Papilloma in the neck

Neck papillomas are one of the manifestations of an infectious disease caused by the human papilloma virus. Refers to benign skin formations.

Causes of neck papillomas

There is an etiological reason why papillomas begin to grow in the neck or any other area of ​​the human body - human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is a member of the Papovaviridae family. There are more than 100 serotypes of this pathogen, each of which is responsible for the appearance of a different clinical picture of the disease (papilloma, condyloma, warts - these concepts are synonymous, different names are associated with the features of localization in an area ofset).

The main routes of transmission are the contact family and the genitals (perianal region warts). The virus is able to penetrate the skin only in the presence of micro-damage or open wounds, in other cases it is not able to cross the protective barrier of the skin.

Pathogen Information

1. It has a high prevalence regardless of gender (however, it occurs in women more often than men), age or region (according to some reports, 2/3 of the planet is infected with this virus).
2. Contains double-stranded, twisted-ring DNA that is able to integrate into the human genome.
3. Infection with several strains is associated with a high carcinogenic risk, especially in the case of permanent damage. Neck papillomas are caused by non-oncogenic strains of the virus.
4. A virus goes through two main stages in the distribution process. In the first stage, it is in episomal (free) form, and in the same period, the main division of the viral particle occurs. This stage is reversible (after treatment, a long-term remission occurs). In the second stage - integration, the virus enters the cell genome (the first step towards cell degeneration and the formation of a malignant neoplasm). The first phase is transient and passes relatively quickly, while the second is latent and explains the existence of carriers.
5. The basal layer of the epidermis is affected, where the virus replicates. In the remaining layers, the pathogen can continue but not divide. Provided the virus is in the embryonic layer as it grows, the normal differentiation of cells in all layers of this area is disrupted, especially at the level of the prickly layer.
6. There is a tendency for long-term asymptomatic transport in the body (from several months to a year). It is rarely possible to identify a specific moment of infection - that is why treatment begins during a period of intense clinical manifestations, and not at the first vague signs.
7. To prevent infection, bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines are used, which are particularly effective against the most oncogenic strains 16 and 18.

Predisposing factors

1. Lack of hygiene. Since the virus is able to maintain vital activity in the external environment for a long time, it is necessary to carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene when visiting public places (swimming pool, spa, gym).
2. Traumatic skin injuries. Micro cracks or scratches on the skin (for example, caused by rubbing the neck with the collar of a shirt) are enough for the virus to penetrate.
3. Function of the damaged immune system. With the lack of immunity of any genesis, favorable conditions are created for the development of any infection. For example, frequent colds and infectious diseases lead to weakening of the immune system and the appearance of papillomas on the skin.
4. Self-infection when itching of the skin.
5. Systematic lifestyle disorder (stress, lack of physical activity, improper diet). These factors affect the work of all metabolic processes in the body and lead to a decrease in skin barrier function.
6. Environmental factors that affect the reduction of the body's defenses (hypothermia, excessive ultraviolet exposure).

External manifestations of the disease

Cervical papillomas in the picture look like this:

1. The growth is most often located on a broad base and protrudes significantly above the surface of the skin. Rarely, the base of the papilloma is represented by a thin leg (in this case, the formation assumes a hanging position). In the second option, the risk of injury is much higher.
2. The boundaries of education are equal and clear.
3. The color does not change from the surrounding skin. In rare cases, it may be somewhat paler or darker than adjacent tissue.
4. The surface is often smooth, smooth. Sometimes growths are possible on the upper part of the papilloma, which makes its surface ribbed.
5. Diameter varies greatly - from 1-3 mm to several centimeters (small diameter papillomas are more common).
6. Location in any neck area (back, front side). Sometimes the face is involved.

As a rule, there are many lesions located along the folds of the skin.

In very rare cases, papillomas in the neck can become malignant, meaning they degenerate into a skin tumor. This can occur as a result of infection with an oncogenic HPV strain.

Signs that may indicate a malignant transformation are as follows:

• color change and heterogeneity (polymorphism);
• border change (blur, loss of definition);
• appearance of asymmetry (when drawing a line through the conditional middle of the formation, two equal halves cannot be obtained);
• intensive growth;
• bleeding or ulceration (a non-specific symptom, as it is typical even for a simple trauma to the neoplasm);
• itching, burning, peeling;
Abandonments
• are formed (small girl formations around the central one).

The appearance of such signs does not necessarily mean degeneration of the papilloma, but means that you should consult a doctor and undergo a differential diagnosis, finding out if we are talking about a common inflamed mole orskin cancer.

How to get rid of papillomas on the neck

Treatment of neck papillomas is performed only in a complex way with a simultaneous effect on the pathological focus of the skin and the pathogen itself in the blood.

There are several ways to fight:

Method	Description
Medication	The use of cytostatics, immunomodulators was created to suppress viral agent replication in the affected area and reduce its concentration in the blood. Some drugs (keratolytics) are applied topically directly to destroy skin growth (cauterize and cause tissue necrosis).
Physical Methods	Cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrocoagulation. Aim to get rid of papillomas on the neck and other parts of the body. These methods allow you to restore the aesthetic appearance of open areas and remove the viral reservoir - the skin neoplasms themselves, but they do not completely remove the virus from the body.
Combination Therapy	Combines the previous two options and is therefore more effective.

Treating papillomas with folk remedies at home (celandine juice, for example) is ineffective and often dangerous, in any case, a prerequisite is consultation with a doctor.

Physical methods of destruction

it is possible to effectively reduce formations using the following physical methods:

Method	Description
Local action with concentrated acid solutions	A solution is used 1. 5% zinc chloropropionate to 50% 2-chloropropionic acid, a combination of nitrogen, acetic, oxalic, lactic acids and copper nitrate trihydrate, etc. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis by a specialist (dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist) in accordance with surgical rules. . . The agent is applied directly with a spatula until the color of the formation changes to a lighter one (as soon as this has happened, further application should be stopped immediately). For a complete cure of papilloma, on average, you should do 1-2 treatments.
Electrocoagulation	Using a special electric knife, a point cut of the formations is performed without touching the underlying tissue (it has a minimal effect on healthy skin cells). The method is most suitable when the formation has a long stalk and small size.
Cryodestruction	Focus is exposed to liquid nitrogen, ultra-low temperature leads to tissue necrosis. It's good to clear this way of education on a broad basis. Nitrogen action time is chosen by a specialist (1-5 minutes). After moxibustion, a burn is formed, which heals within an average of 10 days.
Laser removal	The most modern and delicate approach to removing growths in conspicuous places such as the neck. Has the most positive reviews. With the help of a light guide from 5 seconds to 3 min in a continuous mode, the focus is affected. The recovery period is much shorter than with other methods (5-7 days). The technique is accompanied by minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues due to the high accuracy of the action.
Classical surgical removal (scalpel incision)	Used extremely rarely, only with large lesions or suspected malignancy. The reason is that the lesions are often numerous, scattered around the neck and too small for incision, in addition, after the surgical incision, impressions may remain, which in themselves create a cosmetic defect.