Causes of papillomas on the human body

Papillomas are small benign neoplasms that appear in different parts of the human body. They can occur suddenly at any age without causing physical suffering. People feel psychological discomfort from these unexpected surprises and wonder: where do papillomas come from?

Main culprit

Causes the appearance of irritating neoplasmshuman papilloma virus.Once in the body, it actively multiplies in epithelial cells and causes a disease called papillomatosis. Today, more than 100 of its varieties are known, among which there are particularly insidious types that contribute to the malignant degeneration of initially peaceful papillomas.

It is curious that the vast majority of the population (around 90%) carries this virus. It persists in humans throughout life and does not cause the formation of specific immunity.

To fully consider the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the human body, this process must be divided into two stages:

1. Penetration of the papilloma pathogen into the body.
2. Virus activation.

How does the papilloma virus enter the body?

1. sexual treatment

   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 practically the only one.

   Most often, virus infection occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse. Sometimes a single intimate contact is enough to get infected. The mucous membrane becomes the gateway through which the virus spreads to other organs.

   The likelihood of infection does not depend on the type of sexual contact. It is not excluded both during traditional contacts and during oral or anal contacts. There is a possibility of transmission of the virus during intimate relationships between homosexual couples.

   Safe sex is not a panacea for infections. Even condoms cannot always protect against this common disease. It turns out that the causative agents of the virus are not present in the genitals themselves, but in the body, in the groin area. During intimate contact, these places are often not protected.

   The first sign indicating that the virus has entered the body through this method of transmission will be the appearance of genital warts (anogenital warts) located in the genital area.

2. From mother to son

   This transfer method is possible in the following cases:

   • Intrauterine infection of the baby. Such situations are quite rare, but medical science knows about them. The papilloma virus tends to penetrate the placenta.
   • If a woman has papillomas on the external genitalia, the child can become infected without passing through the birth canal. During childbirth, this virus almost always passes from mother to child.

3. Domestic way

   These cases are much less common, but there is still a chance of getting papilloma this way. The causative agent of papillomas is not just very active. Theoretically, it is present everywhere: on public transport, in offices, hospitals, shops, schools and kindergartens.

   In some cases, all it takes is one touch of a virus carrier for a surprise to appear in the form of a new tumor on the skin. So meeting him on a daily basis is a very real prospect.

How does this happen?

• Through household items.Papillomaviruses can be transmitted if a virus carrier and a healthy person use the same hygiene and hygiene products. Sometimes even a simple handshake can cause infection.

• In public places.Baths, saunas and swimming pools are especially dangerous in this regard, because pathogenic microorganisms tend to spread quickly in a humid environment. There's a chance that gym lovers are in for an unpleasant surprise, too. When visiting these places, you must especially carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene.

  The risk of infection in these cases increases markedly if there is minor damage to the skin. They become a kind of door through which the papilloma causative agent immediately enters the body.

• Autoinfection.Papillomas can appear in new places on the human body as a result of normal hygiene procedures (shaving, nail trimming). Even minor damage to the skin provides a comfortable environment for the introduction and reproduction of the virus.

  By trying to independently remove an 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 period of time, new growths appear on the skin and their number exceeds the original.

The papilloma virus is transmitted quite easily (both in terms of transmission methods and frequency of infection). That's why it's so widespread.

Stealth and deception

A distinctive feature of the papillomavirus is that a person may not know that they are infected for a long time. The virus lives silently in your body, without manifesting itself in any way.

Entering the body, the papilloma causative agent does not spread throughout the internal organs and systems, but remains in the deep layers of the skin. This friendly neighborhood can last for years. Only occasionally, an infected person may experience slight itching or tingling of the skin.

It is believed that in this state the virus cannot be transmitted to other people.

If the immune system is fully functioning, at this stage the virus can be defeated and the development of the disease will not occur.

Wake up the sleeping monster

At a certain point, the virus, peacefully sleeping in the body, receives a signal to act and begins to actively manifest itself.

The appearance of neoplasms in different parts of the body occurs precisely after the activation of the virus.

What are the reasons for activation?

• Decreased immunity;
• Hormonal changes in the body;
• Age-related changes (old age).

Let us consider each of these reasons in detail.

Decreased immunity

Once in the body, the virus cannot immediately take control, since at this moment the immune system is activated - the body's ability to resist the introduction of any foreign agents.

As long as the immune system is fully functioning, performing its protective functions, the effect of the virus is suppressed. It turns out that the enemy is not completely defeated, but is weakened and unable to cause damage.

The insidious virus waits for the right moment to show itself in all its glory. This opportunity arises at the slightest weakening of the immune system.

What weakens a person's immune system?

1. Chronic stress.Any stress is accompanied by the release of a large amount of hormones into the blood. It is a natural defense mechanism to mobilize the body's physical forces and reactions. However, the functioning of the immune system is temporarily suppressed.

   If stress is chronic, there is a constant suppression of the immune system, which can no longer fully perform its protective functions.

2. Lack of adequate rest.When a person rests, their body recovers. All physiological processes return to normal. Internal systems begin to function with renewed vigor and the immune system is no exception.
3. Unbalanced diet.If the body does not receive the required amount of valuable proteins, it will automatically begin to redistribute existing reserves. Firstly, the muscles will receive valuable material. But the immune system will be forced to do without the elements it needs. If at the same time a lack of vitamins is discovered, a decrease in immunity is simply inevitable.

4. Long-term illnesses, especially those accompanied by the use of antibiotics.In this case, the cells of the immune system are damaged and it is weakened. It is especially dangerous if the disease is not treated completely, but only the symptoms are suppressed with the help of fast-acting remedies. Prolonged use of medications sometimes also gives the papilloma virus a signal to act.
5. Bad habits.Smoking, alcohol abuse, the use of narcotics and toxic substances and other similar addictions cause irreparable damage to the immune system and thus contribute to the activation of the virus.

The listed factors deprive the body of a reliable protector and make it accessible to professionals.elimination of any viruses, including human papillomavirus.

Hormonal changes in the body

Hormones are regulators of many reactions that occur in the human body. Failures that occur in the hormonal sphere for some reason provoke the appearance of neoplasms.

Several studies indicate that the human papillomavirus is hormone-dependent. It is activated if changes occur in estrogen metabolism in the body. Estrogen is a female sex hormone, which is why women are more susceptible to the appearance of papillomas due to hormonal imbalances.

1. Pregnancy.Often, the changes that occur in a woman's body during this period activate the dormant virus. Papillomas can appear on the hands, face, neck and armpits. Weight gain and sweating contribute to its more active spread. Clothes, which become increasingly tight during pregnancy, create friction between the tissue and the body, which leads to the appearance of additional tumors.
2. Adolescence.During this period, the body undergoes rapid hormonal changes associated with puberty. Against the background of such processes, in addition to traditional juvenile acne, neoplasms may appear in adolescents in different parts of the body.
3. Taking hormonal medications.Some of them, as a side effect, disrupt the formation of skin fibers, thus increasing the risk of unwanted growths in the body.
4. Menopause in women. Women who are over 40 go through major hormonal changes called menopause. Even an ideally healthy woman at this age is at risk of discovering previously undetected neoplasms.
5. Abortion, any gynecological diseases.The activity of all organs of the human reproductive system and its hormonal status are interconnected. Therefore, any problems in the reproductive system are risk factors that contribute to the activation of the papillomavirus.

Advanced age

In people during this period, an age-related decrease in the activity of the immune system occurs, as a result of which the virus enters an active phase. Sometimes in elderly people, papillomas spread throughout the body.

Once in the human body, the papilloma virus, for a number of reasons, can become active after a certain period of time.

Knowing the reasons for the appearance of these annoying neoplasms, you can minimize the possibility of meeting them.

Prevention of the formation of papillomas on the human body

• An orderly sex life, having a regular sexual partner, using contraception during casual sexual contact, showering after intimate contact. It is advisable that both partners undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist and urologist.
• Observe necessary personal hygiene measures, especially when visiting public places. You must follow 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.
• Compliance with the work and rest regime.
• Timely examination of the hormonal status of the body, followed by measures to normalize it (if necessary).

The measures listed above do not guarantee 100% protection against human papillomavirus infection, however, the risk of detecting unwanted tumors in the body will be significantly reduced.

The virus is activated: papillomas have appeared

After activation, the virus manifests itself through the formation of papillomas. The most typical places for its appearance are the perineum, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and the armpits. In obese people, tumors can appear in skin folds throughout the body.

Why do the growths appear here? The folds of the skin, places where sweat and, consequently, moisture accumulate, are ideal places for sabotage by an insidious enemy. Once activated, the virus is capable of generating entire foci of papillomas.

Defeat the enemy

The sudden appearance of any incomprehensible growths is a reason to consult a doctor, even if they do not cause any discomfort other than aesthetic. Cases of the transformation of papillomas into malignant neoplasms are known, therefore it is worth immediately preventing this possibility of the development of events.

All numerous strains of this virus are conditionally divided into three groups:

• Strains that do not cause cancer.
• Strains that can cause cancer, but the probability of such degeneration is quite low.
• Strains most likely to lead to the formation of a malignant tumor.

You should not take this problem lightly; you should seek medical help.

Currently, the treatment of this disease has two components: surgical and conservative.

With the help of a small surgical intervention, the entire colony of papillomas is removed, after which the resulting biological material is studied to determine its strain. There are several ways to remove tumors: liquid nitrogen, scalpel, electrocoagulation, 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 interventions, prefer to live with papillomas for many years or resort to dubious treatment methods.

Diagnosis and treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor based on test results. Depending on the location of the tumor in the body, a scraping or smear is taken.

Only timely consultation with a doctor guarantees proper treatment and elimination of annoying growths.