Papillomas on the neck (filamentous warts) are the result of human papillomavirus infection caused by ingestion or activation of human papillomavirus (HPV) that is already within cells. This site of localization of neoplasms is often found. Experts call these papillomas filiform warts (skin tags). 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 to treat papillomas on the neck is the task of specialists. Infection with the human papillomavirus is dangerous for health and can lead to the growth of malignant tumors, especially in combination with genital warts and urogenital diseases.
Mechanism of disease development
Papillomavirus is found in most sexually mature people. HPV enters the body through damage, cracks, during massage, using other people's hygiene products, shoes, as well as through unprotected sex. For several months or even years, the papilloma virus does not manifest itself in any way, indicating a chronic carrier. When viruses multiply in the superficial layers of the skin, tissue hyperplasia occurs, filamentous outgrowths appear on the neck and other parts of the body.
Important! HPV does not persist in the environment. The virus dies quickly in household items. The infection occurs mainly by direct contact.
During shaving, manicuring, self-infection is possible when an inactive virus is activated. The disease passes to the stage of active clinical manifestations, then hyperplastic processes occur on 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 serious infectious diseases, surgical interventions that weaken the immune system, reduce the body's adaptive capabilities;
- frequent skin damage from clothing, hygiene and care products;
- performing 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 climacteric changes, when the activity of sex hormones decreases.
In young women, the cause of papilloma on the neck is usually 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 filiform, yellowish or flesh-colored outgrowths. The neoplasms have a fairly dense consistency. Its 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 in shape.
Papillomatous outgrowths of this type are not prone to magnetization, but if damaged, the risk of tissue malignancy remains. Neoplasms can become inflamed, often causing the spread of the papillomavirus to healthy skin with the appearance of new warts.
Exam for papillomas on the neck
The causes of papillomas on the neck and the treatment methods can be determined during a comprehensive examination. If filamentous outgrowths appear, you should consult a dermatologist.
Basic methods for diagnosing papillomas on the neck, armpits and other parts of the body:
- PCR;
- dermoscopy;
- tissue biopsy of neoplasms;
- histological examination.
Papillomas on the neck differ from the common wart, fibroma, and birthmark. 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.
A biopsy of papilloma tissue is performed if a malignant process is suspected. Chronic papillomavirus infection contributes to tissue hyperplasia and often leads to magnelization. Therefore, it is very important to detect viruses with high oncogenic risk in time and eliminate 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 health status 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. Other tactics depend on this. Papillomas are the result of 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.
Very often, experts prescribe a drug with antiviral activity, which also has an immunomodulatory effect. It is extremely important, especially with frequent relapses, to increase the activity of the immune system to reduce the number of exacerbations per year.
Therapeutic treatment of human papillomavirus infection continues for several months. During the intake of drugs, 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 any reason the specialists postpone the surgical treatment of warts on the neck, it is necessary to renounce the garments that injure the neoplasms. Even with minor damage, the risk of the papillomavirus spreading to healthy areas of the body increases dramatically.
In addition to antiviral drugs, you can use pharmaceuticals prepared to remove papillomas. But this method of treatment is traumatic. With an increased oncogenic risk, it cannot be used.
Pharmacy products for the removal of papillomas
Ready-to-use preparations for removing papillomas on 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 to remove warts and papillomas with prepared products:
- Before applying the topical preparation, it is necessary to treat healthy skin with zinc paste or vegetable oil;
- the use of products for the treatment of children under 10-12 years and adults with sensitive skin and chronic allergic pathologies is prohibited;
- Do not apply medication 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 wash the skin urgently with soap and running water to neutralize acids and alkalis.
Common medicines to get rid of papillomas:
- The drug in tablets, which belongs to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents. It 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 to the base. During application of the product, there is a slight tingling and burning sensation. The skin turns white and then becomes red with the formation of a blister. Complete regeneration of tissues occurs in 2-4 weeks.
- The application of the product is based on the cold effect on the papilloma. The low temperature destroys the neoplasms, causes serious alterations in the metabolism and nutrition of the tissues, which leads to their death.
- Celandine products. Similar drugs are used to remove papillomas on the neck at home. In addition to the juice of celandine, they contain other aggressive components, including alkalis. Before using the product, healthy skin should be protected with a fat cream, vegetable oil or zinc ointment.
Pharmaceutical products for the fight against papillomas are used according to the official instructions for use. Some medications are aggressive in 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 minimally invasive surgical methods to remove the papillomas on the neck.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment of papillomas is the gold standard. Any neoplasms that appear on the skin and mucous membranes in the context of human papillomavirus infection should 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 with a scalpel.
The doctor chooses a specific method to remove papillomas based on data from a comprehensive exam. Surgical excision of skin tumors is performed with a large tumor and 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 outgrowths on the skin and mucous membranes. The method provides the most precise and specific effect on a controlled tissue depth. There are no painful sensations during the procedure. Most of the time, specialists use injectable anesthesia or anesthesia.
High-energy lasers vaporize viral neoplasms with a highly directed laser beam. In this case, there is a simultaneous coagulation of the blood vessels. Exposure to high temperatures prevents the spread of the papillomavirus with blood flow to areas of healthy skin.
A scab forms at the site of the destroyed papilloma, which disappears on its own after about a week. A slight redness 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 the papillomas and leads to their destruction. Later, the tissues die with the formation of a small scab.
During the procedure, the cytoplasmic and intercellular fluid freezes, the cellular structures of the papilloma are damaged, rendering the neoplasm unviable. Exposure to low temperatures stops lymphatic circulation and blood flow in the tissues of the papillomatous tumor.
During the application of liquid nitrogen, the skin becomes white, slightly swollen, and after the procedure it becomes red with the appearance of an inconspicuous blister. Complete tissue regeneration occurs in a few weeks.
Radio wave papilloma removal
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 eliminate neoplasms by evaporating cells. During the procedure, the tissues are pulled apart, as if using a scalpel. The method is suitable for those who need histological analysis 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 electrical current, burns the base of the tumor. The method is more suitable for removing small papillomas, as the electrocoagulator has a small working loop size.
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, balneotherapy).
Traditional methods
Alternative treatments include both local remedies to eliminate 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 carriers of the virus.
The most widely used local remedy is celandine juice. It is dotted in 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 for use on sensitive skin and mucous areas.
At home, you can try to remove small papillomatous growths 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 garlic cloves 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.