DEAR DR. GOTT:
My question is about papillomas. I am a 76-year-old female and understand they are not dangerous to my health. However, they are annoying, itchy and scaly. Is there any method by which I can remove them myself, other than having surgical removal by a doctor? I’ve had many removed over the years, but they always come back after a short period of time in an adjacent area.

DEAR READER:
Papillomas are tumors of the skin and mucosal membranes that have been changed in composition or structure by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Most skin lesions are benign; however mucosal lesions can be pre-malignant. Because your physician indicated the papillomas removed in the past were not dangerous to your health, I surmise he sent one or more of them out for laboratory analysis to verify his diagnosis. [Read more...]