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 experience psychological discomfort about such unexpected surprises and wonder: where do papillomas come from?

Main culprit

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 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 (about 90%) are carriers of this virus. It persists in humans for life and does not cause the formation of specific immunity.

In order 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 papilloma virus enter the body?

1. Sexual tract

   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, infection with the virus occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse. Sometimes a single intimate contact is enough to become infected. The mucous membrane becomes the very 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 and during oral or anal contacts. There is a possibility of transmission of the virus during intimate relations among 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 signal indicating that the virus has entered the body through this method of transmission will be the appearance of genital warts (anogenital warts) localized in the genital area.

2. From mother to child

   This method of transfer 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. Household way

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

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

How does this happen?

• Through household items.Papilloma viruses can be transmitted if a virus carrier and a healthy person use the same toiletries 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 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 sharply if there is even minor damage to the skin. They become a kind of gate through which the causative agent of papilloma immediately enters the body.

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

  By making attempts 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 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 transmission methods and frequency of infection). This is why it is so widespread.

Stealth and deceit

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

When it enters the body, the causative agent of papilloma 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 feel a slight itching or tingling sensation on the skin.

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

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

Wake up the sleeping monster

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

The appearance of neoplasms 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 in detail each of these reasons.

Decreased immunity

Once in the body, the virus cannot immediately take over, 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 functioning fully, 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 in no condition to harm.

The insidious virus is waiting for the right moment to show itself in all its glory. 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 for mobilizing 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 work 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 its existing reserves. First of all, the muscles will receive valuable material. But the immune system will be forced to be left 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 becomes weakened. It is especially dangerous if the disease was not treated thoroughly, but only the symptoms were muffled with the help of quick-acting remedies. Long-term use of medications also sometimes leads to the papilloma virus receiving a signal to act.
5. Bad habits.Smoking, alcohol abuse, use of narcotic and toxic substances and other similar addictions cause irreparable harm to the immune system and thereby contribute to the activation of the virus.

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

Hormonal changes in the body

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

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

1. Pregnancy.Very often, the changes occurring 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 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 youthful acne, neoplasms may appear on different parts of the body in adolescents.
3. Taking hormonal drugs.Some of them, as a side effect, disrupt the formation of skin fibers, thereby increasing the risk of unwanted growths on the body.
4. Menopause in women. Women who have passed the age of 40 undergo major hormonal changes called menopause. Even an ideally healthy woman at 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 status 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, there is an age-related decrease in the activity of the immune system, 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 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 becoming acquainted with them.

Prevention of the formation of papillomas on the human body

• An orderly sexual life, having a regular sexual partner, using contraception during casual sexual contact, taking a shower after intimate contact. It is advisable that both partners undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist and urologist.
• Observe the 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.
• Choosing 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 taking measures to normalize it (if necessary).

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

The virus is activated: papillomas have appeared

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

Why do growths appear here? Folds of skin, places where sweat and, accordingly, moisture accumulate, are an ideal place 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 see a doctor, even if they do not cause any discomfort other than aesthetic ones. There are known cases of transformation of papillomas into malignant neoplasms, 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 likelihood 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 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 scraping or smear is taken.

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