• various errors in nutrition, insufficient consumption of microelements, vitamins and other substances useful for the functioning of the immune system, etc.

Separately, as doctors note, it is worth remembering the conditions of immunodeficiency. They can be either congenital or acquired.

Patients suffering from HIV infection are primarily at risk, since this dangerous virus primarily attacks the immune system. With HIV, the course of the disease is often rapidly progressive and has a high degree of malignancy.

Transmission routes

The appearance of papillomas in the anus is preceded by infection with papillomavirus.

This usually happens in two ways:

1. Sexual contact without a condom.

Please note: anal sex is not the only way to infect a partner during sexual intercourse. A carrier of HPV can transmit the virus through kissing, oral or vaginal sex. Unprotected sex with an infected person is the most common way to spread HPV. The health of his partner depends on the duration of the relationship with the carrier of the virus.

1. Transmission of the virus through household contacts.

Personal hygiene items are required.

You cannot share a washcloth, epilator, razor, etc. with an HPV-infected roommate.

How dangerous is the disease?

A person may not suspect for a long time that he is a carrier of papillomavirus. Since the first infection is carried out unnoticed, the virus, controlled by the immune system, does not make itself felt. The time period from penetration into the body to the formation of condyloma is from a couple of weeks to several years.

The virus enters the tissue and begins to actively develop. With an increase in the number of mature cells, it moves closer to the surface, resulting in growths. Being in this phase, a person is a carrier of the disease. Papillomavirus is transmitted through close contact with the skin of an infected person, and in rare cases through sexual contact. The pathology is dangerous because simple warts can develop into cancerous tumors with metastases to other organs.

Symptoms

Growths in the anus (otherwise known as condylomas) are not always harmless. Due to their location, they are often injured, which subsequently increases the risk of their degeneration into malignant tumors.

The initial stage of infection is almost asymptomatic.

Over time, papilloma in the anal canal is determined by the following signs:

• irregular pain in the abdominal area.
• Problems with bowel movements (diarrhea, constipation).
• Discomfort in the anal area, which is accompanied by pain, burning and itching.
• Constant humidity in the specified location.
• Discharge of blood from the anus.
• Slight increase in body temperature.
• Etc.

If papillomas appear in the anal area, one can judge the long-term development of the disease in the patient’s intestines. Systematic damage to growths can provoke secondary infection. Please note: the lack of proper and timely treatment is fraught with cancer in the injured area.

Symptoms

In the photo, anal papilloma can be easily distinguished from many other similar growths. Although it is still better to entrust the diagnosis to an experienced specialist.

A person may suspect that he has papillomas near the anus if he is concerned about:

• constant feeling of moisture in the anal area;
• unusual compactions in this area;
• the occurrence of abrasions;
• regular itching;
• pain during defecation.

There is usually no severe pain. In some cases, patients complain of such a symptom as a feeling of the presence of a foreign object in the anus. Sometimes a small amount of blood is released, this is characteristic of damage to papillomas.

Quite often, people who encounter such an unpleasant disease for the first time mistake it for an attack of hemorrhoids. As a result, they stop abnormal bleeding with suppositories or ointments, simply wasting time instead of immediately contacting a specialist.

Varieties

According to medical data, papillomas in the anus are classified according to their appearance.

Regardless of the patient’s age, he may develop the following types of papillomas:

• genital warts. The base of the growth is very thin, and the tumor itself visually resembles a comb.
• Tumor-like. The rarest variant of papillomas. Outwardly they look like a small swollen tumor.
• Papular. They are sometimes confused with warts due to their bumpy surface and dark color.
• Keratotic. The surface of such growths is quite dry. Visually, condylomas look like a small dense callus.

Skin formations in the anus can be point-like or grouped. Usually their arrangement is arbitrary; often condylomas grow on the anal ring, surrounding it with large tubercles.

Diagnostics

A proctologist diagnoses HPV (human papillomavirus). Based on the patient’s complaints, the specialist will conduct a series of diagnostic measures. All procedures are painless and will help in establishing the correct diagnosis. Here they are:

• interviewing the patient, collecting anamnesis.
• Visual inspection of the anal area, checking for growths.
• Examination of the rectum using sigmoidoscopy. This technique allows using a microscope to identify tissue injuries to the epithelium of the anus. The data obtained will provide the doctor with a complete picture of the patient’s intestinal condition.
• Collection of blood or tissue sample that will be required to carry out the necessary tests in the laboratory (cytology, biopsy).

Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor will be able to confirm or refute the patient’s anal papillomatosis.

Please note: timely contact with a specialist will help prevent serious complications of the disease. Self-medication is unacceptable.

Healing after removal of anal warts

Medically removed warts do not require any measures.

If destruction of formations by any means is required, the patient needs observation during the healing period:

• the first 3-5 days - daily dressings with antiseptic treatment of postoperative wounds, taking into account the non-sterility of the anal area, to prevent suppuration;
• during the healing period, you should take laxatives and limit physical activity;
• Until the scar is completely formed, periodic examinations by a proctologist are necessary.

Ideally, during the first week, and then two to three more times until the wounds are completely healed, a sample of material should be taken from the treated areas for control tests for HPV.

If the patient was diagnosed with warts with oncogenic types of papillomaviruses before treatment, then observation should be extended to a year.

Control tests are also taken more times.

Treatment methods

Detection of condylomas in the anus requires their immediate treatment. A specialist should recommend the necessary therapy, taking into account a number of certain factors.

These include:

• patient's age.
• The condition of his skin.
• The presence of chronic pathologies, especially in the acute stage.

The data obtained, as well as the clinical picture of the disease, allows the doctor to determine how to treat papillomas in the anus.

Important: after successful therapy, the patient must undergo regular examinations. Control of the pathology will prevent relapse or begin its elimination in a timely manner.

Medications

The use of medications is the primary method in the fight against the virus. A competent, highly specialized specialist can advise how to treat anal papillomatosis.

Please note: you cannot prescribe medications yourself, as this will only worsen the course of the pathology.

The basis of drug therapy is to increase the patient’s immune defense. Drugs prescribed by a specialist must have an anti-inflammatory effect.

If papillomas are located in the anus, the most convenient for use are suppositories, ointments and sprays.

Treatment with drugs is aimed at getting rid of growths and suppressing viral infection. It is impossible to completely eliminate HPV.

Folk remedies

Treatment of papillomas in the anal area can also be carried out at home. It is permissible to use traditional medicine together with taking medications. The following home remedies are recommended for use:

• tinctures.
• Decoctions of herbs and a mixture in the form of gruel.
• Lotions and baths.
• Compresses.

The main components of home recipes are celandine, rowan, Kalanchoe, garlic, etc.

In addition to local effects on the affected area, you can prepare general strengthening medications. Plants that stop the inflammatory process and accelerate wound healing are suitable for these purposes.

Surgical intervention

This method is the most effective option for getting rid of HPV of all possible ones. To ensure that the procedure is as safe as possible, you should consult a proctologist.

Removal of papillomas in the anal area is possible using the following methods:

1. cryotherapy. Liquid nitrogen is used during the operation. The wound will heal in a couple of weeks, and a small mark will remain in its place.
2. Laser. Blood loss is minimal, but the wound takes a long time to heal.
3. Radio waves. Full recovery after removal using this method occurs in 2-3 weeks.
4. Electrocoagulation. It involves cauterization of papilloma tissue using an electric current. Healing lasts about a month.
5. Using a scalpel. After surgical excision, the injured area recovers within 3-4 weeks.

Each method has its own pros and cons, which a qualified doctor can familiarize you with.

In children

Young patients often complain about the discomfort caused by papillomas in the anal area. To treat pathology, the same techniques are used as for treating adults.

The usual recommendations of doctors in the presence of papillomatosis in children are as follows:

• removal of growth using laser.
• Freezing the tumor.
• Removal of papilloma by surgery.

The most optimal treatment method is selected for each patient individually.

It is necessary to take into account the patient’s age, the presence (absence) of chronic ailments, and the condition of his skin.

Folk remedies: effective or not?

Traditional medicine has many recipes, which, according to reviews from the Internet, are quite effective and not as expensive as medications; details are in this article. This is why people so often turn to alternative medicine for help. However, you should always remember that any traditional method of treatment does not have a sufficient evidence base regarding its effectiveness, but often has a large number of contraindications. In order not to harm your health, it is advisable to consult with your doctor before using such methods of therapy. Otherwise, the condition may worsen, and sometimes even serious complications arise after such treatment. Here are the 2 most popular and effective methods (according to reviews from the Internet):

• use of lemon tincture. To prepare, you need to take a whole medium-sized lemon and grind it using a blender. Then you need to add 5-7 tbsp to the resulting slurry. red wine and 1-2 chopped garlic cloves. All this must be mixed until a homogeneous paste is formed and left to infuse for an hour. You need to drink lemon tincture 2-3 times a day 15 minutes before meals, 1-2 tbsp.
• lotions using rowan. First you need to prepare a paste of ripe berries (grind them in a blender). Then place the resulting pulp under several layers of gauze and apply to the affected skin or mucous membrane for 15-20 minutes.

Remember that traditional methods of treatment help only as a symptomatic treatment, but do not in any way affect the root cause of condylomas. Therefore, they can only be used as a complement to conservative treatment.