Papillomas on the neck (filamentous warts) are the result of infection by the human papillomavirus caused by ingestion or activation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) already inside the cells. This neoplasm localization site is frequently found. Experts call these papillomas filiform warts (acrocord). 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 treatment methods for neck papilloma is a task for specialists. Human papillomavirus infection is dangerous to health and can lead to the growth of malignant tumors, especially in combination with genital warts and urogenital diseases.
Disease development mechanism
Papillomavirus is detected 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 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 bumps appear on the neck and other parts of the body.
Important! HPV is not persistent in the environment. The virus dies quickly in household items. The infection occurs mainly by direct contact.
During shaving, manicure, autoinfection is possible when an inactive 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 serious infectious diseases, surgical interventions that weaken the immune system, reduce the adaptive capacities of the body;
- frequent skin damage caused by clothing, hygiene and care products;
- 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 in the neck may be associated with hormonal changes in the body. This confirms the fact that filamentous warts often appear after endocrine disorders, during pregnancy and during menopause, when sex hormone activity decreases.
In young women, the cause of papilloma in the neck is usually ovarian dysfunction. But initially, HPV must be in an inactive form in the body. The hormonal increase is only a provocative factor.
Clinical manifestations
Cervical papillomas have virtually no clinical manifestations. Externally, they resemble small yellowish or skin-colored filamentary consequences. Neoplasms have a very dense consistency. Its size rarely exceeds 6 mm. Most of the time, the filamentous papillomas on the neck are found in small groups, they can grow together and form foci that resemble a crest of a rooster or cauliflower.
Papillomatous growths of this type are not prone to magnetization, but if they are damaged, the risk of tissue malignancy remains. Neoplasms can become inflamed, often causing 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 neck papillomas and treatment methods during a comprehensive examination. When filamentous lumps appear, you should see a dermatologist.
The main diagnostic methods for papillomas in the neck, armpits and other parts of the body:
- PCR; dermatoscopy;
- biopsy of neoplastic tissues;
- histological examination.
Papillomas on the neck are differentiated from common warts, fibroids and moles. The virus can be determined during the PCR study. This method allows to identify the virus DNA, to evaluate 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 detect viruses with high oncogenic risk in a timely manner and to remove papilloma growths.
Treatment methods
The treatment regimen for neck papilloma is selected individually. This takes into account:
- the number of neoplasms, their shape and size;
- general health of the patient;
- degree of malignancy risk of neoplasms;
- the presence of concomitant diseases, including external and internal tumors, urogenital infections.
To understand how to get rid of neck papillomas, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive exam, be sure to determine the type of HPV. Other 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 responsible physician. These funds inhibit additional HPV growth and prevent complications, including malignancy of the neoplasm.
Most of the time, specialists prescribe a medicine with antiviral activity, which also has an immunomodulatory effect. It is extremely important, especially in 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 ingestion of the medication, it is recommended to monitor laboratory parameters, donate blood and urine,
to detect an increased load on the liver and kidneys in a timely manner.
If for some reason the specialists postpone the surgical treatment of warts on the neck, it is necessary to give up the clothes that hurt the neoplasms. Even with minor damage, the risk of papillomavirus spreading to healthy areas of the body increases dramatically.
In addition to antiviral drugs, you can use medications ready to remove papillomas. But this method of treatment is traumatic. With an increased oncogenic risk, it cannot be used.
Pharmaceutical products to remove papillomas
Preparations ready for the removal of papillomas in the neck contain acids and aggressive components that destroy neoplastic cells. It is recommended to use these funds according to the attached instructions and after consulting 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;
- the use of products for the treatment of children under 10-12 years of age and adults with sensitive skin and chronic allergic pathologies is prohibited;
- Do not apply drugs to moles.
If, during the use of a papilloma remover, a part of the medication comes in contact with the skin or healthy mucous membranes, it is necessary to wash the skin urgently with running water and soap to neutralize acids and alkalis.
Common medications for the elimination of papillomas:
- The drug in tablets, which belongs to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents. It reduces the amount of virus, which helps to gradually decrease the size of the neoplasia. Recommended to be combined with local treatment.
- A preparation used to freeze papillomas to the base. During the application of the product, there is a slight tingling and burning sensation. The skin turns white and then turns red with the formation of a blister. Complete tissue regeneration occurs in 2-4 weeks.
- The application of the product is based on the effect of cold on the papilloma. The low temperature destroys neoplasms, causing 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 greasy cream, vegetable oil or zinc ointment.
Pharmaceutical products to combat 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 in the tissues. With high skin sensitivity, such agents are contraindicated. It is best to use minimally invasive surgical methods to remove papillomas in 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 in the neck:
- laser coagulation;
- free-destruction;
- 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 examination. Surgical excision of cutaneous neoplasms is performed with a large tumor and risk of malignancy. In other cases, specialists seek to use minimally invasive techniques that do not leave scars and spots on the skin.
Laser coagulation
The laser effectively combats growths on the skin and mucous membranes. The method provides the most accurate and targeted effect at a controlled tissue depth. There are no painful sensations during the procedure. Most of the time, specialists use injection anesthesia or application anesthesia.
High energy lasers vaporize viral neoplasms with a highly directed laser beam. In that case, a simultaneous coagulation of the blood vessels occurs. Exposure to high temperatures prevents the spread of papillomavirus with blood flow to healthy areas of the skin.
A crust 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 to 3 months and then disappears completely.
Cryodestruction
Cryodestruction is based on the effect of cold on skin neoplasms. Liquid nitrogen freezes 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 papilloma cell structures are damaged, which makes the neoplasia unviable. Exposure to low temperature interrupts lymph circulation and blood flow in the tissues of the papillomatous tumor.
During the application of liquid nitrogen, the skin lightens, swells slightly and, after the procedure, turns red with the appearance of an imperceptible bubble. Complete tissue regeneration occurs in a few weeks.
Removal of radio waves from papillomas
The radio wave method for getting rid of papillomas is notable for its availability and moderate trauma. When radiofrequency waves penetrate the skin, heat is released, with which it is possible to remove neoplasms by evaporating the cells. During the procedure, the tissues separate, 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 neoplasia and then uses an electric current to burn the base of the tumor. The method is more suitable for the removal of small papillomas, since 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. Experts pay special attention to increasing immunity both with the help of medicines and using safer methods (swimming, hardening, balneotherapy).
Traditional methods
Alternative treatments include local remedies to remove papilloma and formulations for internal use that enhance immunity. Echinacea has immunostimulating properties. The tincture of this plant with prolonged use increases the activity of the immune system and the resistance to contact with carriers of the virus.
The most commonly used local remedy is celandine juice. It is applied punctually to the cancer several times a day. The duration of treatment is not 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 in areas of sensitive skin and with mucous membranes.
At home, you can try to remove small papillomatous lumps on the neck with salicylic acid. Garlic applications can be used to stop HPV growth 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 in the mucous membranes.