Summary

Genital warts are warts that appear in the genital area. There can be one wart or a cluster of warts. People get these warts by picking up the human papillomavirus (HPV) from someone who is already infected with this virus. HPV is a common, sexually transmitted infection. It is possible to spread or get these warts even when you cannot see them. Of the 100 or so types of HPV, just a few can cause genital warts. Genital warts often have no symptoms (what someone feels). Sometimes the warts itch, burn, hurt, or bleed. Genital warts can appear on the following areas of the body: Females Vulva (external female genitals), vagina, cervix, and groin. It seems on the penis, scrotum, thigh, and groin in males. Inbox sexes can appear on the mouth or throat after having oral sex with an infected person. In or around the anus after anal sex with someone who has HPV. Some HPV types can cause cervical cancer. Other examples can cause anal cancer, cancer of the penis, or mouth and throat cancer. There are many ways to treat genital warts. Since warts are often stubborn, you may need more than one visit to the dermatologist. Often, the dermatologist prescribes medications that you will apply to genital warts at home. Treatment may involve a procedure in the dermatologist’s office or a medicine you put on warts. He may cut it (excision), destroy the wart with electric current (electrocautery), or destroy it using laser light.

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What are Genital Warts?

Genital warts are warts that appear in the genital area. There can be one wart or a cluster of warts. People get these warts by picking up the human papillomavirus (HPV) from someone who is already infected with this virus. HPV is a common, sexually transmitted infection. It is possible to spread or get these warts even when you cannot see them. Of the 100 or so types of HPV, just a few can cause genital warts. Some HPV types can cause cervical cancer. Other examples can cause anal cancer, cancer of the penis, or mouth and throat cancer. You can get more than one type of HPV. There are many ways to treat genital warts. Since warts are often stubborn, you may need more than one visit to the dermatologist.

Genital warts appear in various sizes and shapes. Some people get a few warts. Others get many warts. The most common signs (what you see) of these warts are:

  • Small, scattered bumps that are skin-colored or a bit darker.
  • A cluster of bumps that look like cauliflower.
  • Growths in the genital area that it can raise,  or flat and smooth, or rough.

Genital warts often have no symptoms (what someone feels). Sometimes the warts itch, burn, hurt, or bleed. Genital warts can appear on the following areas of the body: Females Vulva (external female genitals), vagina, cervix, and groin. In males, it seems on the penis, scrotum, thigh, and groin. Inbox sexes can appear on the mouth or throat after having oral sex with an infected person. In or around the anus after anal sex with someone who has HPV.

Who gets Genital Warts?

Anyone who has sex can get human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts. At least half of the people who have sex have had an HPV infection. It is most common before age 30. Not everyone who gets an HPV infection gets genital warts. Most people never get these warts because the body’s immune system fights the virus. Most people get rid of the virus in a few years, and they are no longer contagious. People who have a weakened immune system may not be able to fight the virus. When the body cannot fight HPV, genital warts can grow. A person’s immune system can become weak from a disease such as cancer or AIDS. Some medicines, such as those to prevent organ rejection, also weaken the immune system. Research has found that smokers have a higher risk of getting genital warts than people who do not smoke. It is not clear why. Sometimes a child gets genital warts. It is rare, but an infected mother can pass the virus to her baby during childbirth. Warts may not show up right away. Genital warts in a child also can be a sign of sexual abuse.

What Causes Genital Warts?

  • Genital warts spread from a person who has HPV to another person through:
  • Sex (vaginal, anal, or oral).
  • Genital contact (people’s genitals touch).
  • Childbirth (from infected mother to baby).

How do  Dermatologists Diagnose Genital Warts?

People often feel embarrassed by the growth in their genital area and do not see a doctor. But seeing a dermatologist can provide peace of mind because you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment. A dermatologist can diagnose genital warts by examining warts during an office visit. Sometimes a dermatologist will remove a wart or part of it and send it to a laboratory. This can confirm that a patient has genital warts.

How do Dermatologists Treat Genital Warts?

Some genital warts clear without treatment. But removing warts has benefits because of procedure:

  • It lowers the risk of spreading the virus.
  • It can relieve any pain and itching.
  • It lets a person know that the growths are genital warts, not cancer.
  • Removes warts that can be hard to keep clean.

If you want to treat your genital warts, it is best to see a dermatologist. You should not use a wart medicine that you can buy without a prescription. These medicines treat other types of warts. Genital warts require different treatments. There are quite a few treatments for genital warts. Before choosing your treatment, a dermatologist will consider many things, including the number of warts, where the warts are, and your overall health. Treatment may involve a procedure in the dermatologist’s office or a medicine you put on warts. The following describes the different treatments for genital warts: Medicine: Often, the dermatologist prescribes medications that you will apply to genital warts at home. These prescription medicines include:

  • Podofilox for external warts (to stop the wart cells from growing).
  • Imiquimod (boosts the body’s immune system so it can fight HPV).
  • An ointment made of green tea extract (sinecatechins) for external warts and warts around the anus.
  • Cryosurgery (freeze off warts with liquid nitrogen).
  • Excision (cut out warts).
  • Electrocautery (destroy warts with an electric current).
  • Laser treatment (destroy warts with laser light).

Sometimes treatment requires more than one office visit. Other medications: Sometimes, medicine is injected into warts. Interferon, an antiviral drug, may be inserted into genital warts. This treatment is usually used in other treatment fails. Ask your dermatologist about possible side effects (health problems that can result from the procedure).

The outcome of Genital Warts Treatment

Treatment can remove warts you see, but it may not get rid of the virus. If the infection remains, warts can return. If you still have the virus, you can spread it through sex. Wearing a condom during sex can reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

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