Wart Removal Remedies

Genital warts are an extremely common form of the human papillovirus (HPV) and are referred to as a Sexually Transmitted Infection. Like other types of warts, the Genital warts are extremely easy to transmit through contact of infected areas, and because it is easy to be carrying the virus before showing any signs of infection someone could easily be spreading the virus without even realizing it. In the worst cases of infection it is possible that genital warts may lead to further development into cervical cancer.

Infection of this type of wart is primarily only caught through sexual contact with another infected person. Skin to Skin contact of the genital area doesn’t necessarily have to involve penetrative sex for the virus to be passed on, and even the sharing of sex toys can spread the infection. Just as with other types of wart infections, it is possible though quite rare, to pass on genital warts through using the same towels or underwear as an infected person. Also it has been known for pregnant women who have genital warts to pass the infection on to their babies during giving birth.

Genital Warts will often start off as tiny bumps, perhaps in a cluster that may later develop from lots of smaller warts into a larger mass of infected flesh. It can take anywhere from two weeks to several months after initial contact with a virus carrying person for the first signs of infection to manifest. They can occur anywhere around the genital area, on the penis for men and both inside or outside the vagina for women. In women the warts may appear also around the opening of the cervix, the womb, and in both sexes they can be found around the anal area. In some cases where oral sex has been performed on an infected person genital warts have been known to appear around the mouth or throat, although this is said to be quite rare.

The treatment of genital warts is normally an easy procedure, but unlike other warts such as the common or plantar warts it is not recommended to try any over the counter treatments. This is because these over the counter wart removal products are designed to be used on certain areas of the skin, and not the sensitive genital areas. If you suspect that you have genital warts the best advice is to see a doctor, as the most effective treatments need to be administered by a trained medical professional.

Depending on the individual, the doctor will prescribe one of a range of standard treatments for this condition. A cream may be administered to the infected area, two of the more common cream solutions used are Podophyllotoxin and Imiquimod, both of which are highly effective and also known to cause discomfort and inflammation of the surrounding skin during the treatment stages.

A treatment of Trichloroacetic acid may be administered. With this method the doctor applies the acid to the genital warts allowing the acid to chemically burn away the infected tissue. Repeat visits may be needed, easily up to six weeks worth.

For surgical removal of warts either cryotherapy or electrosurgery are the most common methods. Cryotherapy involves freezing the wart area using liquid nitrogen spray. The idea is that the frozen wart will die and drop off, but like all the other options a regime of treatment will probably be required before all the warts are gone and the infection is curbed. Electrosurgery is similar in that the aim is to directly kill the warts during a session. The doctors use an electrical current to heat the wart up, killing it. Some side effects of electrosurgery may include scarring, swelling, general pain and pain during intercourse.

This article is for general information only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your physician before considering any medical course of action.