Papillomas on the neck

Papillomas on the neck are one of the manifestations of infectious diseases caused by the human papillomavirus.They belong to benign skin formations.

Causes of papilloma in the neck

There is one etiological reason why papillomas begin to grow on the neck or in any other area of the human body - infection with the human papillomavirus (Papillomavirus, HPV), which represents the Papovaviridae family.There are more than 100 serotypes of this pathogenic agent, each of which is responsible for the appearance of a different clinical picture of the disease (papilloma, condylomas, warts - these concepts are synonymous, different names are associated with the uniqueness of localization in certain areas).

The main route of transmission is through household contact and sexual contact (condylomas in the perianal area).The virus can penetrate the skin only in the presence of microdamages or open wounds;In other cases, it cannot penetrate the skin's protective barrier.

Pathogen information

1. It has a high prevalence regardless of gender (however, it occurs in women somewhat more often than men), age or region (according to some data, 2/3 of the planet is infected with this virus).
2. Contains double-stranded, circular, twisted DNA that can be integrated into the human genome.
3. Infection with some strains is associated with a high carcinogenic risk, especially in the case of permanent injury.Papillomas in the neck are caused by non-oncogenic strains of the virus.
4. During the division process, the virus goes through two main stages.In the first stage, it is in the form of episomes (free) and during the same period the main division of the virus particles takes place.This phase is reversible (long-term remission occurs after treatment).In the second stage - integrative, the virus is implanted into the cell's genome (the first step towards cell degeneration and the formation of malignant neoplasms).The first stage is temporary and passes quickly, and the second is latent and explains the existence of the carrier.
5. The basal layer of the epidermis is affected, where viral replication occurs.In the remaining layer, the pathogen may persist, but not divide.Provided that the virus is in the germinal layer, as it grows, the normal differentiation of the cells of all the layers of this area is disrupted, the disruption is particularly strong at the level of the spinous layer.
6. Have a tendency to transport cars without long-term symptoms in the body (from several months to a year).It is rarely possible to identify a specific moment of infection - this is the reason why treatment begins during the period of intense clinical manifestations, and not at the first vague signs.
7. To prevent infection, bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines are used, which are very effective against the most oncogenic strains 16 and 18.

Predisposing factors

1. Failure to comply with hygiene rules.Since this 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 pools, saunas, gyms).
2. Traumatic injury to the skin.Microcracks or scratches in the skin (for example, caused by rubbing the neck with a shirt collar) are enough for the virus to penetrate.
3. Immune system dysfunction.With immunodeficiency of any origin, favorable conditions arise for the development of any infection.For example, frequent colds and infectious diseases lead to weak immunity and the appearance of papillomas on the skin.
4. Self-infection by scratching the skin.
5. Violation of systematic lifestyle (stress, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet).These factors affect the functioning of all metabolic processes in the body and lead to a decrease in the skin's 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 photo look like this:

1. These growths are most often located on the base and protrude significantly above the surface of the skin.Less commonly, the base of the papilloma is represented by a thin stalk (in this case, the formation takes a hanging position).In the second option, the risk of injury is much higher.
2. The boundaries of education are smooth and clear.
3. The color does not differ from the surrounding skin.In rare cases, adjacent tissue may be slightly paler or darker.
4. The surface is often flat and smooth.Sometimes the growth may be on the top of the papilloma, which makes the surface ribbed.
5. Their diameter varies - from 1-3 mm to several centimeters (papillomas of small diameter are more common).
6. Location anywhere on the neck (back, side, front).Sometimes the face is involved.

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

In very rare cases, papillomas on the neck can become malignant, that is, degenerate into skin tumors.This can occur as a result of infection with an oncogenic strain of HPV.

Signs that may indicate malignant degeneration are as follows:

• color change and heterogeneity (polymorphism);
• changes in boundaries (blurring, loss of clarity);
• asymmetric appearance (when drawing a line through the conditional middle of the formation, it is impossible to get two equal parts);
• intensive growth;
• bleeding or ulcers (non-specific signs, as they are also typical for simple trauma for neoplasms);
• itching, burning, peeling;
• Screening is formed (the formation of small daughters around the center).

The occurrence of such signs does not necessarily mean the deterioration of the papilloma, but it means that it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo a differential diagnosis, knowing whether it is a mole or an inflamed skin cancer.

How to Get Rid of Papillomas on the Neck

Treatment of papilloma on the neck is carried out only comprehensively with a simultaneous effect on the pathological focus on the skin and the pathogen itself in the blood.

You can fight in several ways:

Method	Description
Medicine method	The use of cytostatics and immunomodulators is aimed at suppressing the replication of the viral agent in the affected area and reducing its concentration in the blood.Some drugs (keratolytics) are used directly to destroy skin growth (they touch and cause tissue necrosis).
Physical method	Cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrocoagulation.The goal is to get rid of papillomas on the neck and other parts of the body.This method makes it possible to restore the aesthetic appearance of the open area and remove the virus reservoir - the skin tumor itself, but does not completely remove the virus from the body.
Combination therapy	It combines the two previous options and is therefore the most effective.

Treating papillomas with folk remedies (eg celandine juice) is ineffective and often dangerous;In any case, the necessary condition is to consult a doctor.

Physical destruction method

It is possible to effectively reduce the formation using the following physical methods:

Method	Description
Local exposure to concentrated acid solutions	A solution of 1.5% zinc chloropropionate in 50% 2-chloropropionic acid, a combination of nitric, acetic, oxalic, lactic acid and copper nitrate trihydrate, etc. is used.This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis by a specialist (dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist) who complies with surgical regulations.The product is applied pointwise with a spatula until the color of the formation changes to a lighter color (once this happens, further application should be stopped immediately).To completely cure papilloma, on average you need to do 1-2 treatments.
Electrocoagulation	Using a special electric knife, the targeted isolation of the formation is performed without affecting the underlying tissue (there is a minimal effect on healthy skin cells).This method is easiest when the formation has a long stem and a small size.
Cryodestruction	These lesions are exposed to liquid nitrogen;Ultra low temperatures lead to tissue necrosis.It is good to get rid of formations with a wide base in this way.The duration of nitrogen action is chosen by experts (1-5 minutes).After cauterization, a burn is formed that heals in an average of 10 days.
Laser removal	The most modern and subtle approach, allows you to eliminate formations in prominent places such as the neck.Has the most positive reviews.Using a light guide, the wound is exposed for 5 seconds to 3 minutes in continuous mode.The healing period is much shorter than other methods (5-7 days).This technique is associated with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissue due to the high precision of the effect.
Classic Surgical Surgery (Expulsion with a scalpel)	It is used very rarely, only for large lesions or suspected malignancy.The reason is that the wounds are often multiple, scattered around the neck, and too small for isolation;In addition, after surgical excision, scars may remain, which themselves create a cosmetic defect.