Papillomas on the neck (filamentous warts) are the result of human papillomavirus infection provoked by the ingestion or activation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) already inside the cells. This site of localization of neoplasms is often found. Experts call such papillomas filiform warts (acrochord). They can appear not only on the neck, but also in the armpits, behind the ears, under the mammary glands.
Determining the causes and choosing methods for treating papillomas on the neck is the task of specialists. Human papillomavirus infection is dangerous to health, can lead to the growth of malignant tumors, especially in combination with genital warts and urogenital diseases.
Disease development mechanism
Papillomavirus is detected in the majority of sexually mature people. HPV enters the body through injuries, cracks, during massage, the use of other people's hygiene products, shoes, as well as through unprotected sexual intercourse. For several months or even years, the papillomavirus does not manifest itself in any way, which indicates a chronic carrier. When viruses multiply in the surface layers of the skin, tissue hyperplasia occurs, filamentous outgrowths appear on the neck and other parts of the body.
Important! HPV is not persistent in the environment. The virus quickly dies on household items. Infection occurs mainly through direct contact.
During shaving, manicure, self-infection is possible when a “dormant” virus is activated. The disease passes into the stage of active clinical manifestations, and then hyperplastic processes occur in the skin.
Causes of papillomas on the neck
It's almost impossible to say exactly why papillomas appear on the neck. Experts identify the following predisposing factors:
- transfer of severe infectious diseases, surgical interventions that weaken the immune system, reduce the body's adaptive capabilities;
- frequent damage to the skin by items of clothing, hygiene and care products;
- conducting massage with non-compliance with infectious safety techniques, in low-quality salons by workers infected with HPV;
- hormonal disorders, endocrine pathologies;
- presence of other types of papillomas, genital warts and warts on the body and genitals.
Experts believe that the causes of papillomas on the neck may be associated with hormonal changes in the body. This confirms the fact that filamentous warts often appear after endocrine pathologies, during pregnancy and during menopause, when the activity of sex hormones decreases.
In young women, the cause of papilloma on the neck is often ovarian dysfunction. But initially HPV must be in an inactive form in the body. The hormonal surge is only a provoking factor.
Clinical manifestations
Neck papillomas have practically no clinical manifestations. Outwardly, they resemble small filamentary outgrowths of yellowish or flesh-colored. The neoplasms have a fairly dense consistency. Their size rarely exceeds 6 mm. Most often, filamentous papillomas on the neck are found in small groups, they can grow together and form foci that resemble a cock's comb or cauliflower in shape.
Papillomatous outgrowths of this type are not prone to magnetization, but if they are damaged, the risk of tissue malignancy remains. Neoplasms can become inflamed, often provoking the spread of papillomavirus to healthy skin with the appearance of new warts.
Examination for papillomas on the neck
It is possible to determine the causes of papillomas on the neck and treatment methods during a comprehensive examination. If filamentous outgrowths appear, you should consult a dermatologist.
The main diagnostic methods for papillomas on the neck, armpits and other parts of the body:
- PCR;
- dermatoscopy;
- biopsy of neoplasm tissues;
- histological examination.
Papillomas on the neck are differentiated from common wart, fibroma, moles. The virus can be determined during the PCR study. This method allows you to identify the DNA of the virus, to assess the degree of oncogenicity of the formation and the amount of HPV. The most dangerous types of HPV are 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer.
Papilloma tissue biopsy is performed if a malignant process is suspected. Chronic papillomavirus infection contributes to tissue hyperplasia and often leads to magnelization. Therefore, it is so important to timely detect viruses with a high oncogenic risk and remove papillomatous outgrowths.
Treatment methods
The treatment regimen for papilloma on the neck is selected individually. This takes into account:
- the number of neoplasms, their shape and size;
- general state of health of the patient;
- degree of risk of malignancy of neoplasms;
- the presence of concomitant diseases, including external and internal tumors, urogenital infections.
To understand how to get rid of papillomas on the neck, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive examination, be sure to determine the type of HPV. Further tactics depend on this. Papillomas are the result of an active multiplication of the virus and require antiviral therapy.
Therapeutic Treatment
Medicines for human papillomavirus infection are used only after consultation with the attending physician. Such funds inhibit the further growth of HPV, prevent complications, including malignancy of the neoplasm.
Most often, experts prescribe a drug with antiviral activity, which additionally has an immunomodulatory effect. It is extremely important, especially with frequent relapses, to increase the activity of the immune system in order to reduce the number of exacerbations per year.
Therapeutic treatment of human papillomavirus infection continues for several months. During medication intake, it is recommended to monitor laboratory parameters, donate blood and urine,
in order to detect an increase in the load on the liver and kidneys in time.
If for some reason the specialists postpone the surgical treatment of warts on the neck, it is necessary to give up clothes that injure the neoplasms. With even minor damage, the risk of papillomavirus spreading to healthy areas of the body increases sharply.
In addition to antiviral drugs, you can use ready-made pharmaceuticals to remove papillomas. But this method of treatment is traumatic. With an increase in oncogenic risk, it cannot be used.
Pharmacy products for removing papillomas
Ready-made preparations for removing papillomas from the neck contain acids and aggressive components that destroy neoplasm cells. It is recommended to use such funds in accordance with the attached instructions and after consulting your doctor.
Basic principles of removing warts and papillomas with ready-made products:
- Before applying the topical preparation, it is necessary to treat healthy skin with zinc paste or vegetable oil;
- it is prohibited to use products for the treatment of children under 10-12 years of age and adults with sensitive skin and chronic allergic pathologies;
- Do not apply drugs to moles.
If, during the use of a papilloma removal agent, part of the drug gets on healthy skin or mucous membranes, it is necessary to urgently wash the skin with running water and soap in order to neutralize acids and alkalis.
Common drugs for getting rid of papillomas:
- The drug in tablets, which belongs to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents. Reduces the amount of the virus, which contributes to a gradual reduction in the size of the neoplasm. Recommended to be combined with local treatment.
- A preparation used to freeze papillomas to the very base. During the application of the product, there is a feeling of slight tingling and burning. The skin turns white and then reddens with the formation of a blister. Complete tissue regeneration occurs in 2-4 weeks.
- The application of the product is based on the cold effect on the papilloma. Low temperature destroys neoplasms, causes serious disturbances in the metabolism and nutrition of tissues, which leads to their death.
- Celandine products. Similar drugs are used to remove papillomas on the neck at home. In addition to celandine juice, they contain other aggressive components, including alkalis. Before using the product, healthy skin must be protected with a fat cream, vegetable oil or ointment with zinc.
Pharmaceutical products for the fight against papillomas are used in accordance with the official instructions for use. Some drugs have an aggressive composition that can cause inflammation, irritation and even chemical burns to tissues. With high sensitivity of the skin, such agents are contraindicated. It is better to use surgical minimally invasive methods for removing papillomas on the neck.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical treatment of papillomas is the gold standard. Any neoplasms that appear on the skin and mucous membranes against the background of human papillomavirus infection must be removed. No specialist can guarantee that sooner or later the neoplasm will not lead to magnelization and the growth of a malignant tumor.
The main methods of surgical removal of papillomas on the neck:
- laser coagulation;
- cryodestruction;
- radio wave mode;
- electrocoagulation;
- surgical excision of the neoplasm using a scalpel.
The doctor chooses a specific method for removing papillomas based on the data of a comprehensive examination. Surgical excision of skin neoplasms is performed with a large tumor size and the risk of malignancy. In other cases, specialists try to use minimally invasive techniques that do not leave scars and spots on the skin.
Laser coagulation
The laser effectively fights outgrowths on the skin and mucous membranes. The method provides the most accurate and targeted effect on a controlled tissue depth. There are no painful sensations during the procedure. Most often, specialists use injection anesthesia or application anesthesia.
High-energy lasers vaporize viral neoplasms with a highly targeted laser beam. In this case, there is a simultaneous coagulation of blood vessels. High-temperature exposure prevents the spread of papillomavirus with blood flow to healthy skin areas.
A scab forms at the site of the destroyed papilloma, which disappears on its own after about a week. A slight reddening of the skin remains for 2-3 months and then disappears completely.
Cryodestruction
Cryodestruction is based on the cold effect on skin neoplasms. Liquid nitrogen freezes papillomas and leads to their destruction. Subsequently, the tissues die off with the formation of a small crust.
During the procedure, the cytoplasmic and intercellular fluid is frozen, the cell structures of the papilloma are damaged, which makes the neoplasm unviable. Low-temperature exposure stops lymph circulation and blood flow in the tissues of the papillomatous tumor.
During the application of liquid nitrogen, the skin whitens, slightly swells, and after the procedure it turns red with the appearance of an inconspicuous blister. Complete tissue regeneration occurs in a few weeks.
Radio wave removal of papillomas
The radio wave method of getting rid of papillomas is notable for its availability and moderate trauma. When radiofrequency waves penetrate the skin, heat is released, with the help of which it is possible to remove neoplasms by evaporating cells. During the procedure, the tissues move apart, as if using a scalpel. The method is suitable for those who need histological analysis after surgical removal of papilloma.
Electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation is a modern method of removing papillomas. During the electrosurgical procedure, the doctor cuts off the stem of the neoplasm, and then, using an electric current, burns out the base of the tumor. The method is more suitable for removing small papillomas, since the electrocoagulator has a small size of the working loop.
Important! Surgical treatments are combined with antiviral therapy and immunostimulating agents.
The growth of neoplasms is associated with the activity of the immune system. Specialists pay special attention to increasing immunity both with the help of drugs and with the use of safer methods (swimming, hardening, spa therapy).
Traditional methods
Alternative treatment includes both local remedies to remove papilloma and formulations for internal use that increase immunity. Echinacea has immunostimulating properties. Tincture from this plant with prolonged use increases the activity of the immune system and resistance to contacts with virus carriers.
The most commonly used local remedy is celandine juice. It is dotted on the neoplasm several times a day. The duration of treatment is no more than 5-7 days. It is not recommended to use celandine juice to remove large papillomas due to the high risk of burns. The product is not used on mucous and sensitive skin areas.
At home, you can try to remove small papillomatous outgrowths on the neck with salicylic acid. Garlic applications can be used to stop the growth of HPV and reduce the risk of spreading the pathogen to healthy tissues. For this, several cloves of garlic are rubbed on a grater, the resulting mass is applied to skin neoplasms. This method should not be used for cuts and any damage, as well as for removing papillomas on the mucous membranes.