What do papillomas look like?

If such a growth appears on the skin of a person, then he asks what changes have occurred in the body and are they dangerous? Read on for helpful information on the characteristics of the different types of papillomas. This information will help you to recognize the presence of such formations in order to promptly take action if necessary.

Types of papillomas

Why do these processes often appear on the skin with age? These skin changes are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV for short. After infection with such a pathogen, the patient develops papillomatosis, in which warts of various forms appear on the skin or mucous membranes. These tumors are benign, but certain types of papillomas have a high risk of regenerating into a malignancy. For this reason, you should definitely visit your doctor if you notice such changes in your skin!

Medicine knows more than 40 types of papilloma virus, which cause different forms of disease in humans. The type of virus that has entered the body depends on the shape of the papilloma, as the infection manifests itself in different types of formations on the body. According to the general classification, the following types of growth are distinguished.

  1. Simple, also known as vulgar growth - horny darkening.
  2. Plantar - affects the soles of the feet.
  3. Acrochords are string instruments, the body rests on one leg.
  4. Flat formation or common warts - usually appear in adolescents in the area of the hands, fingers, face.
  5. Sharp - localized on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genitals or anus.
  6. Squamous cell - includes squamous epithelium, developed by the action of viruses and stromal (base of connective tissue and blood vessels).
  7. Basal cells - develop from the cells of the basal layer of the epidermis or from the hair follicles.
  8. Internal - they arise not in areas of externally visible parts of the body, but where they are hardly noticeable, for example, in the larynx or bladder.
papillomas on fingers

Sharp

Such growths are often referred to as warts. Their characteristic features are their small size and distinctive shape: wide base and pointed tip. These warts are fleshy or pinkish and appear singly or in clusters. They are distinguished by rapid growth: in just a few days, when there is only one growth, a whole group of them is formed. In appearance, this family resembles a cauliflower inflorescence. Genital warts are usually located on the mucous membranes: in the mouth, on the tongue, as well as on the genitals or near the anus.

Scaly

The skin growth caused by the HPV virus is one of the most common, as it can be very localized throughout the body. What does this type of papilloma look like? These are flat forms of round or oval shape, slightly protruding above the surface of the skin - no more than 1 mm, which can be both tender and show signs of keratinization. Often they appear in groups, in color they are practically no different from the surrounding sheath.

Such growths mainly occur on the upper body: in the face (for example, on the nose or lips), neck. They usually appear on mucous membranes: inside the mouth on the cheeks or tongue. Squamous cell tumors can be diagnosed in the esophagus, larynx, as well as in organs of the genitourinary system and even in the rectum. People with such a shape are advised to have them removed because of the high risk of degenerating into a malignant form.

Basic cell

These warts are often called senile warts or warts because they usually affect the skin of older adults. These formations grow slowly from the basal layer of the epidermis (hence the name) or from the hair follicle, appearing on the surface of the skin as pink to dark brown papillae. The most common areas of the body for basal cell carcinoma are the armpits, back, lips, and nose. Their distinguishing feature is that they never degenerate into cancerous tumors, therefore they are considered safe.

basal cell papilloma on the back

What papillomas look like in intimate places

When it comes to formations in the genital area, it means pointed formations. Papillomas of this type are overgrown cells of the upper layer of the epithelium, which look like small groups of papillae. Such a development can often affect both sexes equally. They are localized in the groin and directly on the surface of the genitals: in men - on the tip of the penis or in the lumen of the urethra, in women - on the vaginal mucosa, the surface of the cervix and inuterus itself. .

Manifestations of changes in the genital organs, which occur as a result of an HPV infection, require special attention from the patient. He needs to consult a doctor and remove the lumps on his genitals, because when the disease turns chronic, the risk of infertility and cancer increases greatly.

Photo: what papillomas look like on the body

To visualize for yourself exactly and clearly what these formations are, it will be helpful for you to take a picture of what such formations look like. See this photo gallery that shows examples of different types of papillomas. With these photos, you or your loved one can check for warts and you can determine in advance whether these warts require removal and prevent serious risks to your health. with your health.

papillae under armpapilloma on the neck