Skin Papillomas: Why They Appear and How to Remove Them Safely

A papilloma is a small, soft growth that sticks out from the skin. They usually appear on the neck, in the armpits, on the eyelids, under the breasts and in the groin. Most are harmless, but they catch on clothing and jewellery, get injured, become inflamed and affect appearance. Removing them safely is a job for a dermatologist.

Papillomas and warts: what is the difference?

In everyday speech "papilloma" covers several different growths:

• Skin tags (acrochordons) — soft skin growths on a thin stalk. Linked to friction, excess weight, diabetes and pregnancy; not contagious.
• Viral papillomas and warts — caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They appear on the hands, soles and face and can spread by contact. There is a separate article on warts in children.
• Genital growths (condylomas) — need examination and treatment by a dermatovenereologist.

Which one you have — and whether the growth is really a papilloma and not a mole or something else — the doctor decides with an examination and dermoscopy.

Why is home removal risky?

• Tying with thread and cutting cause bleeding, infection and scarring.
• Celandine, acids and "burning" products leave burns and marks.
• Most importantly, the growth may not be a papilloma but something else — including something dangerous. Destroying it without an examination loses the diagnosis.

How are papillomas removed at the clinic?

The doctor chooses the method by the type, size and location of the growth:

• CO₂ laser — precisely vaporises the growth layer by layer, without bleeding; well suited to the face and eyelids;
• radiowave method (Surgitron) — a radiowave "knife" cuts the growth and seals the vessels at the same time;
• surgical removal — for large or suspicious growths, so the tissue can be sent for histology.

It is done under local anaesthetic and takes a few minutes. A suspicious growth is always sent for histology.

Aftercare

• A crust forms and falls off in 5–10 days — do not pick it.
• Treat the spot with the antiseptic your doctor recommends.
• For the first few days avoid steaming the area, saunas and swimming pools.
• The new skin stays sun-sensitive for 1–2 months — use SPF 50.

Do papillomas come back?

A removed papilloma rarely grows back in the same spot. But the tendency remains: new ones may appear elsewhere over time. Keeping weight and blood sugar in check and protecting the skin from friction reduce the number of new ones.

Papilloma removal in Fergana and Kokand

At Radeski Skin Clinic a dermatologist examines the growth with a dermatoscope, chooses the right method and removes it safely in the surgical dermatology department.

• Wart and papilloma removal in Fergana;
• Wart and papilloma removal in Kokand;
• in depth: DEKA CO₂ laser, Molluscum contagiosum.

If a papilloma bleeds, starts to grow or changes colour, do not put off removal — and have a dermatologist look at it.