Genital Warts Removal - The Best Methods
If you have genital warts, naturally you want to get rid of them.
Otherwise, the pain, the itching and the bleeding could drive you up the wall.
Here are some tips for genital wart removal.
First of all, visit your doctor.
As embarrassing as it may be, your doctor will examine the site and confirm that the spots in question are truly genital warts.
Your doctor will also be able to recommend the best course of action.
There are five main types of genital wart removal: 1.
Cryotherapy.
Liquid nitrogen is applied to the wart to freeze it off.
This is the most often used method to removal cervical warts.
2.
Electrocautery.
Heat is applied to the wart to burn it off.
Sometimes alpha-interferon is injected into the wart afterward several times per week over a period of several weeks to eliminate or reduce the remaining warts.
3.
Laser removal.
This is generally the procedure with the fastest recovery time.
4.
Surgical removal.
This is the usual option for larger warts.
While these first four methods are effective, they may cause skin irritations and scars.
5.
Chemical treatment.
Creams or other chemicals are applied to destroy the tissue.
Your doctor may apply it or you may be given a prescription to apply it yourself over a period of several weeks.
These can also cause skin irritation and they cannot be used on internal warts, such as those in the anus or vagina.
While chemical treatments are generally safe, using large amounts of it (especially those with podophyllin) without following instructions can cause nerve damage.
Recovery time for each of these treatments varies, depending on the size and location of the wart.
In general, plan on two weeks to several months to completely recover.
It is possible for new warts to develop over older warts.
External warts generally heal faster than internal ones.
While you are recovering, let your doctor if you experience a yellow discharge, pain, fever or significant bleeding, which could be signs of infection.
Unfortunately, you may expect some pain and bleeding after treatment, especially surgical removal.
For normal discomfort, prescription painkillers should suffice.
If any complications develop, see your doctor.
There is another option for removing genital warts: Do nothing.
About 25% of genital warts clear up by themselves within three months.
Unfortunately, while the warts can be removed, the human papillomavirus that caused them cannot.
The virus will remain dormant but it may or may not cause another flare-up of warts.
In addition, not treating genital warts can lead to other problems, including some forms of cancer.
Depending on where they are located, genital warts can also lead to painful urination or defecation.
They can also cause problems in swallowing if they are located in the mouth or throat.
A pregnant woman can pass the papillomavirus to her unborn baby.
It is best to use a condom or diaphragm to prevent the spread of genital warts to others.
Tell your sexual partner if you are diagnosed with genital warts so he or she can seek treatment too.
Otherwise, the pain, the itching and the bleeding could drive you up the wall.
Here are some tips for genital wart removal.
First of all, visit your doctor.
As embarrassing as it may be, your doctor will examine the site and confirm that the spots in question are truly genital warts.
Your doctor will also be able to recommend the best course of action.
There are five main types of genital wart removal: 1.
Cryotherapy.
Liquid nitrogen is applied to the wart to freeze it off.
This is the most often used method to removal cervical warts.
2.
Electrocautery.
Heat is applied to the wart to burn it off.
Sometimes alpha-interferon is injected into the wart afterward several times per week over a period of several weeks to eliminate or reduce the remaining warts.
3.
Laser removal.
This is generally the procedure with the fastest recovery time.
4.
Surgical removal.
This is the usual option for larger warts.
While these first four methods are effective, they may cause skin irritations and scars.
5.
Chemical treatment.
Creams or other chemicals are applied to destroy the tissue.
Your doctor may apply it or you may be given a prescription to apply it yourself over a period of several weeks.
These can also cause skin irritation and they cannot be used on internal warts, such as those in the anus or vagina.
While chemical treatments are generally safe, using large amounts of it (especially those with podophyllin) without following instructions can cause nerve damage.
Recovery time for each of these treatments varies, depending on the size and location of the wart.
In general, plan on two weeks to several months to completely recover.
It is possible for new warts to develop over older warts.
External warts generally heal faster than internal ones.
While you are recovering, let your doctor if you experience a yellow discharge, pain, fever or significant bleeding, which could be signs of infection.
Unfortunately, you may expect some pain and bleeding after treatment, especially surgical removal.
For normal discomfort, prescription painkillers should suffice.
If any complications develop, see your doctor.
There is another option for removing genital warts: Do nothing.
About 25% of genital warts clear up by themselves within three months.
Unfortunately, while the warts can be removed, the human papillomavirus that caused them cannot.
The virus will remain dormant but it may or may not cause another flare-up of warts.
In addition, not treating genital warts can lead to other problems, including some forms of cancer.
Depending on where they are located, genital warts can also lead to painful urination or defecation.
They can also cause problems in swallowing if they are located in the mouth or throat.
A pregnant woman can pass the papillomavirus to her unborn baby.
It is best to use a condom or diaphragm to prevent the spread of genital warts to others.
Tell your sexual partner if you are diagnosed with genital warts so he or she can seek treatment too.
