Papillomas on the neck

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

Causes of papillomas on the neck

There is one etiological reason why papillomas begin to grow on the neck or in another area of the human body - infection with the human papillomavirus (papilloma virus, 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 (papillomas, condylomas, warts - these concepts are synonymous, different names are associated with the peculiarities of localization in a certain area).

The main ways of transmission are through domestic and sexual contacts (condylomas of the perianal area).The virus can penetrate the skin only in the presence of microdamages or open wounds;in other cases, it is unable to penetrate the skin's protective barrier.

Information about the pathogen

1. It has a high prevalence regardless of gender (but it occurs in women a little more often than in men), age or region (according to some data, 2/3 of the planet is infected with this virus).
2. It contains double-stranded, circular, twisted DNA that can integrate into the human genome.
3. Infection with some strains is associated with a high carcinogenic risk, especially in case of permanent damage.Papillomas of the neck are caused by non-oncogenic strains of the virus.
4. During the process of division, the virus goes through two main stages.In the first stage, it is in an episomal (free) form and in the same period the main division of the virus particle occurs.This phase is reversible (long-term remission occurs after treatment).In the second - integrative - stage, the virus is implanted in the cell genome (the first step towards cell degeneration and the formation of a malignant neoplasm).The first stage is transient and passes relatively quickly, and the second is latent and explains the presence of a carrier.
5. The basal layer of the epidermis is affected, where virus replication takes place.In the remaining layers, the pathogen can persist but not divide.Provided that the virus is in the germ layer while growing, the normal differentiation of the cells of all layers of this area is disturbed, the disturbances are especially strong at the level of the spinous layer.
6. There is a tendency for long-term asymptomatic carriage in the body (from several months to a year).It is rarely possible to determine the specific moment of infection - this is the reason why treatment should be started in 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 particularly effective against the most oncogenic strains 16 and 18.

Predisposing factors

1. Non-compliance with hygiene rules.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, sauna, gym).
2. Traumatic skin damage.Microcracks or scratches on the skin (for example, caused by rubbing the neck with the collar of a shirt) are sufficient for the penetration of the virus.
3. Dysfunction of the immune system.With immunodeficiencies of any origin, favorable conditions arise for the development of any infections.For example, frequent colds and infectious diseases lead to a weakening of immunity and the appearance of papillomas on the skin.
4. Self-infection by scratching the skin.
5. Systemic lifestyle disorders (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 barrier function of the skin.
6. Environmental factors affecting 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. The growth is most often located on a wide base and significantly protrudes above the surface of the skin.Less often, 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, the adjacent tissue may be slightly paler or darker.
4. The surface is often flat and smooth.Sometimes growths are possible on the tip of the papilloma, which makes its surface ribbed.
5. The diameter varies widely - from 1-3 mm to several centimeters (small diameter papillomas are more common).
6. Location of each area of the neck (back, side, front).Sometimes a person is involved.

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

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

Signs that may indicate malignant degeneration are the following:

• change and heterogeneity of color (polymorphism);
• boundary change (blurring, loss of clarity);
• the appearance of asymmetry (when drawing a line through the conditional middle of the formation, it is impossible to obtain two equal halves);
• intensive growth;
• bleeding or ulceration (a non-specific sign, as it is also typical for a simple neoplasm trauma);
• itching, burning, peeling;
• screenings are formed (small subsidiary formations around the central one).

The appearance of such signs does not necessarily mean the degeneration of the papilloma, but it means that it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo a differential diagnosis to find out whether it is a simple inflamed mole or skin cancer.

How to get rid of papillomas on the neck

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

You can fight in several ways:

Method	Description
Medicinal methods	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 applied topically directly to destroy the skin growth (they burn and cause tissue necrosis).
Physical methods	Cryodestruction, laser therapy, electrocoagulation.The goal is to get rid of papillomas on the neck and other parts of the body.These methods make it possible to restore the aesthetic appearance of the exposed areas and remove the virus reservoir - the skin tumor itself, but do not completely remove the virus from the body.
Combined therapy	It combines the previous two options and is therefore the most effective.

Treatment of papillomas with folk home remedies (for example, celandine juice) is ineffective and often dangerous;In any case, a doctor's consultation is mandatory.

Physical methods of destruction

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

Method	Description
Local exposure to concentrated acid solutions	A 1.5% solution of zinc chloropropionate in 50% 2-chloropropionic acid, a combination of nitric, acetic, oxalic, lactic acids and copper nitrate trihydrate, etc., are used.The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis by a specialist (dermatovenereologist, cosmetologist) in compliance with the surgical rules.The product is applied pointwise with the help of a spatula until the color of the formation changes to a lighter color (as soon as this happens, further application should be stopped immediately).To completely cure the papilloma, on average, you need to do 1-2 procedures.
Electrocoagulation	With a special electric knife, targeted excision of the formations is performed without affecting the underlying tissues (there is minimal impact on healthy skin cells).The method is most convenient when the entity has a long stem and small dimensions.
Cryodestruction	The lesion is exposed to liquid nitrogen;ultra-low temperature leads to tissue necrosis.It is good to remove formations with a wide base in this way.The duration of nitrogen action is chosen by a specialist (1-5 minutes).After cauterization, a burn is formed, which heals in an average of 10 days.
Laser removal	The most modern and delicate approach, allowing the removal of formations in prominent places such as the neck.It has the most positive reviews.Using a light guide, the lesion is exposed for 5 seconds to 3 minutes in continuous mode.The treatment period is much shorter than other methods (5-7 days).The technique is associated with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues due to the high precision of the impact.
Classic surgical removal (scalpel excision)	It is used extremely rarely, only in large lesions or suspected malignancy.The reason is that the lesions are often multiple, scattered around the neck, and too small to excise;in addition, after surgical excision, scars may remain, which in themselves create a cosmetic defect.