Causes of papillomas on the human body

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

Main culprit

It causes the appearance of annoying neoplasmshuman papilloma virus.Once in the body, it actively multiplies in epithelial cells and causes a disease called papillomatosis. Today, more than 100 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 (about 90%) are carriers of this virus. It persists in humans throughout life and does not cause the formation of a specific immunity.

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

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

How does the human papilloma virus enter the body?

1. Sexual trait

   This is the most common way the virus enters 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 just one intimate contact is enough to get infected. The mucosa becomes the gateway through which the virus spreads to other organs.

   The probability 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 the possibility of transmission of the virus during intimate relationships between homosexual couples.

   Safe sex is not a panacea for infection. Even condoms cannot always protect against this common disease. It happens that the causative agents of the virus are not present on the genitals themselves, but on the body in the groin area. During intimate contact, such places are usually not protected.

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

2. From mother to son

   This transfer mode is possible in the following cases:

   • Intrauterine infection of the child. 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 baby can become infected without passing through the birth canal. During childbirth, this virus is almost always transmitted from mother to child.

3. Domestic way

   Such cases are much less common, but there is still the possibility of contracting papilloma in this way. The causative agent of papillomas is not only very active. Theoretically it is present everywhere: in public transport, in offices, in hospitals, in shops, in schools and kindergartens.

   In some cases, it is enough to touch a carrier of the virus for a surprise to appear in the form of a new growth on the skin. Therefore, knowing it in everyday life is a very real prospect.

How does this happen?

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

• In public places.Bathrooms, saunas and swimming pools are particularly dangerous in this regard, because pathogenic microorganisms tend to spread quickly in a humid environment. There is a chance that gym lovers will also get an unpleasant surprise. When visiting such places, you should especially carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene.

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

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

  By attempting to remove an existing tumor on their own, people contribute to the spread of the virus to other uninfected areas of the body. This is especially common in children. After a short time, new growths appear on the skin and their number exceeds the original one.

The papilloma virus is transmitted quite easily (both in terms of mode of transmission and frequency of infection). This is why it is so widespread.

Stealth and deception

A distinctive feature of the papilloma virus is that a person may not realize that he is infected for a long time. The virus lives calmly in his body, without manifesting itself in any way.

When entering the body, the causative agent of papilloma does not spread to 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 feel a slight itching or tingling on the skin.

It is believed that in this state the virus is not transmitted to others.

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

Wake up the sleeping monster

At a certain point, the virus, peacefully dormant in the body, receives a signal for action and begins to actively manifest itself.

The appearance of tumors on various 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 take over immediately, since at this moment the immune system is activated - the body's ability to resist the introduction of any foreign agent.

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

The insidious virus awaits the right moment to show itself in all its splendor. This opportunity appears 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 is no longer able to fully perform its protective functions.

2. Lack of adequate rest.When a person rests, his 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 necessary amount of valuable proteins, it will automatically begin to redistribute existing reserves. First of all, the muscles will receive valuable material. But the immune system will be forced to run out of the elements it needs. If at the same time a lack of vitamins is detected, 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 weakened. It is especially dangerous if the disease has not been thoroughly treated, but only the symptoms have been alleviated with the help of fast-acting remedies. Long-term use of drugs also sometimes causes the papilloma virus to receive a signal to act.
5. Bad habits.Smoking, alcohol abuse, the use of narcotic and toxic substances and other similar addictions cause irreparable damage to the immune system and therefore 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 occurring in the hormonal sphere for some reason provoke the appearance of neoplasms.

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

1. Pregnancy.Most often, 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 their more active spread. Clothing, which becomes increasingly tight during pregnancy, creates friction between the fabric and the body, which leads to the appearance of further 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 drugs.Some of them, as a side effect, interrupt the formation of skin fibers, thus increasing the risk of unwanted growths on the body.
4. Menopause in women. Women over the age of 40 experience major hormonal changes called menopause. Even an ideally healthy woman of this age runs the risk of discovering previously undetected neoplasms.
5. Abortion, any gynecological diseases.The activity of all organs of the human reproductive system and its hormonal state are interconnected. Therefore, any problems in the reproductive system are risk factors that contribute to the activation of the papilloma virus.

Elderly 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 older people papillomas spread throughout the body.

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

By knowing the reasons for the appearance of these annoying neoplasms, you can minimize the possibility of knowing them.

Prevention of the formation of papillomas on the human body

• A tidy sex life, having a regular sexual partner, using contraception during casual sexual intercourse, showering after intimate contact. It is advisable for both partners to undergo regular check-ups by a gynecologist and a urologist.
• Observe necessary personal hygiene measures, especially when visiting public places. You should adhere to simple rules: keep your hands clean, take a shower after visiting the pool or gym.
• Choose a healthy lifestyle, taking into account a well-structured diet.
• Respect for the work and rest regime.
• Timely examination of the hormonal state of the body, followed by taking 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 on the body will be significantly reduced.

The virus was activated: papillomas appeared

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

Why do growths appear here? Skin folds, places where sweat and, consequently, moisture accumulates, are an ideal place for sabotage by an insidious enemy. Once activated, the virus is capable of generating entire outbreaks 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 cosmetic. Cases of transformation of papillomas into malignant neoplasms are known, so it is worth immediately preventing this possibility of 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 that are more likely to lead to the formation of a malignant tumor.

You should not take this issue 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 growth, therapy is prescribed to maintain the body's immune system.

Many people, wary of minimal and painless surgical intervention, 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 on the body, a curettage or smear is carried out.

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