When the human papillomavirus enters the body, or it begins to become active under the influence of exogenous or endogenous factors, a person develops a papilloma on the lip. This is not only a cosmetic defect, but also a symptom of an unpleasant disease; such formations can become malignant, so you should not engage in independent treatment. It is best to carry out radical removal of condyloma on the lips in parallel with a course of drug therapy, the main purpose of which is to strengthen the natural protective functions of the body and prevent relapse of HPV exacerbation.
Methods of infection with HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is transmitted directly through the skin. A slight damage to it (abrasions, wounds) or disruption of the mucous membrane is enough for the virus to enter the body.
Transmission of infection can also occur directly through:
- contaminated items;
- visiting public places such as swimming pools, gyms, sports clubs;
- the virus can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child during childbirth (vertical transmission);
- during sexual intercourse or during oral sex.
Once a person has been infected with HPV, it usually takes three to four months for symptoms to appear. Papillomas can be detected within two years after contact with an infected person or contaminated surface.
Drawing conclusions
If you are reading these lines, we can conclude that you or your loved ones one way or another want to get rid of papillomas or warts.
We conducted an investigation, studied a bunch of materials and, most importantly, tested most of the methods and remedies for papillomas, ranging from traditional methods to procedures that doctors can offer. The verdict is:
If all the drugs were given, it was only a temporary result. It is not difficult to remove a papilloma, but after a while even more papillomas appear in the same or another place.
It's all about the papillomavirus, which affects the entire body, and local effects on papillomas only worsen the situation.
The only drug that has given significant results is Papinol.
The main advantage of Papinol is that it affects the problem entirely and completely kills papillomavirus infection from the human body. This drug is funded by the Ministry of Health and is distributed at a reduced price - 99 rubles.
Virus forms
Papillomas are benign neoplasms. This means they do not grow aggressively and spread throughout the body.
A wart is a form of papilloma that can appear on the surface of the skin. These growths only form in certain types of tissue, although they can be found throughout the body. They can also form on the surface of moist mucous tissue (mouth, anus, genitals), inside the body: in the intestines or in the respiratory tract.
Wart is a form of papilloma
Warts come in many different shapes. According to their appearance and location, 4 types can be distinguished.
- Warts vulgaris appear most frequently (60 to 70% of all warts). These small gray tumors are several millimeters thick. There are one or more skin lesions. They can be larger and group together to form growths. Typically found on the back of the hands and fingers. Common warts are painless.
- Plantar warts are deep and painful. They interfere with walking and have small black dots on their surface. They can be multiple and superficial (mosaic warts), and relapses often occur.
- Filiform warts are common, located on the face and neck, lower lip or on the inside of it, they can grow around the nostrils or mouth, eyelids, on the chin, and in obese people they are present between the folds of the skin. They have a thread-like appearance and sometimes look like tiny brushes. They often appear on the face, so they are usually considered particularly bothersome.
- Flat warts, as their name suggests, have a smooth, flat surface. These skin lesions are difficult to notice, dark yellow in color, numerous, and affect the face, back, arms, knees and legs. The evolution of these warts is variable: they appear and disappear quickly, spontaneously, but can recur many years later.
Causes and symptoms of papilloma on the lip
Papillomavirus can live in the surface layer of the skin and mucous membrane of the lips for years, remaining in a latent state. External manifestation in the form of a growth on the lip occurs when the immune system is weakened.
Reasons and factors that cause activation of the virus:
- unbalanced diet;
- diseases of internal organs (disruption of the endocrine system and metabolism, pathologies of the cardiovascular system);
- bad habits;
- stress, nervous experiences;
- regular overheating or hypothermia of the body;
- taking antibiotics and hormonal drugs;
- hormonal disbalance;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- transmission of the virus due to violation of personal hygiene rules (using other people's things, habit of biting nails).
The presence of warts on the lip is often asymptomatic.
In case of injury to formations, the patient is concerned about the following symptoms: itching, pain, swelling, burning. According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), papillomas that are localized on the lips belong to the section “Other benign neoplasms of the skin,” code D23.0.
Risk factors
Some people are at greater risk of contracting the papilloma virus than others.
- People who work with raw meat: in a butcher shop or slaughterhouse.
- Frequently use public showers: after sports, work or in the pool.
- People whose family members have the papilloma virus.
- Individuals who have a weakened immune system.
These viruses multiply in the skin. If a person has a weakened immune system, then his body is not always able to successfully fight infection. For some people, a greater risk of contracting HPV is associated with frequent contact with people infected with the papilloma virus.
be careful
Papillomas and warts can at any time become melanoma - skin cancer, which leads to death in 89% of cases in the first 2 years!
Moreover, in most cases, it all starts with harmless papillomas and warts, which do not interfere with everyday life.
The more papillomas and warts on your body, the more likely it is that one of them will develop into a malignant tumor. The spread of papillomas in the armpits and groin area is especially dangerous.
What to do, after all, 80% of the population of the Russian Federation and the CIS have papillomas in greater or lesser quantities. Currently, the Federal program “Healthy Nation” is underway, within the framework of which every resident of the Russian Federation and the CIS is given a drug for the treatment of papillomas and warts at a discounted price - 99 rubles.
The goal of the program: to give every person the opportunity to be cured of papillomavirus without developing skin cancer, regardless of their financial status. This drug removes all papillomas and warts absolutely safely and painlessly. You can read more about the program at the link
Oral varieties
Papillomas located on the surface of the lips (lower or upper) are small pink or whitish papules on a thin stalk, the size of these formations varies from 1.5-2 mm in height and 2 mm in width.
The formation on the lip can be single and have an elongated, pointed shape, or it can grow, taking the shape of a cockscomb or cauliflower. These papillomas do not cause any symptoms, but some people experience significantly lower self-esteem. Because of their spoiled appearance, they feel awkward when communicating with other people; their train of thought is constantly directed towards how they look.
Typically, papilloma on the lips is diagnosed in people between the ages of 30 and 50; it can be located not only on the outer surface of the mouth, but also on the inside of the cheeks, tongue and inside the lips.
Oral papillomas are painless, but only if they are not injured when a person eats food. This type of HPV does not mutate into cancer, but it can grow and spread to other areas of the skin. Oral papillomas result from infection with HPV-6 and HPV-11.
Reasons for activation of the human papillomavirus on the mucous membrane of the lips:
- weakened immune system;
- hormonal imbalance;
- long-term use of antibiotics;
- stressful situations;
- previous operations;
- smoking, alcohol.
Smoking is one of the reasons for HPV activation
Routes of transmission of HPV on the lips:
- sexual contact with a carrier of the human papillomavirus;
- sharing cosmetics, toothbrushes, shaving machines, towels;
- using the same utensils with an HPV carrier;
- oral sex with an infected person.
Clinical picture
We can talk about symptoms of papillomatosis when the first changes appear on the skin. Papilloma in a child or adult is a small tumor consisting of squamous epithelium. This formation may appear on the inside of the lip or on its surface. If a growth appears in the oral cavity, the palate, frenulum, tongue, and inner surface of the cheek are most often affected. When such formations appear, there is usually no pain.
When virus particles multiply in cells, growths in the form of small pink papules can form. Over time, they can become larger and merge. If warts cover the surface of the lips or the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, this causes not only aesthetic discomfort, such formations interfere with proper food intake and communication.
Treatment options
Often papillomas or warts are harmless. These lumps can be left alone if they do not bother the person, do not spoil his appearance and are not injured by clothing.
HPV is almost always harmless in people with healthy immune systems.
The body often creates an immune response to viruses, and over time, the papillomas disappear without treatment. But sometimes this can take years. Lip growths can be annoying and unattractive, so many people want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. It is possible to remove papillomas on the lip, but before starting treatment, you need to undergo a series of tests that will determine the nature of the formation and rule out oncology.
How to get rid of papilloma on the lip:
- Cryotherapy involves the removal of papillomas using liquid nitrogen. This is usually done by a dermatologist. Nitrogen has an extremely low temperature and destroys skin cells in the outer layer. The treatment is repeated several times with a break of at least one week between each session. Liquid nitrogen may cause short-term pain, and the skin may become red or swollen after the procedure. Sometimes blisters may appear.
- Surgical removal is performed using radio waves, excision occurs with the capture of healthy tissue.
- Laser surgery - destruction of the growth with high energy laser light, allows you to get rid of the problem and eliminates relapse.
- Electrocoagulation is the effect of low-frequency electric current on a papilloma, as a result of which the formation dries out and disappears within 3 days.
- You can also remove papilloma using the medications 5-fluorouracil, Cantharidin, and Imiquimod. They destroy skin cells affected by the virus.
After such procedures, it is recommended to avoid exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the treatment area for a month, and also to minimize contact with water during the recovery period.
Therapy
Papilloma on the lip cannot be treated at home. Any attempts to tear the leg out of the skin lead to the formation of a focus of inflammation, which worsens the situation. To protect yourself, we recommend seeking help from a dermatologist. Using the device, the doctor will study the structure of the tumor to understand the danger of the nodule to humans.
Therapy consists of several stages.
- Diagnostics. Identifying the strain will help determine the nature of the virus.
- Causes of exacerbation. Without understanding the culprit behind the activation of the disease, you cannot begin treatment, as the rash on the lip will appear again.
- Antiviral drugs. Modern medications are used to suppress HPV. Now the pharmacy offers many effective remedies that destroy the infection from the inside and outside. Ointments, injections and tablets are used as prescribed.
- Strengthening the immune system. The weakening of the body's defenses becomes the reason why papillomas appear in the mouth and lips. To help the body cope with the virus, it is necessary to restore the natural “barrier”. To do this, it is recommended to pay attention to stimulants of chemical and plant origin.
- Vitamin therapy. Lack of important trace elements and minerals in the body also affects susceptibility to HPV. Doctors prescribe complex medications containing a set of all the necessary components.
Vitamins will help fight the virus
To remove growths from the surface of the lips, dermatologists choose surgery. Unlike people's councils, such procedures are carried out by specialists who fully control all processes. In this case, the patient is protected from additional infection or the appearance of terrible scars on the face. Now there are several popular treatment methods.
- Laser. Growths in the mouth are quickly and painlessly removed using this method. The specialist directs the beam to the affected tissue, so there is virtually no pain or bleeding. The procedure is painful and requires local anesthesia. The mucous membrane quickly recovers without scars.
- Coagulation. Targeted exposure to low and high temperatures destroys the tumor. The operation does not cause discomfort.
- Cryodestruction. The growths on the lips are treated with liquid nitrogen, after which they are destroyed and fall off.
- With a scalpel. In rare cases, surgery is necessary. If the tumor grows in size, then this technique has to be used. The specialist is required to have maximum professionalism and precision, so that scars and cicatrices do not remain on the mucous membrane.
After removal of the papilloma, you must adhere to the treatment prescribed by your doctor. Until complete healing, visiting a bathhouse or swimming pool is not recommended, and ultraviolet irradiation (in the sun, in a solarium) is also contraindicated. Cleaned areas should be thoroughly dried after water procedures.
Remember: you can’t pick at the wounds or touch them with your hands, as you can get an infection. After a week, traces of the operation will disappear, leaving clear skin.
After laser removal of the growth, there are no scars left
Removal at home
Using simple, natural, but very effective remedies, you can painlessly get rid of papillomas at home.
- Celandine is an ideal remedy for eliminating formations on the skin. To do this, it is necessary to lubricate the affected areas with plant juice. The frequency of application is 3-4 applications with a break of 2-3 minutes. The procedure should be performed 3-4 times a day. Such intensive treatment will give maximum positive results.
- Potato juice can help combat this problem. This traditional medicine suppresses the activity of various infections. It is better to use pink potato juice. To prepare it, you need to wash and grate the tuber on a fine grater, squeeze the juice from the pulp. Take it 3 times a day, 100 ml 30 minutes before meals. Treatment lasts 2-3 months.
- Castor oil is very useful in the fight against this disease because it contains acid, which causes the growth to dry out. Apply it to the skin lesion, leaving the area around it, twice a day. The effect occurs after 3-4 weeks of using castor oil.
- The papilloma will also dry out under the influence of ammonia. Apply it to the formation for 5-6 seconds. Make sure that ammonia does not come into contact with the skin around the papilloma.
- Salicylic acid. The solution should be applied to the growth several times a day for several weeks, and it will gradually dissolve. Salicylic acid is available without a prescription at the pharmacy. The product causes slight redness of the skin, but this is tolerated painlessly.
The treatment methods presented above have some disadvantages. Sometimes viruses can remain on the skin after treatment, and the treatment itself can lead to the growth of new papillomas. After home manipulations, scars or cicatrices may form on the face, so treatment in medical institutions is preferable because it prevents the occurrence of complications.
The most effective methods in the fight against HPV are strong human immunity, compliance with personal hygiene rules, and refusal of promiscuous sex life. If you notice any formations, contact a specialist immediately. Removal today is not very difficult.
Destruction methods
Once the benign nature of the neoplasm has been established, it can be removed using various methods.
The most effective is laser exposure. It does not cause bleeding and does not leave the slightest trace on the mucous membrane.
The whole procedure takes a few minutes, after which a small crust forms, which falls off after two days, leaving a smooth epithelium. This prevents re-formation of the growth.
The electrocoagulation method is no less popular. This procedure, carried out using high-frequency electric current, is completely painless, therefore (just like the previous one) it is also applicable for a child. Another method is cryodestruction (getting rid of growths by exposing them to liquid nitrogen, resulting in the freezing of cells).
Sometimes chemicals are used to remove papillomas on the lips. This method is not very common, since such a procedure leaves noticeable scars on the skin.
During pregnancy
Genital neoplasms tend to increase in size during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that during this period the woman’s immunity is weakened, which is why the papillomavirus begins to multiply especially actively. HPV is not dangerous for the unborn child as long as it is in the uterine cavity. This is due to the fact that the virus does not live in human blood, but in the mucous membranes. Accordingly, during pregnancy a woman does not infect her child in any way.
However, problems can arise directly during childbirth. While passing through the birth canal, a child can become infected through contact with papillomas. The consequence of infection is laryngeal papillomatosis.
Preventive measures
A wart on the face is a cosmetic defect, and a growth in the oral cavity is a constant irritant. To avoid encountering manifestations of HPV on the lips, follow the following recommendations:
- Support immunity. Give your body enough sleep, exercise and healthy food. Give up bad habits.
- Maintain hygiene and be careful when interacting with others. You should not share personal belongings even with close people. Anyone can be a carrier of papillomavirus.
- Try not to injure the sensitive surface of the lips and oral cavity: touch less often, moisturize the skin, and prevent the appearance of cracks. If you need dentures, choose them correctly.
A wart on the lip is not dangerous; the defect is easy to get rid of. It appears when the immune system is weakened. There is no need to self-medicate using medications from the pharmacy. A specialist will provide qualified assistance.
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Drawing conclusions
Papillomas on the lip are a rather unusual phenomenon, since they are usually localized on the neck, chest, arms, and legs. The growth can easily be confused with a mole, which can mislead a person.
- Read another article about papillomas on a child’s lip
Papillomas on the lip do not appear often, and if they do occur, it usually occurs in addition to other growths on the face and body. Such neoplasms are a consequence of the penetration of the papilloma virus into the body, which provokes their growth.
Lips are susceptible to the action of papillomavirus because when kissing an infected person, it can penetrate into open wounds on the mucous membrane.
This also applies to those who like to bite the shell and those who do not want to use special lipsticks against chapping in winter.
In this case, cracks appear on the surface, sometimes bleeding, which become a “gate” for the infectious agent.
Common routes of HPV infection are sexual and household contact, for example, sharing utensils with a sick person. This is due to the fact that the virus can live for some time in saliva remaining on the surface.
It can also spread through clothing and toys. For formations to appear, it is enough to shake the bearer’s hand. Often, papillomas appear on the lips due to the habit of biting nails, especially if your hands are dirty.
According to statistics, every 3-5 people are infected with HPV, but it manifests itself only in 30% of all cases. That is, not everyone who has a pathogen detected in their blood must necessarily encounter its external manifestations in the form of epidermal neoplasms, including papillomas on the lips.
This requires predisposing factors, which include stress, poor-quality, unhealthy diet, inactive lifestyle, and abuse of medications. Taken together, all this leads to a decrease in immunity and, as a result, a decrease in the level of protection of the body.
The papilloma virus can be present in the human body from birth, in which case the child becomes infected from an infected mother during birth. Before it makes itself felt, if it ever happens at all, it usually takes at least six months.
READ MORE: Papillomas in the throat treatment with folk remedies
Note! If there are other neoplasms on the body and face, then scratching them may well be the cause of the appearance of papillomas on the lip. In this case, the virus spreads faster throughout the body and becomes more active, which reduces the body’s defense response and contributes to an increase in the number of growths.
In the photo there are papillomas on the lip
Papilloma on the lip is not difficult to see with the naked eye, since it is in the field of vision and most often brings a feeling of discomfort. It can be either flat or elongated, on a leg.
Papilloma grows both in the singular and in small groups of 2-3 pieces. Its diameter ranges from 1 to 5 mm, but it also comes in larger sizes.
The color of the growth stands out sharply against the background of the mucous membrane and can be either almost white or pale pink or brown.
Papilloma on the lips has a heterogeneous structure, poorly defined edges, and an uneven shape. On top it always has a noticeable hard crust with numerous pores, which can only be seen upon detailed examination in a magnifying mirror.
Possible places for its localization are the upper and lower lip, on the side, in the center or closer to its border. Sometimes it covers the inner part and is slightly hidden in the oral cavity. In some cases, such a formation grows in the corners of the mouth, above it, or right below it.
Papilloma on the lips is a small lump with a rough surface. As it becomes keratinized, it may acquire a lighter shade, which, along with the appearance of painful sensations, should alert you, since this is one of the first signs of the degeneration of a benign formation into a malignant one.
Among the manifestations of the human papillomavirus on the lips are the following:
- Inconvenience. It occurs mainly when papilloma appears on the “pedicle”, that is, hanging, at the junction of the upper and lower lips. In this case, when eating food, it is felt by the person, which causes unpleasant emotions. The same thing happens when brushing your teeth, and at this moment there is a danger of accidentally touching the formation and disrupting its integrity.
- Itching. Since the papilloma is located next to the mucous membrane and is constantly exposed to water, sour and salty foods, this causes irritation of the formation. As a result, there is a desire to comb this area, which often leads to bleeding.
- Enlargement and connection of papillomas on the lip. Over time, such growths tend to migrate to neighboring areas and merge with other formations. As a result, they grow, and over time their surface naturally dries out. A dense crust forms on it, causing discomfort during conversation and interfering with normal chewing of food. Most often this occurs when growths are localized on the inside of the lips.
Note! If papillomas on the lips are accompanied by other formations on the body and face, there is reason to suspect the disease “papillomatosis”.
- Read the instructions for using salicylic ointment for papillomas
Before starting treatment for papilloma on the lip, the doctor must carefully examine the growth, conduct a dermatoscopy and histological examination of the formation, and take a biopsy to exclude its malignancy.
The photo shows drugs for the treatment of papillomas on the lip
To treat a growth on the lip, you can use antiviral external agents. Among them, Viferon, Aldara (from 4,500 rubles), Oxolinic and Salicylic ointment help well.
Formations can be cauterized with Supercelandine, Feresol, Lapis pencil and Verrukatsid (price - from 195 rubles). After the crust appears, it is recommended to use Zinc ointment.
Treatment is carried out on average for 2 weeks under the supervision of a doctor.
Since getting rid of papilloma on the lip is possible only with a strong body, in parallel with external treatment it is necessary to increase immunity with special preparations. To do this, you can take a course of Lymphomyosot, Immunal or Echinacea purpurea tincture.
If you have vitamin deficiency, you should pay attention to the vitamin and mineral complexes “Perfectil”, “Twinlab Dualtabs”, “Alphabet”, “Doppelgerts active”, “Complivit” (tablets, 60 pcs. from 188 rubles). They must be taken for at least a month, 2 times a year.
Oral medications with an antiviral effect play a special role in the treatment of papillomas on the lip. Of the tablets, Acyclovir, Isoprinosine (600-1500 rubles), Rimantadine deserve close attention.
All this can be replaced with Alpizarin, Lykopid (from 300 rubles), Galavit, Cycloferon. These drugs destroy the shell of the virus, inhibit its functions and then “put to sleep” it for some time or forever.
If infection has already occurred, HPV vaccines are useful - intramuscular administration of Cervarix (drug price - from 5,000 rubles) or Gardasil (from 6,300 rubles). These drugs are mainly aimed at protecting against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, but are also active against other strains. They can be done by all adults and children over 9 years old.
- Read about Collomac for papillomas and warts
To combat papilloma on the lip, you can use several folk remedies at once, but you should not combine more than 2-3 formulations. They can worsen each other's effects, which does not contribute to healing. A good option is to combine lemon juice and potatoes, celandine and aloe.
Here's what you can do for papilloma on the lip:
- Potato. Peel it, wash it, dry it, and grate it. Apply the finished mixture to the problem area on the lip, rub the mucous membrane and leave the mixture there for 10-15 minutes. After this time, rinse it off and moisturize your lips with bee honey or wax. Read about the results of using potatoes for papillomas.
- Soda. Heat the water and combine it with enough of this powder to make a thick paste. Apply the resulting paste with a brush or sponge to the formation and leave for half an hour, then rinse off the mixture. Repeat this procedure 2 times a day for 2 weeks. Read real reviews about the use of soda for papillomas.
- Sea buckthorn oil. You can simply lubricate the papillomas on your lips with it 2-3 times a day or keep a compress on them for 15 minutes in the form of a piece of gauze soaked in the product. The optimal duration of the course is 10 days; if necessary, it can be repeated after a week's break. Other components can be added to sea buckthorn oil, for example, lemon or onion juice (5-10 drops per 50 ml). Read reviews about sea buckthorn oil for papillomas.
- Green tea. Brew it (2 tsp) in warm, boiled water (100 ml), keep covered for 10 minutes and strain. Soak a cotton pad in the resulting decoction and apply it to the formation for 15 minutes. Repeat these steps twice a day, you can use the product left over from the morning.
- Walnut shell. The shells are used in a green, still unripe form. Wash it, dry it and grind it through a meat grinder (1 cup). Place the pulp in a deep container and fill it with kerosene (100 ml). Stir the mixture until smooth, leave for several hours and rub the papilloma on your lip with it. After 30 minutes, rinse off the product and wipe your lips dry.
Rubbing the papilloma with freshly squeezed juice of lemon, potatoes, aloe leaves and celandine helps a lot. The latter can also be applied to the growth in the form of a compress and kept for up to 20 minutes. It is enough to do this once a day at any time of the day.
Important! Do not forget to moisturize your lips when treating papillomas with olive or any other cold-pressed oil. It is especially important to do this before going outside so that the mucous membrane does not crack.
- Read other recipes for folk remedies for papillomas
If the formation cannot be eliminated using folk methods and drug therapy, you can resort to physiotherapeutic methods. They allow you to remove the growth in 1-2 visits to the doctor.