What is papilloma on the lip?
The strain is not dangerous while in the connecting layers. The latent period can drag on for many years and become more active when favorable circumstances arise. It is dangerous after “ripening” and appearing on the surface. The incubation period is from 1 to 5 months.
When infection occurs through hygiene items, lipstick, kissing or oral sex, papilloma forms in the mouth. In other situations, outbreaks are concentrated in other places. Of the 200 known strains, not many will “take root” on the oral mucosa.
In this area, 6 species that belong to the low risk group are active. This indicates a negligible risk of transformation into a malignant neoplasm. In order to eliminate this possibility, examinations need to be carried out at the initial stage. The reasons are as follows:
- As the epithelium grows, normal cell division will become uncontrolled.
- Any damage to the membrane will open access to oncogenic strains that lead to cellular degeneration.
- Malignancy of the mucous membrane can be indicated by discomfort, the taste of blood, and growth of the pedicle. At this time, it is easily injured on the lower lip and in the oral cavity by means of a fork, bone, teeth, or hot drinks.
Epidermal neoplasm brings more aesthetic troubles than physiological ones. When the smallest changes are unnoticeable, the papule on the lips is shaped like a comb or cauliflower.
Likely consequences
Papilloma, in addition to cosmetic discomfort, is dangerous due to serious complications. The growths are highly oncogenic, so the lack of timely treatment sometimes provokes the degeneration of the tumor into malignant melanoma.
If you do not follow the rules of hygiene and often damage the defect by biting, scratching or rubbing, the likelihood of the virus spreading to other parts of the body increases significantly.
Independent removal of papilloma leads to bleeding and the appearance of microcracks. All this contributes to the worsening of the pathology due to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, a purulent inflammatory process develops in the polyp.
Causes
External symptoms of the disease in the form of neoplasms on the lips occur after the body is infected with the virus and only when it is active. The main factor is that the immune system is not able to cope with pathologies, that is, for a certain period it reduces its protective functions.
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This happens due to various factors depending on the patient:
- Bad habits. The negative effects of alcoholic beverages and smoking significantly complicate your overall well-being.
- An unbalanced diet , due to which the body lacks important vitamins and microelements. This leads to a variety of gastrointestinal diseases.
- Constant hypothermia, which contributes to the formation of chronic inflammatory diseases.
- The use of antibiotics over a long period of time and hormonal changes at different ages weaken the body's protective functions.
- Psycho-emotional experiences and stressful situations.
Therefore, for the proper functioning of the immune system, it is necessary to limit any harmful influences. It is also necessary to have information about how infection with the human papillomavirus occurs.
Routes of transmission of HPV
The routes of transmission of the human papillomavirus are very diverse. The risk of infection increases with promiscuous sex. The possibility of “catching” HPV cannot be ruled out when visiting public places (beauty salons, beaches, swimming pools, saunas). Handshakes, kisses and other contacts, in the presence of scratches and cracks in the skin, cause the appearance of papilloma on the lips. In exceptional cases, the virus is transmitted to newborns.
HPV does not make itself felt immediately. The incubation period lasts from several months to six months.
Symptoms
The main sign of the presence of a dangerous viral disease is the growth of an unattractive bulge on the mucous membrane of the lip. At the same time, the patient’s general condition does not change in most situations.
Viral papillomas appear on the outer and inner sides of the lip in the form of a minor neoplasm in the form of a papilla, mostly flesh-colored.
It has a rough and villous surface, with a diameter of 1 mm to 2 cm. During increased keratinization, it becomes white. Signs of its transformation into a benign tumor are a feeling of pain and hardening of its legs.
When several adjacent papillomas merge, a group cluster appears that looks like a bunch of grapes. As a result of extensive growth, the virus can spread to the oral mucosa and cause difficulties in the process of eating or communicating.
Description of the disease and types of growths
Rough villous growths have a stalk with clear boundaries and a lobular structure. They come in flesh color. Their diameter never reaches 2 cm. New growths of papilloma during keratinization take on a light shade. Externally, papilloma is similar to other types of tumor.
If a small formation on the upper lip is benign, then its base becomes denser and painful sensations occur. This also applies to the lower lip.
Types of papillomas on the lips:
- vulgar, or ordinary (tight knot);
- thread-like (oblong);
- genital warts (look like cauliflower);
- flat (raise slightly above the skin).
There are 2 types of warts on the inside of the lips:
- Reactive. Tend to progress due to continuous external irritation.
- Neoplastic. These are numerous nodular rashes. They can merge and create a fairly large growth.
Both types are painful and dangerous if any damage is present.
Diagnostics
Warts that appear on the lip are predominantly benign, but under negative influence they can transform into a malignant tumor.
Therefore, if such difficulties arise on the skin of the lips, it is optimal to carry out a high-quality examination and identify the type of HPV in order to exclude oncogenesis. The specialist needs to make sure that the tumor is benign.
For these purposes, various methods are used, through which the type of HPV is determined, its localization, and sometimes biomaterial is taken for additional diagnostics (if cancer is suspected).
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First, you need to see a doctor. He conducts an external examination and asks questions to determine the stage of development of the pathogen. After a preliminary examination, he refers to the following procedures:
- Biopsy analysis (to determine whether the neoplasm is benign).
- HPV test (for further proper elimination).
- Dermatoscopy is a method that makes it possible to diagnose at the initial stage of the disease. Only the papilloma that has formed on the lip can be examined by the doctor using a special device (enlarges the picture). The advantage is that it is possible, without surgical intervention, to see the boundaries and structure of the growth. However, if the process progresses, when the growth changes its shade, shape, and begins to quickly change in size, it makes sense to use a different examination technique.
The main condition before being checked by a specialist and taking tests is a ban on visiting a solarium and using self-tanning products.
Can it develop into cancer?
Benign warts can develop into a cancerous tumor. This deadly complication is caused by constant damage to the growth and attempts to remove the growths on your own.
If the papilloma becomes thicker, begins to hurt or bleed, then you need to urgently contact an oncologist.
Melanoma is considered one of the most dangerous malignant diseases, so a wart on the lip requires constant attention and timely removal.
Treatment
There are often situations when growths disappear on their own. But there is a risk of their spreading to other parts of the face and body. Therefore, it is necessary to think about how best to get rid of such a flaw. It is best to get advice from a qualified doctor.
He prescribes individual therapy. Usually, vitamin complexes and antiviral drugs make it possible to strengthen the immune system. This helps to achieve positive treatment results in the shortest possible time.
Electrocoagulation
This method is effective for eliminating papillomas on various parts of the skin. The elimination device is small in size with a loop at the end. The metal loop is heated with a high-frequency current, and then the growth is cauterized.
A few seconds and the manipulation is over (depending on the number and size of the tumor). The procedure is painless and is performed under local anesthesia.
Sometimes 1 session is enough to completely get rid of a wart. The method is effective in that it virtually eliminates the occurrence of relapses.
During removal, the capillaries are cauterized, which prevents the wound from bleeding. Recovery occurs within 1–2 weeks. First, a crust forms, which will fall off on its own. Then the skin will become smooth and pink, without the formation of scars.
Laser removal
Eliminating papilloma using a laser beam has many advantages. This is a quick method and there is no bleeding. The effect occurs only on damaged parts, without touching healthy surrounding tissues.
Due to the properties of the laser, postoperative infections are excluded. The recovery period is fast, there are no complications in the form of scars or other damage.
The method is actively used in the treatment of growths in children. It is necessary to correctly calculate the duration of the procedure and the depth of action of the laser beam.
Having evaporated the liquid from the changed tissues, the beam leads to their destruction. To avoid tissue burns and pain relief, the device has a built-in cooling system. Thus, the execution technique is safe.
Cryodestruction
The method also has positive characteristics. Low-temperature liquid nitrogen, entering pathological tissues, leads to their destruction.
The smaller the papilloma on the lip, the less the depth of the influence. In the situation of large and overgrown growths, there is a possibility of undergoing another therapy session after 2 weeks after the first procedure.
Chemical method
The simplest, but fraught with risk. Caustic substances that contain salicylic acid are applied to the neoplasm. Actions must be careful so as not to damage healthy tissue. The procedure must be carried out by a highly qualified specialist.
Surgical method
New technologies and equipment make it possible to avoid radical surgical intervention, which was often used until recently. Various negative factors that arise after surgery have almost completely eliminated its use for removing various types of papillomas.
Drug treatment
When a patient does not want to treat the human papillomavirus with hardware methods, a specialist may recommend conservative therapy using medications. Such therapy is no less effective, but takes more time.
Such measures do not replace the need for diagnostics. The treatment regimen consists of antiviral and immunomodulatory agents. Isoprinosine, Panavir, Immunomax, Reaferon, Allokin-alpha, etc. are often prescribed.
Local medications with a similar effect can be used auxiliarily, for example, Oxolinic ointment, Viferon, Condilin, etc.
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Not all medications for papillomas that are sold in pharmacies can be used to eliminate growths on the lips, therefore, before using any drug, you need to read the instructions. Certain medications can be aggressive and cause burns.
When choosing a therapeutic method for eliminating papilloma on the lips, you must first consult with qualified specialists and carry out a diagnosis.
Is it possible to prevent the appearance of papillomas?
To prevent HPV from becoming active, you should:
- strengthen immunity;
- take vitamin complexes regularly;
- lead a healthy lifestyle, walk in the fresh air every day;
- avoid depression and stress;
- give up bad habits;
- use contraception during sexual intercourse.
After treatment, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene and avoid casual sexual contact to avoid infection. It must be remembered that all types of viruses are activated when the functioning of the body’s defense system deteriorates.
