What is a warty nevus? Why is this skin protrusion dangerous? We will answer these and other questions regarding the mentioned disease below.
General information
Warty nevus is a benign lesion on the skin. It consists of novocytes, which contain a large amount of a pigment such as melanin.
The word "nevus" is of Latin origin naevus. Translated into Russian, it sounds like a "mole".
In general, there are many different types of spots on the skin (birthmarks). They can be congenital, that is, noticeable from the first days of life, and acquired, that is, they appear a little later. The classification of such formations is very extensive. However, the most common of these are: papillomatous (or warty nevus of the scalp), intradermal and dysplastic.
Causes of occurrence
Why does a warty nevus form? Many experts note that almost all such formations, including those that have appeared with age, are congenital skin defects. According to scientists, disorders leading to the development of a tumor occur even atembryonic level.
The main factors in the development of such a ledge include:
- fluctuations in sex hormones (progestins and estrogens) in a pregnant woman;
- infectious diseases of the genitourinary system in pregnant women;
- impact on the pregnant woman's body of adverse factors;
- genetic disorders.
All these reasons can lead to impaired development of melanoblasts, that is, cells from which melanocytes are subsequently formed. Subsequently, they accumulate in certain parts of the skin and are converted into nevocytes. The latter differ from standard melanocytes in the following ways:
- they have no processes, thanks to which the pigment could spread to other cells;
- dysplastic warty nevus obeys the regulatory systems of the patient's body worse, however, unlike cancer cells, he has not lost this ability to the full extent.
Other reasons
For what other reasons can a warty nevus appear, the photo of which is presented in this article? Such formation often occurs due to:
- Hormonal changes in the body. This is especially evident in adolescents.
- The action of ultraviolet rays on human skin. Frequent and prolonged exposure to the sun or solariums contribute to the increased growth of age spots.
- Pregnancy. As mentioned above, this is due to the fluctuation of sex hormones.
- Menopause.
- Receptioncontraceptives.
- Inflammatory and allergic skin diseases (for example, acne, dermatitis, various rashes).
Papillomatous verrucous nevus on head
What distinguishes papillomatous nevus from others? This is a benign formation protruding above the skin, which very much resembles a papilloma. Most often, such a protrusion is located on the head. It can be congenital or acquired.
Due to the fact that the risk of transformation of papillomatous nevus into melanoma is small, this type of birthmark is classified as melanomanohazardous. What is the reason for its occurrence? Experts say that such education is a genetic feature of a person.
The warty nevus, located on the head, has uneven outlines and a bumpy surface. It rises above the level of the skin and may be covered with hairs.
The color of this formation is brown or brown. Sometimes it may not differ at all from he althy areas of the skin. It should also be noted that this formation is single or multiple and often reaches very large sizes.
Intradermal nevus
This warty nevus is a type of congenital mole and almost never transforms into a malignant neoplasm.
Until now, experts have not identified the cause of this type of birthmark. Although there is a hypothesis that claims that such a protrusion above the skin occurs due to genetic disorders.
Intradermal nevus has a domed appearance. Sometimes it can be located on the "leg" and in its shape resemble a blackberry.
The color of such formation varies from light to brown or completely black. Its size reaches no more than a few centimeters.
This type of nevus is multiple and single. Most often it is located on the neck and face. In rare cases, such a protrusion appears on other areas of the skin.
Melanocyte-dysplastic nevus
This formation is often called an atypical birthmark. It is a precursor of a malignant tumor, i.e. melanoma.
It is found in the same percentage in both sexes. Arising at 12-15 years, the protrusion continues to grow on the body until old age, forming new spots.
A person's age, gender and individual perception of UV rays do not affect the appearance of this formation. They are inherited through an autoimmune channel. With strong exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet radiation, such warts degenerate into melanoma.
There is also a high risk of converting this nevus into a malignant tumor in those taking immunosuppressants.
A typical symptom of this formation is its dual structure. Melanocytic verrucous nevus very often occurs on the scalp. It looks like a rounded spot with blurred borders, the central part of which is slightly raised.
Such a formation can be red-pink or even black-brown. Its size reaches 5 mm.
Most often this protrusion appears multiple. In most cases, such spots are located on those areas of the skin that are closed from sunlight (for example, the scalp, lower extremities, back, chest, genitals and buttocks). The extremely rare considered melanocytic nevus is formed on the face.
Treatment methods
How to cure a warty nevus? Removal - this is the method offered by traditional medicine and cosmetology.
The most popular and affordable way to treat this formation is resection with a surgical scalpel. The main disadvantage of this procedure is that after its implementation, scars and scars remain. In addition, such an operation is quite painful. Although in some cases, including malignant dysplastic nevus, this method is most effective.
Another way to remove moles is cryotherapy. It involves the use of refrigerants such as liquid nitrogen or dry ice. Under the influence of low temperature, nevocytes are first frozen and then die.
The opposite of cryotherapy to get rid of birthmarks is electrocoagulation. Its principle of action is based on cauterization of pigment cells. Such an operation is extremely painful, therefore, requires the use of anesthesia.
Other treatments
Also existother treatments for nevi. These include laser removal and point irradiation. The advantages of such methods are painlessness, the speed of the procedure, the absence of anesthesia, scars and scars.
