HPV Infection – Genital Warts
HPV Infection – Genital Warts
2022-05-20 10:10:37/ Kategori : Gynecology and Obstetrics, Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) and burning with electric current (electrocautery) are the most common treatment methods for genital warts.
HPV infection commonly causes warts on the skin or mucous membranes. Some types of HPV infections cause cervical cancer in women.
Different HPV infections cause warts on different parts of your body. For example, some types of HPV infections cause warts in the genital area, while others cause warts that appear mostly on the face or neck.
Male Genital Warts
In most cases, your body’s immune system defeats the HPV infection before allowing warts to form. These appear as flat lesions, small cauliflower-like bumps, or tiny stalk-like projections. In women, genital warts most often occur on the vulva, but they can also appear on the anus, cervix or vagina.
In men, genital warts occur around the penis and scrotum or anus. Genital warts rarely cause discomfort or pain, although they may itch.
Your doctor can diagnose HPV infection by looking at your warts. If genital warts are not showing, you will need one or more of the following tests:
- Acetic acid solution test: A vinegar solution applied to HPV-infected genital areas will turn them white. This can be helpful in identifying flat lesions that are hard to see.
Treatment
Warts usually go away without treatment in children. However, there is no cure for the virus, so they can reappear in the same place or elsewhere.
Medicines
Medications used to remove warts are typically applied directly to the lesion. Examples include:
- Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is an abrasive, acid-based solution that is one of the most common wart treatments. Salicylic acid used on warts can cause skin irritation and should not be used on the face.
- Imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara): This prescription cream may increase your immune system’s ability to fight HPV. Common side effects include redness and swelling at the application site.
- Podofilox (Condylox): Another superficial drug, podofilox acts by destroying the genital wart tissue. Podofilox may cause pain and itching where it is applied.
- Trichloroacetic acid: This chemical treatment burns away warts on the palms, soles, and genitals. May cause local irritation.
Surgery and Other Procedures
Your doctor may recommend removing warts with one of these methods:
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy)
- Burning with an electric current (electrocautery)
- surgical removal
- laser surgery
