How to Get Rid of Warts

Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in Australia. They are caused by the human papilloma virus  (HPV, “wart virus”). There are about 100 strains of HPV, but most do not affect the genitals.

Infection by the wart virus may result in:

* Genital warts

These are growths that appear around the genitals or anus, and sometimes in the vagina, rectum or urethra.

They may be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large, and may cluster together with a cauliflower-like appearance. They are painless and rarely cause discomfort.

* Subclinical infection

No warts are visible but microscopic changes in cells show evidence of the virus.

Symptoms of Genital Warts
Like many other STDs, HPV infection often does not cause symptoms. One study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reported that almost half of the all women with HPV had no visible symptoms. However, in many cases, small, hard spots (easily visible to the eye) can develop within three weeks to three months after exposure.

In women, the warts occur on the lips of the vagina, inside the vagina or around the anus. Anogenital warts may be itchy. Women also develop cervical warts, which are flat lesions invisible in their early stages. HPV infection is one of the most common causes of abnormal Pap smear tests.
In females, genital warts appear in and around the vagina or anus or on the cervix. In males, they appear on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh. Genital warts can be raised or flat, small or large. Sometimes they’re clustered together in a cauliflower-like shape. Most of the time, they’re flesh-colored and painless. Sometimes, the warts are so small and flat that they may not be noticed right away.

It may take several months or years after infection for symptoms to appear — if there are symptoms at all.

In females, the virus can lead to changes in the cervix that may lead to cancer, so it’s important that it is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Males infected with HPV can also be at risk for cancer of the penis and the anus.

Transmission

HPV is spread by direct skin contact with a partner during vaginal or anal intercourse. Infection may occur by contact with a visible wart, and possibly also from an area of skin with no visible wart (subclinical infection).

After sex with an infected person, warts may take a few weeks to many months (or even years) to appear.
Diagnosis

Genital warts are diagnosed by looking for them.

Subclinical HPV infection is difficult to diagnose. However, if present on the cervix, it may show up on a Pap smear.

There are no blood tests or swab tests to diagnose genital warts.

It is important for a person who may have genital warts to see a doctor so other types of similar-looking infections or conditions can be ruled out or treated.

Genital warts are usually diagnosed by direct visual examination. When acetic acid (vinegar) is swabbed on the cervix or penis, HPV lesions appear whitish.

Colposcopy, a painless examination during which a lighted magnifying instrument is used to view the internal reproductive organs in women, can be performed in the doctor’s office.

In some cases, it is necessary to do a biopsy of cervical tissue. This involves taking a small sample of tissue from the cervix and examining it under the microscope. Sampling cells with a biopsy and testing for HPV genetic material may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment removes visible warts, but does not eradicate the wart virus. There are several types of treatment. Each may cause mild irritation, but if you experience significant discomfort or inflammation you should tell your doctor. An alternative treatment may be required.

Cryotherapy

Warts are frozen by applying liquid nitrogen or dry ice once a week. It usually takes several applications before the warts disappear. You may not be able to see the warts yourself, so it is important to continue the treatment until the doctor says the warts have gone.

Podophyllotoxin paint

Podophyllotoxin paint (Condylline) is a plant extract that is easily absorbed through the skin. It should be carefully applied to the warts twice daily for 3 days, followed by a break of 4 days. This treatment may be repeated for several cycles. Podophyllotoxin does not need to be washed off after application, but it should not be applied inside the vagina, urethra or anus.

Podophyllotoxin should not be used by pregnant women.

Imiquimod

Imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara) helps stimulate the immune system to destroy cells infected with HPV. Studies suggest it works better in women than men.

Rub a small amount of cream on to the warts, avoiding the surrounding skin. Wash the cream off with soap and water after 6 to 10 hours. Apply the treatment 3 times a week (on alternate nights) for up to 3 months. Imiquimod must be prescribed by a doctor. It is expensive, but private health insurance may reimburse you for some of the cost.

Imiquimod should not be used by pregnant women.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment is used when warts are in places that are difficult to reach, very extensive or resistant to other treatments.  If a Pap smear reveals evidence of HPV on the cervix, laser treatment may be used to remove the affected cells.

Laser treatment is administered in hospital under a general anaesthetic.
Recurrence after treatment

Most treatments destroy cells that are infected by the wart virus, but do not remove the virus from the body.

Because the virus may persist in the skin, it is possible for warts to return after treatment. If warts reappear, it does not necessarily mean that you have caught the infection again.

In most people, warts go away eventually and do not reappear. This is thought to be due to the body’s natural defences.

HPV and cancer

When some strains of HPV infect the cervix, they cause changes to its cells. These changes can be detected on a Pap smear, and they may be present in women who have never had visible genital warts.

Often these cells return to normal without any treatment, but sometimes the abnormalities persist and there may be an increased risk of developing cancer of the cervix in future. The risk is further increased in women who smoke.

Fortunately, cancer can be prevented by treating the abnormal cells.

Women with a history of genital warts or HPV need regular Pap smears. Your doctor can advise how often smears are needed.

Contagiousness

Genital warts are transmitted through sexual contact (anal, oral, and vaginal) with an infected person, and warts can appear within several weeks or months afterwards.

The virus is passed through skin-to-skin contact, but not everyone who’s been exposed to the virus will develop genital warts.

HPV is easiest to pass on when there are visible warts present, but there is an infectious period before they appear and after they resolve. The length of this period is unknown. People with visible warts can reduce the risk of spreading HPV infection by having warts treated as soon as they appear. Those with subclinical HPV infection may pass it on without realising they have the infection.

Condoms will help to prevent spreading warts, but they will only protect the area they cover. As HPV may be present anywhere in the anal and genital area, they may not provide full protection. For people in steady sexual relationships, the benefit of condoms is less clear, especially if both partners have warts. Discuss this with your doctor.
Coping with warts

Prevention

A vaccine for females 9 to 26 years old is approved to prevent HPV infection, which causes most cervical cancers and genital warts. The vaccine, called Gardasil, is given as three injections over a 6-month period. It doesn’t protect females who’ve already been infected with HPV, and doesn’t protect against all types of HPV, so be sure your daughter gets routine checkups and gynecologic exams. If you have questions about the vaccine, talk with your doctor.

Because genital warts are spread through sexual contact, the best way to prevent them is to abstain from having sex. Sexual contact with more than one partner or with someone who has more than one partner increases the risk of contracting any STD.

When properly and consistently used, condoms decrease the risk of STDs. Latex condoms provide greater protection than natural-membrane condoms. The female condom, made of polyurethane, is also considered effective against STDs.

Using douche can actually increase a female’s risk of contracting STDs because it can change the natural flora of the vagina and may flush bacteria higher into the genital tract.

A teen who is being treated for genital warts also should be tested for other STDs, and should have time alone with the doctor to openly discuss issues like sexual activity. Not all teens will be comfortable talking with parents about these issues. But it’s important to encourage them to talk to a trusted adult who can provide the facts.
Treatment

Though there’s no cure for an HPV infection, the genital warts can be treated and removed with prescription medication or other medical procedures, such as freezing or laser treatments.

Because the HPV remains dormant in the body, genital warts may reappear at any time after treatment. Those who have had one outbreak of genital warts still carry the virus and can infect others. Someone who has had HPV can also get a new HPV infection from another partner.

Getting Help

If your teen is thinking of becoming sexually active or already has started having sex, it’s important to talk with him or her about it. Make sure your teen knows how STDs can be spread (during anal, oral, or vaginal sex) and that these infections often don’t have symptoms, so a partner might have an STD without knowing it.

It can be difficult to talk about STDs, but just as with any other medical issue, teens need this information to stay safe and healthy. Provide the facts, and let your child know where you stand.

It’s also important that all teens have regular full physical exams — which can include screening for STDs. Your teen may want to see a gynecologist or a specialist in adolescent medicine to talk about sexual health issues. Community health organizations and sexual counseling centers in your local area also may be able to offer some guidance.

It is common for people with warts or HPV infection to feel upset, ashamed or concerned about the risk of cancer. This is normal, and it may help to remember the following points:

Genital warts can be managed. With patience and persistence, the warts will go away.

Cervical cancer, the most serious problem associated with HPV, is easily prevented by regular Pap smears and treatment of abnormal cells.

Causes and Risk Factors of Genital Warts
Genital warts are spread by sexual contact with an infected partner and are very contagious. Approximately two-thirds of all persons who have sexual contact with an infected partner will develop this sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Although much remains to be learned about how the papilloma virus progresses, doctors have observed that the warm, moist environment in the genital area seems to favor wart growth. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during pregnancy and in patients with defective immune systems.

Patients with a history of genital warts may be at increased risk for certain types of cancer. The human papilloma virus is associated with up to 90 percent of all cervical malignancies and may play a role in cancers of the vagina, anus, vulva and penis.

Cervical warts may be transmitted to the newborn via passage through the infected birth canal.

Treatment of Genital Warts
Genital warts often occur in groups and can accumulate into large masses on genital tissues. They often reappear after treatment. Depending on factors, such as their size and location, genital warts are treated in several ways.

A doctor may recommend treatment with a chemical, such as a 25 percent podophyllin solution, which is applied to the affected area and washed off after several hours. Podophyllin should not be used during pregnancy, because it is absorbed by the skin and may cause birth defects.

Small warts can be removed by freezing (liquid nitrogen) or burning (electrodesiccation).

Imiquimod, a 5 percent cream that is an interferon inducer, has produced moderate activity in clearing external genital warts.

Surgery is occasionally needed to remove large warts that have not responded to other treatment.

Doctors at some medical centers also use laser surgery to remove genital warts.

Genital Warts Videos

Hot Genital Warts Articles & Questions:
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We are always trying to improve this blog and make it the best online source on how to get rid of genital warts and thats why we always want to hear your feedback and suggestions and maybe you can even tell us about your experience and how did you dealt with warts. If there is anything that you cant find here on the blog we advice you to read any of these great resources to learn more: Genital Warts (HPV) Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment,Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Genital Warts,Genital Wart Pictures,Genital Wart (Condyloma Acuminata) in Adults,HPV Vaccine Information For Young Women orHPV vaccine can prevent genital warts in men.

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