Papillomas on the lips are pathogenic structures in the intimate area of a woman caused by one or more genotypes of the papilloma virus. And although not all strains that cause the development of tumors in this area are oncogenic, the disease must be treated. Even small growths in such a sensitive area can be damaged and subsequently cause a series of complications. Given the prevalence of the disease, every woman should know what to do for papillomas on the lips, which doctor to consult and which procedures to perform. Special attention should be paid to preventive measures, because practically no one is immune from papillomas on the small lips.
Causes of papillomas on the lips
After seeing a photo of a papilloma on the lips, you should not blame the patient for promiscuity. Indeed, HPV is most often transmitted through intimate intimacy, but this is not the only possible way for pathogenic microorganisms to reach the patient. HPV is also transmitted as a result of common household contacts or at the time of birth. In this case, the virus carrier may not even be aware of his infection. A person with a good immune system is a carrier of the disease, but he will not find unpleasant growths on himself.
In order for the papilloma virus on the lips to begin to manifest itself in the form of the proliferation of pathogenic formations, a combination of several factors is required:
- the presence of HPV in the body;
- reduced protective functions of the body;
- women's inattention to their own health.
The virus, which is not contained in the patient's immune system, destructively affects the process of cell division, causing the appearance of benign structures. And if such a process is not stopped in the early stages, the protective functions are not restored, then the woman turns to the doctor with a specific question about the removal of papillomas on the lips, and not with questions about the prevention of the disease. . Continual stress, seasonal vitamin deficiency, age-related hormonal imbalance, or pregnancy contribute to the reduction of immunity, and thus to the activation of the virus.
Note!Men suffer from formations in the anogenital area much less often, although they are carriers of the disease. The reason for this is the specific structure of the female genital organs, which are more susceptible to the appearance of microcracks, and thus to the local reduction of protective functions.
Symptoms of papilloma on the lips
Regardless of the cause of the infection (violation of hygiene standards in public places or unprotected sex), it is important to determine the presence of the disease in a timely manner. Treatment in the early stages is much easier and faster. To do this, it is enough to regularly examine the intimate area yourself, as well as visit a gynecologist for preventive examinations.
Photos of papillomas on the lips can easily be found on the Internet and compared with the developing growth. During a self-examination or a routine visit to the doctor, the following may be detected:
- Unit formations- small flesh-colored stamps, rarely larger than 6 mm in diameter.
- Multiple structures, the appearance of the formations resembles a rooster's comb. Such growths are evidence of an advanced stage of the disease. If the formations are injured during standard hygiene procedures, their color can change from flesh to dark brown.
Not all structures have a flat shape, some HPV genotypes cause formations on a thin stem.
Some symptoms that require an urgent visit to the doctor are discomfort and even pain in the intimate area when performing standard hygiene procedures or sexual intercourse, and unusual discharge. Papillomavirus on the lips can initially affect the hidden area of the intimate area.
Self-study of photos of papillomas on the lips and recognition of similar formations does not eliminate the need to visit a doctor. Only a thorough diagnosis will help determine the true cause of the disease and determine the best methods of treatment.
Initial conclusions about papilloma on the lips can be made by a visual examination by an expert. However, the final diagnosis is made after a series of tests that identify not only the presence of the virus in the body, but also its genotype and the concentration of active cells. A patient who has not yet had growths in the intimate area, but is suspected of being infected with the virus, will receive a similar list of tests.
List of tests:
- blood and urine to assess general health;
- tissue biopsy for already formed growths;
- The PCR test and the Digen test are narrow-profile tests for confirming the presence of the virus in the body and determining its strain.
A woman should also visit a gynecologist, because there is a possibility that the activation of the virus caused not only papillomas on the outer lips, but also on the inside of the reproductive organs (vagina, cervix). Based on the test results and general assessment of the patient's health, therapy is prescribed.
Note!Papillomas on the lips can appear under the simultaneous influence of different strains of viruses, some of them are oncogenic (16, 18, 33 and others). Only a complete screening will help identify all active genotypes.
Methods of treatment of papillomas on the lips
The special feature of the treatment of papilloma on the lips is its complex nature. That is, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunostimulating drugs to activate the body's internal reserves to fight the virus (so-called conservative treatment), and if necessary, hardware procedures are prescribed to remove formations. Mild growths (single and small in size) can be treated with drugs, and in some cases even with compounds recommended by alternative medicine. Therefore, early diagnosis greatly simplifies treatment.
Medicines for papillomas on the lips
The main stream of internal drug therapy is aimed at improving protective functions. The body is stimulated to fight the virus from within. For this purpose, the following can be prescribed for papillomas on the lips:
- Antiviral drugs, suppressing the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Immunomodulators, which, thanks to synthetic elements, helps the immune system to perform its tasks.
- Immunostimulantswhich help the functioning of the immune system.
Note!There is no single method of treatment for papillomas on the lips. The doctor selects drugs, their dosage and combinations based on the patient's condition, individually in each specific case.
Removal of papillomas on the lips
More small formations lead to the question of how to get rid of papillomas on the lips with a surgical method. Modern medicine has a wide variety of hardware procedures for destruction:
- Electric current- a rather painful, but affordable method that has been proven for many years.
- Cryodestruction— removal of formations under the influence of low temperatures.
- Laser— advanced technologies allow you to remove growths painlessly with the help of high temperatures.
- Radio knife- the most modern method, removal of papillomas on the lips is performed using directed radio waves.
Today, traditional surgical interventions are used extremely rarely if there is a risk of malignancy of the formation or its large size does not allow removal of the papilloma by another method. Excision with a scalpel requires a long period of rehabilitation, and afterwards it can leave a scar.
Note!All of the above methods can be used to remove papillomas on the outer and inner lips. But considering the greater sensitivity of the mucosa of the small lips, it is preferable to choose a laser or radio knife for destruction in this location.
Traditional medicine against papillomas on the lips
When treating papillomas on the lips with folk recipes, you must follow a number of rules:
- The compositions must be prepared immediately before application to the growth, unless this is specifically stated in the recipe;
- Do not exceed the dose indicated on the prescription;
- If a burning sensation appears during the use of the product, the papilloma begins to grow or deform, you must stop self-medication and consult a doctor;
- If the papilloma does not disappear within the specified period, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.
The most popular folk recipes for papillomas on the lips are also the simplest. It is recommended to lubricate the growths with celandine or kalanchoe juice twice a day. After 2-3 weeks, you can expect the destruction of the papilloma.
Another equally popular recipe is wraps made of finely grated potatoes. Only red potato tubers are suitable for treatment. The compress must be replaced with a fresh one every 12 hours. The procedure is repeated for at least 30 days.
Important!Difficulties in calculating the concentration of the drug are the reason why most doctors do not support the treatment of papillomas on the lips with traditional medicine methods. An increased dose of the active substance can lead to irritation of adjacent healthy tissues.
Preventive measures against papillomas on the lips
The appearance of growths in the intimate area is prevented by vaccination against the human papilloma virus. Such vaccinations are not mandatory in post-Soviet countries, but can be given to adolescents at the request of their parents. Vaccines are recommended for girls from 9 to 15 years old, that is, before the start of sexual activity.
Also, preventive measures against papillomas on the lips are:
- compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
- giving up bad habits, promiscuity;
- proper nutrition and moderate exercise;
- preventive medical examinations;
- refusal to self-treat papillomas on other parts of the body.
The appearance of papillomas on the lips indicates not only the presence of viruses in the body, but also systemic malfunctions (reduced immunity, local inflammation or various diseases). Such signals should never be ignored. Papillomas on the lips should be removed in the early stages, preventing their secondary infection or oncological transformation. Fortunately, modern medicine makes it possible to quickly and almost painlessly remove unpleasant growths.