Human papillomavirus (HPV) can be present in the body for many years without manifesting itself. During periods of stress, colds, exacerbation of chronic diseases and weakened immunity, viruses “come out” in the form of skin tumors. Most often, papillomas appear under the armpits - moisture and sweat secretions constantly accumulate in this area of the body, which are a favorable environment for the spread of microorganisms.
Causes of warts under the arms
It is an established and confirmed medical fact that the appearance of warts of any kind is associated with human infection with the papilloma virus, which can remain in the body for a long time in a latent, inactive state. In this case, the carrier does not even suspect the presence of a viral agent in the blood. Infection can occur in several ways:
- Personal contact with a carrier of the papilloma virus;
- Household way - using common personal items: towel, comb, etc.;
- Autoinaculation – self-infection (damage to healthy areas of the epidermis by a virus);
- Penetration of HPV into the body through microcracks and cuts during shaving or epilation of the armpits;
- Transmission of the viral carrier from mother to child through the placenta.
It should, however, be understood that in order to activate the life of the virus, it is necessary to create accompanying conditions. The most important factor provoking the appearance of hanging warts under the arms is a sharp decrease in immunity, which can be associated with vitamin deficiency, poor nutrition, stress and overwork. In addition, the formation of warts under the arms is most often observed during periods of severe inflammatory and infectious processes or against the background of hormonal imbalance.
Who is at risk
This disease primarily affects people with weakened immune systems and chronic diseases (for example, diabetes). Also, the group of people who can potentially become infected with HPV include:
- patients ;
- pregnant and nursing mothers;
- people who abuse alcohol , smoking, and drugs;
- elderly people ;
- people exposed to sunlight for a long time;
- patients who have had infectious diseases;
- women who do not use contraception during oral sex;
- people who do not observe basic rules of personal hygiene.
Are hanging warts dangerous?
Hanging warts may not pose a significant danger to the patient's body until the onset of certain factors and conditions that can lead to the growth of the tumor and its spread to surrounding healthy tissue. In this case, multiple warts are noted, which brings not only aesthetic discomfort, but is also fraught with the development of an oncological process.
Another hidden threat of warts under the arm is the high probability of trauma and mechanical damage to the growth during shaving. In this case, severe bleeding may occur, which is caused by a violation of the integrity of the dense capillary and vascular network that nourishes the body of the wart. In addition, there is a high risk of infection through an open wound surface. In rare cases, uncontrolled atypical division of epidermal cells can lead to the development of a malignant tumor.
Factors leading to the manifestation of HPV
A neoplasm may appear during a period when one or more provoking factors act on the body:
- changes in hormonal levels (during pregnancy, menopause, endocrine diseases, taking contraceptive hormonal drugs);
- stress, difficult working conditions, hypothermia are factors leading to a weakening of the body’s immune defense;
- intoxication, which can be caused by regular drinking of alcohol, smoking, taking drugs, working in hazardous industries, food poisoning;
- periods of exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive, urinary, cardiovascular systems of the body.
Removal of papillomas under the arms is often required not only to eliminate an aesthetic defect, but also to eliminate the risks of complications. The most dangerous complication is the likelihood of benign growths degenerating into malignant tumors, which can lead to cancer.
HPV in the armpits: main symptoms
Neoplasms under the arms have the following characteristic features:
- Diameter from 1 to 10 mm. The size of the growths is determined by the condition of the body and the type of virus (about 130 different types of HPV are known).
- The growths under the armpits do not cause pain, they do not itch or itch. They can be identified visually or tactilely - when you run your hand over the skin, you can feel the rough processes.
- The hue of the growths most often matches the color of the surrounding skin, but can stand out as a much darker color.
Why is it important to see a doctor on time?
Despite the absence of pain, the neoplasm can cause significant discomfort, making hygienic hair removal procedures difficult. When shaving, you can very easily damage the growth, which provokes an inflammatory process. The growths may increase in size and spread to other areas - to the shoulders, arms, neck. The inflammatory process is often accompanied by pain, itching and bleeding.
When you contact the clinic, the doctor will conduct a diagnosis, prescribe the necessary tests and select the appropriate method of therapy. Attempts to get rid of growths using alcohol solutions or folk remedies can lead to the opposite effect and provoke an increase in the inflammatory process.
Hanging warts: treatment
The treatment of warts under the arms must be entrusted to a professional doctor, since self-removal or taking medications may not only not give the expected result, but also significantly harm the patient. The treatment procedure for hanging warts usually involves three stages:
- Removal of the body and root of the tumor: laser destruction, radio wave excision, electrocoagulation, cryodestruction or surgical removal;
- Antiviral therapy;
- Restoration of immune function – immunomodulation or stimulation;
- The most important step in the treatment of warts under the arms is the procedure for removing the skin growth. Today, the optimal way to get rid of a tumor in the armpit is laser correction of the defect .
You can find out more about the service and its cost here >>
Diagnostics
If a papilloma is accidentally injured, it is necessary to treat the painful area with disinfectants to avoid infection. Until the wound heals, it is better not to use antiperspirants, exclude items with narrow sleeves from your wardrobe and follow all the rules of personal hygiene.
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If a person discovers papilloma under his arms, first of all, he needs to be examined by a dermatologist. Using palpation, he will determine the structure of the papilloma and its size. After this, he may send for additional research:
- PCR diagnostics, in which it is possible to identify the risk that papilloma may degenerate into malignant;
- taking a biopsy from the papilloma for histology. Based on its results, it is also possible to determine what form this formation is;
- It is mandatory to donate blood to determine the HPV type.
After receiving the results of a comprehensive examination, the doctor prescribes treatment or surgery. If the benign nature of the formation is confirmed, the doctor will simply monitor it over time, otherwise an operation to remove the wart will be prescribed.
Advantages of laser destruction over other methods of wart removal:
- Simplicity of the procedure. The manipulation takes only a few minutes, without requiring a long preparatory and postoperative period;
- Safety. The laser beam penetrates pathological tissues without damaging the healthy epidermis;
- Painless. Laser removal of skin defects does not cause discomfort to patients, due to the permissibility of using local anesthetic gels and solutions;
- Efficiency. During the process of removing a tumor, a specialist has the ability to regulate the depth of exposure, which determines the complete excision of atypical cells, without the formation of rough scars and cicatrices.
Contacting a medical professional will be the main step towards getting rid of warts. We guarantee affordable prices, high-quality medical service and the use of high-tech laser equipment.
Find out the cost of the procedure “Removal of tumors”
Treatment
The activity of HPV in the body indicates the presence of chronic diseases, against the background of which the immune system is weakened. First of all, when papillomas appear on the body, it is necessary to establish the true cause.
Self-medication is dangerous with complications!
Attention
Despite the fact that our articles are based on trusted sources and have been tested by practicing doctors, the same symptoms can be signs of different diseases, and the disease may not proceed according to the textbook.
Pros of seeing a doctor:
- Only a specialist will prescribe suitable medications.
- Recovery will be easier and faster.
- The doctor will monitor the course of the disease and help avoid complications.
find a doctor
Do not try to treat yourself - consult a specialist.
Chronic diseases include diabetes mellitus, gastritis, disorders of the digestive system, kidney failure, and gynecological diseases. After identifying and eliminating the true cause of HPV activity, they proceed to the stage of removing the papillomas themselves.
Papillomas under the arms, especially hanging ones, must be removed surgically. If this is not done in time, then with constant injury they can degenerate into malignant formations.
To remove hanging growths in the axillary areas, the following methods are used:
- cryodestruction - destruction of formation under the influence of liquid nitrogen;
- removal of formations with electric current;
- destruction by radio waves;
- removal of papillomas ;
- surgical cutting with a scalpel.
Laser wart removal
Removing warts with a laser is the most effective and safest way to remove warts.
In combination with the removal of hanging papilloma, it is imperative to take a course of immunomodulatory and antiviral drugs. Thanks to them, the reproduction of the virus in the body is stopped.
However, you need to remember that after removing a papilloma there is no exact guarantee that it will not appear again. This process will be repeated until the human body acquires strong immunity.
It is worth remembering that self-medication is very dangerous; there is a risk of injury to the papilloma and its degeneration into a malignant tumor. Therefore, any treatment should be started only with the permission of an experienced specialist.
What risk factors are there?
There are other reasons that can cause growths of papillomas in the armpit:
- The disease has become chronic;
- A person smokes and drinks alcohol regularly;
- The endocrine and hormonal systems are unstable;
- Clothes are tight and constantly in close contact with the skin of the axillary area;
- Even shaking hands and contact on public transport contribute to the spread of HPV.
If there are lesions, abrasions, or open wounds on the skin, then infection occurs and the virus spreads through the entire body. The structure of the skin epithelial tissue is disrupted, and intensive growth begins.
The papilloma virus is very common. But some people have an increased risk of contracting it.
First of all, these are those who:
- leads a promiscuous sex life;
- prone to bad habits;
- experiences constant stress, physical or mental fatigue;
- has chronic inflammatory diseases (especially of the pelvic organs or gastrointestinal tract);
- takes hormonal medications for a long time or experiences hormonal imbalances;
- neglects careful hygiene.
This does not mean that everyone else is reliably protected from HPV infection.
A handshake or a ride on public transport is enough for the virus to take up residence in the body, but in a healthy person it may not show up as growths for a long time.
