Neck papillomas (filamentous warts) are the result of human papillomavirus infection caused by ingestion or activation of human papillomavirus (HPV) already inside the cells. This tumor localization site 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, it can lead to the growth of malignant tumors, especially in combination with genital warts and urogenital diseases.
Mechanism of disease development
Papillomavirus is detected in most sexually mature people. HPV enters the body through wounds, cracks, during massage, the use of other people's hygiene products, shoes, and even during 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 superficial layers of the skin, tissue hyperplasia occurs, filamentous growths 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 to the stage of active clinical manifestations, then hyperplastic processes occur in the skin.
Causes of papillomas on the neck
It is 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 adaptability of the body;
- Frequent skin damage caused by clothing, hygiene and care products;
- conducting massages 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 the HPV must be in an inactive form in the body. The hormonal surge is only a provoking factor.
Clinical manifestations
Neck papillomas practically have no clinical manifestations. Outwardly, they resemble small filamentous growths of a yellowish or flesh-colored color. 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 cockscomb or cauliflower shape.
Papillomatous growths of this type are not subject to magnetization, but if they are damaged, the risk of tissue malignancy remains. Neoplasms can become inflamed, often causing the papillomavirus to spread 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 methods of treatment during a comprehensive examination. If filamentous growths 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 neoplastic tissues;
- histological examination.
Papillomas on the neck differ from common warts, fibroids, 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 enlargement. Therefore, it is so important to timely detect high oncogenic risk viruses and remove papillomatous growths.
Methods of treatment
The treatment regimen for papilloma on the neck is selected individually. This takes into account:
- the number of neoplasms, their shape and size;
- patient's general health status;
- the degree of risk of malignancy of the 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 it. 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. While taking the drug, it is recommended to monitor laboratory parameters, donate blood and urine,
in order to timely detect an increase in the load on the liver and kidneys.
If for some reason the specialists postpone the surgical treatment of warts on the neck, it is necessary to give up clothes that injure neoplasms. With even minor damage, the risk of the papillomavirus spreading to healthy areas of the body increases dramatically.
In addition to antiviral drugs, you can use ready-made drugs to remove papillomas. But this method of treatment is traumatic. With an increased oncogenic risk, it cannot be used.
Pharmaceutical products for the removal of papillomas
Ready-made preparations for the removal of papillomas on the neck contain acids and aggressive components that destroy neoplastic cells. It is recommended to use such funds in accordance with the attached instructions and after consulting with your doctor.
Basic principles for 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 forbidden to use products for the treatment of children under the age of 10-12 and adults with sensitive skin and chronic allergic diseases;
- Do not apply drugs to moles.
If, during the use of a papilloma removal agent, part of the drug comes into contact with healthy skin or mucous membranes, it is necessary to urgently wash the skin with running water and soap to neutralize acids and alkalis.
Common drugs to get rid of papillomas:
- The drug in tablets, which belongs to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents. Reduces the amount of virus, which contributes to a gradual reduction in the size of the neoplasm. Recommended to combine with local treatment.
- A preparation used to freeze papillomas down to the base. During the application of the product there is a slight tingling and burning sensation. 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 severe 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 should be protected with a greasy cream, vegetable oil or zinc ointment.
Pharmaceutical products for the fight against papillomas are used according to the official instructions for use. Some drugs have an aggressive composition that can cause inflammation, irritation and even chemical burns to tissues. With a high sensitivity of the skin, such agents are contraindicated. It is best to use minimally invasive surgical methods to remove 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 the enlargement and 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 tumor 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 and the risk of malignancy. In other cases, specialists try to use minimally invasive techniques that do not leave scars and blemishes on the skin.
Laser coagulation
The laser effectively fights growths on the skin and mucous membranes. The method provides the most precise 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. Exposure to high temperatures prevents the spread of the papillomavirus with blood flow to healthy skin areas.
A crust forms at the site of the destroyed papilloma, which disappears on its own after about a week. A slight reddening of the skin persists for 2-3 months and then disappears completely.
Cryodestruction
Cryodestruction is based on the effect of cold on skin neoplasms. Liquid nitrogen freezes the papillomas and leads to their destruction. Subsequently, the tissues die with the formation of a small crust.
During the procedure, the cytoplasmic and intercellular fluid is frozen, the cellular structures of the papilloma are damaged, which makes the neoplasm non-viable. Low-temperature exposure disrupts lymphatic circulation and blood flow in papillomatous tumor tissues.
When applying liquid nitrogen, the skin bleaches, swells slightly and after the procedure 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 evaporation of cells. During the procedure, the tissues move apart, as if using a scalpel. The method is suitable for those who need histological analyzes after surgical removal of the papilloma.
Electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation is a modern method of removing papillomas. During the electrosurgical procedure, the doctor cuts the stem of the neoplasm and then, using an electric current, burns the base of the tumor. The method is more suitable for removing small papillomas, since the electrocoagulator has a small size of the working circuit.
Important! Surgical treatments are combined with antiviral therapy and immunostimulating agents.
The growth of tumors 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, balneotherapy).
Traditional methods
Alternative treatment includes both local remedies to remove papilloma and formulations for internal use that increase immunity. Echinacea has immunostimulating properties. The tincture of this plant with prolonged use increases the activity of the immune system and resistance to contact 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 does not exceed 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 areas of the skin.
At home, you can try to remove small papillomatous growths on the neck with salicylic acid. Garlic applications can be used to arrest 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 the skin neoplasms. This method should not be used for cuts and damage, as well as for removing papillomas on the mucous membranes.