Types of papillomas: their colors, where they appear

1. Where do papillomas appear?
2. Main varieties
3. Types of papillomas according to the degree of oncogenicity
4. What does color say?

Papilloma is a benign neoplasm on the body, limbs and mucous membranes, which occurs as a result of the activity of the human papilloma virus. There are several classifications of such growths depending on their location, shape, color and level of oncogenicity. Let's look at what types of papillomas there are.

Where do papillomas appear?

Photos of papillomas on different parts of the body

Benign neoplasms caused by the human papillomavirus come in different shapes, sizes and oncogenicity. They appear on the skin throughout the body.

Most often, papillomas form in the following areas:

1. Face. Pointed growths are localized mainly on the eyelids and lips, flat ones can be found on the cheeks. This type of papillomas most often brings people to a dermatologist and cosmetologist, since aesthetically unattractive tumors on other parts of the body can be hidden with clothing, and the face is always open.
2. Neck, armpits, area under the breasts. These places are characterized by the growth of hanging filamentous papillomas. More often they form in women during pregnancy and breastfeeding and in older people.
3. Soles of feet. They are localized on the roughened areas of the feet, namely on the heels and the keratinized part of the skin of the fingers. Such growths are called spines. They cause discomfort when walking, as they grow inside the epidermis and not outside. Read about treatment methods for plantar papillomas.
4. Fingers, toes. This is the favorite habitat of warts vulgaris. They are called the most harmless and most treatable. This type of papillomas is most common in children.
5. Genital skin. Thread-like and flat papillomas are most often found here. In men they form on the head of the penis and on the scrotum, in women - on the labia and clitoris. Regardless of gender, neoplasms are also localized in the anus.
6. Whole body. In this case, you can observe a concentration of dozens, and sometimes hundreds of growths nearby. May occupy the area of ​​all limbs, most of the back or abdomen. This type of skin lesion is called papillomatosis. It may represent a concentration of any type of tumor caused by HPV.

The main types of papillomas - shape and size

In the photo, the main types of papillomas: 1 - vulgar papilloma, 2 - spinum, 3 - flat warts, 4 - genital warts, 5 - acrochord, 6 - Lewandowski-Lutz papillomas

In addition to location, papillomas differ in shape, size and type of HPV that causes them. Let's take a closer look at what epidermal formations are:

1. Vulgar (simple, ordinary) papillomas. Such growths appear on the body due to infection of the body with HPV types 26-29, 41, 63, 77. At the site of tissue damage, a slight itching first occurs, then new growths appear. They are rounded bumps with a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm. The color, as a rule, does not differ from the skin around the papilloma. Read about surgical methods for getting rid of vulgar papillomas.
2. Plantar warts (spikes). Their appearance is provoked by HPV strains 1, 2 and 4. At first they appear as a small bubble, which gradually transforms into a plaque measuring from 1 mm to 2 cm. The spine turns pale, acquiring a white or yellowish tint. A roll of keratinized skin may form along the edge. There may be red or brown dots in the center of the growth. These are thrombosed capillaries. Over time, if left untreated, this type of papilloma on the leg may acquire a dark shade. Then it is imperative to consult a doctor. Read about ways to treat a bunion on the foot.
3. Flat warts. They are most often caused by 10, 28 or 41 types of human papillomavirus. Patients often mistake them for roughness of the skin and its uneven structure, without even suspecting that these are actually papillomas. They rise only 1-2 mm above the level of the skin. They have a round or oval shape and almost never differ in color from the surrounding epidermis. In the case of the chronic form, they may differ by only a tone - be slightly darker than the main area of ​​​​the skin. Read about treatment methods for flat papillomas.
4. Condylomas acuminata. The reasons for their occurrence are 6 and 11 types of human papillomavirus, which are transmitted only through sexual contact. Most often found in men. They are a fairly extensive growth, attached by a stalk to the skin and consisting of many sharp papillae. The disease develops very quickly and is difficult to treat. Often accompanied by chlamydia and mycoplasmosis. Read about the removal of anogenital warts.
5. Filiform warts (acrochords). Their formation is caused by infection of the body with human papillomavirus types 2 and 7. At the very beginning, the growth resembles a tubercle, which gradually develops into an elongated leg. As a rule, such papillomas are not single, but multiple. They usually appear after 40-45 years, but in women they can appear at an earlier age subject to hormonal changes. Acrochords are often the same color as the skin at the site of localization. But if they change color, you need to urgently go to the doctor.
6. Lewandowski-Lutz papillomas. Not very common epidermal formations that appear when infected with types 13 and 32 of HPV. More often, this type of papillomas occurs in young people and children. They have a characteristic red or burgundy color. Their peculiarity is that ultraviolet radiation is extremely contraindicated for them.

Types of papillomas according to the degree of oncogenicity

The photo shows papillomas with different levels of oncogenicity: 1 - non-oncogenic papilloma, 2 - condyloma of low oncogenic risk, 3 - injured papilloma of high oncogenic risk

The main reason why doctors insist on diagnosing papillomas is their ability to degenerate into malignant neoplasms. The level of oncogenic risk depends on the strain of HPV with which a person is infected.

Let's consider what types of papillomas there are according to the degree of oncogenicity:

1. Non-oncogenic. Caused by 1-4, 10, 28, 41 strains of human papillomavirus. These are those tumors that do not transform into melanoma and other types of skin cancer. They can only cause physical discomfort (for example, spines when walking) and look aesthetically very unattractive.
2. Low risk oncogenic. This type of papillomas is caused by 5-8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20-25, 42-44 HPV strains. These include neoplasms that degenerate due to exposure to an aggressive environment - a high dose of solar radiation, radiation, chemical components, as well as a sharp change in hormonal levels, etc.
3. High risk oncogenic. Caused by types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 36, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68. These are the growths that, regardless of your actions and exposure to environmental factors, almost always become cancerous.

What does the color of papilloma indicate?

Photos of epidermal neoplasms of different colors: light spine, black papilloma and filiform wart without color change (from left to right)

Epidermal neoplasms can have different colors. Their color, first of all, indicates the degree of oncogenic risk - the possibility of degeneration of the growth into a malignant tumor.

Types of papillomas by color:

1. Light. This category includes those types of growths that are lighter than the skin around the formation. The brightest representative of the group is the thorn.
2. No color change. These are those papillomas that do not differ in color from the skin to which they are attached, as well as those that are just a tone darker - vulgar, flat, filiform warts, genital warts.
3. Dark. Their color can be red, burgundy, purple, brown and almost black. This can happen to any neoplasm with a high level of oncogenicity.

What types of papillomas are there? Look at the video:

Today on the Internet you can find photos of all types of papillomas. However, self-diagnosis should under no circumstances replace the expert opinion of a physician. It wouldn’t hurt to have a special laboratory test that will show not just the presence of the human papillomavirus in the body, but which strains of it the person is infected with. This is very important for the prevention and treatment of papillomas of all types.