Lip papillomas are pathogenic structures of 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 lead to a number of complications. Given the prevalence of the disease, every woman should know what to do with papillomas on the lips, which doctor to consult and what procedures to perform. Particular attention should be paid to preventive measures, because practically no one is immune from papillomas of the labia minora.
Causes of papillomas on the lips
Having seen a photo of a papilloma on the lips, one should not blame the patient for his promiscuity. Indeed, HPV is most often transmitted during intimate intimacy, but this is not the only possible way for pathogenic microorganisms to reach a patient. HPV is also transmitted through ordinary household contact or at birth. In this case, the virus carrier may not even be aware of their infection. A person with a well-functioning immune system is a carrier of the disease, but 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 an overgrowth of pathogenic formations, a combination of several factors is necessary:
- presence of HPV in the body;
- decrease in protective functions of the body;
- a woman's inattention to her own health.
The virus, not contained by 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 questionson disease prevention. . A decrease in immunity, and as a result the activation of the virus, is facilitated by constant stress, seasonal vitamin deficiency, age-related hormonal imbalance or pregnancy.
Note!Men are much less likely to suffer from formations in the anogenital region, although they are carriers of diseases. The reason for this is also the specific structure of the female genital organs, which are more susceptible to the appearance of microcracks and, as a result, to a local decrease in protective functions.
Symptoms of papillomas on the lips
Regardless of the cause of infection (violation of hygiene standards in public places or unprotected sexual intercourse), it is important to establish the presence of the disease in time. 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 online and compared to a developing growth. During a self-examination or a routine visit to the doctor, the following may be discovered:
- Unit formations- small flesh-colored seals, rarely exceeding 6 mm in diameter.
- Multiple structures, in appearance, the formations resemble a cock's comb. Such growths indicate an advanced stage of the disease. If the formations are injured during standard hygiene procedures, their color may change from flesh to dark brown.
Not all structures have a flat shape, some HPV genotypes cause the formation of formations on a thin stem.
Some symptoms that require an immediate visit to the doctor are discomfort or even pain in the intimate area when performing standard hygiene procedures or sexual intercourse, as well as unusual discharge. The papilloma virus on the lips can initially affect the hidden area of the intimate area.
Self-learning photos of papillomas on the lips and identifying similar formations does not eliminate the need to consult a doctor. Only a thorough diagnosis will make it possible to establish the real cause of the disease and determine the best treatment methods.
The first conclusions about lip papilloma can be made during a visual examination carried out by a professional. 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 developed tumors 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 restricted profile tests to confirm the presence of the virus in the body and determine its strain.
The woman should also consult a gynecologist, because it is possible that the activation of the virus caused not only papillomas on the outer labia, but also inside the reproductive organs (vagina, cervix). Based on the test results and the general assessment of the patient's health, treatment is prescribed.
Note!Lip papillomas can appear under the simultaneous influence of various strains of the virus, some of which are oncogenic (16, 18, 33 and others). Only a complete examination will identify all active genotypes.
Methods for treating papillomas on the lips
A distinctive feature of the treatment of lip papillomas is its complex nature. That is, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunostimulating drugs to activate the body's internal reserves in order to fight the virus (the so-called conservative treatment) and, if necessary, hardware procedures are prescribed to eliminate the formations. Mild growths (single and small) can also be treated with medication and, in some cases, even with compounds recommended by alternative medicine. Thus, early diagnosis greatly simplifies treatment.
Medicines for papillomas on the lips
The main course of internal drug treatment is aimed at improving protective functions. The body is stimulated to fight the virus from within. For this purpose, for papillomas of the lips, the following can be prescribed:
- Antiviral drugs, suppressing the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Immunomodulators, which, thanks to synthetic elements, help the immune system to carry out its tasks.
- Immunostimulantswhich help the immune system to function.
Note!There is no single method of drug treatment for lip papillomas. The doctor selects drugs, their dosage and combinations depending on the patient's condition, individually in each specific case.
Removal of papillomas on the lips
Multiple small formations raise the question of how to get rid of papillomas on the lips by surgical method. Modern medicine has a wide selection of material destruction procedures:
- Electric power- a fairly painful, but accessible method, which has proven itself for many years.
- Cryodestruction— elimination of formations under the influence of low temperatures.
- Laser— advanced technologies allow you to eliminate growth painlessly using high temperatures.
- Radio knife- the most modern method, removal of lip papillomas is carried out using directed radio waves.
Traditional surgical interventions today are extremely rarely used if there is a risk of malignancy of the formation or its large size does not allow removal of the papilloma by another method. Scalpel excision requires a long rehabilitation period, after which it may leave a scar.
Note!All of the listed methods can be used to remove papillomas of the outer and inner lips. But taking into account the greater sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the labia minora, it is better to choose a laser or radio knife for destruction in this place.
Traditional medicine against lip papillomas
When treating lip papillomas with folk recipes, you must follow a number of rules:
- Compositions should be prepared immediately before application to vegetation, unless otherwise indicated in the recipe;
- Do not exceed the dosage indicated on the prescription;
- If at the time of using the product a burning sensation appears, the papilloma begins to grow or deform, you should stop self-medication and consult a doctor;
- If the papilloma does not disappear within the specified time, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.
The most popular folk recipes for lip papilloma are also the simplest. It is recommended to lubricate the growth 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 compresses made from finely grated potatoes. Only red potato tubers are suitable for processing. The compress should be replaced with a new one every 12 hours. The procedure is repeated for at least 30 days.
Important!The difficulty in calculating the concentration of the drug is the reason why most doctors do not support the treatment of papillomas on the lips by traditional medicine methods. An increased dose of the active substance may 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. These vaccinations are not compulsory in post-Soviet countries, but can be carried out on adolescents at the request of their parents. Vaccines are recommended for girls aged 9 to 15, that is, before the start of sexual activity.
In addition, preventive measures against papilloma on the lips are:
- compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- abandon bad habits, promiscuity;
- good nutrition and moderate exercise;
- preventive examinations by doctors;
- refusal to self-treat papillomas on other parts of the body.
The appearance of papillomas on the lips indicates not only the presence of a virus in the body, but also systemic failures (decreased immunity, local inflammation or various diseases). Such signals should never be ignored. It is necessary to remove lip papillomas at an early stage, thereby avoiding their secondary infection or oncological transformation. Fortunately, modern medicine makes it possible to remove unpleasant growths quickly and almost painlessly.