Methods of prevention and treatment of human papillomavirus in women and men

How and what to treat papillomas: basic methods

Papillomas are benign neoplasms that appear on the skin and protrude above it. They have the appearance of papillae on a thin stem or a wide base and consist of connective tissue. The color of the papilloma is from pinkish to brown. Neoplasms appear on different parts of the body - arms, legs, neck, chest, back, face. The causes of the appearance of papillomas on the neck and in other places are infection of the skin with the human papilloma virus (HPV).

Papillomas cause certain aesthetic inconveniences, and are also easily injured: they can be accidentally caught with a nail, sponge, comb, razor, rubbed with clothes, belt. At the same time, due to the entry of pathogenic microorganisms through the damaged epidermis, inflammation of the papilloma may begin: it changes color, increases in size, itches, sometimes bleeds and hurts. Therefore, it is recommended to remove unaesthetic "growths" on the body.

Symptoms of human papilloma virus

These benign neoplasms appear due to infection with HPV, which is spread by contact - this means direct contact of a person with the skin/mucous membrane of the carrier or the use of his hygiene items. A person may not even suspect that he is a carrier, because the virus "sleeps" for a long time. As a result of stress, infections, hormonal failures, exacerbation of chronic diseases, taking antibiotics or other factors that reduce immunity, papillomas form on the body.

The main symptoms of the human papillomavirus are the appearance of benign neoplasms on the skin and mucous membranes. HPV is considered a carcinogenic agent. However, not all types of human papilloma virus trigger the mechanism of malignant tumor formation.

About 40 types of HPV affect the anogenital area, causing condyloma acuminata.

The papilloma virus can also become the "culprit":

• flat condylomas;
• cervical dysplasia;
• cervical cancer;
• cervical neoplasia;
• carcinomas and other malignant neoplasms;
• warts.

The human papillomavirus in men can cause genital warts on the head of the penis and foreskin. In addition to the fact that condylomas sometimes lead to a narrowing of the foreskin, the risk of infection occurs in the sexual partner of a carrier of the virus. Therefore, both women and men need to be tested for HPV.

Human papilloma virus treatment in women and men

Any self-medication, including "proven" folk methods, is unacceptable. It can cause an increase in papillomas, spread to neighboring areas (papillomatosis), tissue malignancy (transformation into malignant). How and with what to treat papillomas is determined by the doctor after a visual examination and additional examination (PCR diagnosis, cytological and/or histological examination).

Unfortunately, there are no specific drugs for HPV therapy yet.

Removal of papilloma

The treatment scheme includes the removal of papillomatous foci. Large and/or inflamed neoplasms are surgically removed. Electrocoagulation is considered an effective method of getting rid of papillomas. The procedure does not require special preparation and is practically painless (surface anesthetics are used). The method is safe, no scars remain after its use. After electrocoagulation, a crust forms, with peeling of which a depigmented spot remains on the skin for some time.

A modern gentle method, after which no traces are left, is laser papilloma removal. During the session, the blood vessels are sealed in parallel with cauterization of the benign neoplasm, so the procedure is bloodless. It is performed using a local anesthetic. The risk of damage to nearby tissues is reduced to zero. At the place of the removed papilloma, a red mark remains for a certain time, which disappears on its own or after applying ointments prescribed by the doctor. The removal procedure should not be performed in a cosmetic office, but in a specialized medical facility and only after consultation with a dermatologist or dermatologist-oncologist.

The main method of prevention is vaccination

Vaccination against human papillomavirus is currently the only way to protect yourself from cervical cancer caused by HPV. The vaccines available today are safe. They are effectively used in many countries to prevent HPV. Vaccination should be given before the first sexual contact, so WHO recommends vaccination of girls and boys aged 9-13. Currently, there are vaccines to protect against 2, 4 and 9 oncogenic types of HPV.

It should be known that vaccines do not treat HPV and related diseases, but only prevent them. Read more about this on our website.