Genital warts are contracted by sexual activity. Through sexual activity, oral sex, or genital-to-genital contact, HPV can spread. Both same-sex partners and partners of the other sex can get HPV from an infected person.
Not every person infected Best Genital warts with the virus gets warts. Even if you cannot see the warts, they might still spread or develop. Some HPV-positive persons are unaware that they are infected because they never have genital warts.
Before engaging in sexual activity, it’s critical for those who have genital warts to inform their partners.
WHAT DO GENITAL WARTS LOOK LIKE?
Some patients who have genital warts only have one wart; more frequently, many warts develop. These warts might resemble.
Little, dispersed lumps on the skin, or a cauliflower-shaped group.
Genital warts are typically:
varies in size, skin-colored or slightly darker, elevated or flat, smooth or abrasive to the touch.
WHO GETS GENITAL WARTS?
Nowadays, there are 79 million Americans who have HPV infection. Each year, 14 million new cases of infection occur. Most sexually active men and women will get at least one kind of HPV at some time in their lives since HPV is so widespread.
The majority of people who get HPV are unaware of it. As their immune system automatically begins to battle the infection, they never experience any signs or symptoms and never have genital warts. Because of this, an infected individual may unknowingly infect sexual partners.
A compromised immune system may make it difficult for a person to combat the infection. An illness like cancer or HIV can compromise a person’s immune system. A person’s immune system can be weakened by some medications, such as those used to avoid organ rejection in transplant patients.
Genital warts can form if the body is unable to combat HPV. After having intercourse with an infected person, these warts can not start to show for several weeks or months.
While extremely unlikely, a pregnant mother with genital HPV may birth her child with the virus.
DO GENITAL WARTS ONLY APPEAR IN THE GENITAL AREA?
For women, genital warts often develop in the external genitalia, while for men, they typically develop on the penis, scrotum, and thighs. Moreover, warts can develop within the mouth, oesophagus, vagina, or anus.
HOW DOES A DERMATOLOGIST DIAGNOSE GENITAL WARTS?
The warts will be examined by a dermatologist during a clinic appointment. A dermatologist may occasionally remove a wart or a portion of one and send it to a lab for confirmation of the diagnosis.
HOW ARE GENITAL WARTS TREATED?
Genital warts can be treated in a number of ways by dermatologists. A dermatologist will choose the best course of therapy for the patient.
takes into account the patient’s general health as well as the quantity and location of the warts.
A prescription for medication to be used at home is given to some patients. As instructed, patients apply the medication on the warts. These medications include sinecatechins, podofilox (which prevents the growth of wart cells), and imiquimod (which strengthens the body’s defences against HPV) (a green tea extract that clears the warts).
Going through a procedure at the dermatologist’s clinic might potentially be part of the treatment. The dermatologist may use liquid nitrogen to freeze the warts in order to remove them during the operation. The dermatologist may also remove the warts surgically or use a laser or electric current to eliminate them.
Injecting an antiviral drug called interferon into the warts is another potential method if these treatments are unsuccessful.
WHY SHOULD GENITAL WARTS BE TREATED?
Some genital warts disappear on their own. Wart removal in a dermatologist’s office is advantageous because
treatment:
lessens the likelihood of the infection spreading to other people
reduces discomfort They may impair urination, sexual arousal, and bowel motions.
takes warts, which may be challenging to maintain clean, out
In addition, getting therapy reveals if the growths are genital warts or cancer. early detection, and
The best outcome for malignancies brought on by HPV is therapy:
Without receiving a medical diagnosis, never attempt to cure genital warts. Do not take medication intended for the treatment of other wart kinds. Genital warts should not be treated with medications that are effective for treating common warts and foot warts. For genital wart therapy, consult a dermatologist.
DOES TREATMENT CLEAR HPV?
Therapy gets rid of the visible warts, but it might not eradicate the HPV infection. If the HPV infection persists, the virus may move to new hosts or result in cancer that is linked to HPV. There is no test to determine if the HPV is still present.
After genital wart treatment, patients should follow these safety precautions:
Apply a condom (reduces risk of spreading HPV to others).
(Women) Obtain Pap tests as advised by your
Women who have experienced genital warts should have regular Pap smears. The greatest method for spotting early cervix abnormalities that might lead to cervical cancer mortality is still pap smears. Follow-up is crucial in the event that a Pap smear is abnormal.
CAN GENITAL WARTS BE PREVENTED?
People can take steps to lower their chance of developing genital warts.
Purchase an HPV vaccination. Males and girls receive these shots before their first sexual experience, often when they are preteens, at (or before) the ages of 11 or 12. There are two vaccinations that can shield both sexes against illnesses (including malignancies) brought on by HPV. It’s crucial to receive all three doses of the immunisations, which are spread out over six months. Both HPV vaccinations can aid in preventing women from the majority of cervical cancers.
Apply condoms. Using condoms can greatly reduce your chance of contracting HPV. A condom may not give 100 percent protection against HPV since it might infect skin that is not covered by one.
WHY SEE A DERMATOLOGIST?
Individuals frequently avoid going to the doctor because they are ashamed of growths in their genitalia. While though some genital warts may disappear on their own, visiting a dermatologist can provide you piece of mind and hasten the process.
A medical professional who specialises in treating medical, surgical, and aesthetic disorders of the skin, hair, and nails is known as a dermatologist. Visit aad.org or dial this toll-free number (888) 462-DERM to find a board-certified dermatologist in your region or to learn more about genital warts (3376).