There are ways to remove genital warts. Before we talk about it, let us talk about the virus that causes the warts. Genital warts, medically termed Condylomata acuminata is a highly infectious disease caused by human papillomavirus. It enters the body during sexual intercourse with an infected partner through skin-to-skin contact. However, not all wart-like growth in the genital or perianal area is genital wart. Therefore, it is important to have it diagnosed before undertaking any mode of treatment.
See a dermatologist first. Depending upon the condition of the warts the doctor may prescribe different options for removing genital warts. Let us discuss few of them:
• Patient applied treatment involves applying different creams, gels and lotions in the prescribed dose for a prescribed period at a correct interval on external warts only. Using them too much, too often and for too long may cause irreparable damage.
• Liquid Nitrogen cryosurgery is doctor applied genital wart treatment. Under this process, the warts are killed using liquid nitrogen.
• Killing the warts by using Trichloroacetic acid, Bichloroacetic acid, Podophyllin resin (Podofin), Fluorouracil (Efudex, Fluoroplex) etc is less effective than cryosurgery and is not safe for use in vagina, cervix etc. Besides, there can be very bad side effects including fever, nausea, confusion etc.
• Surgical excision and laser ablation are two more methods of removing genital warts. They have greater risk of scarring. Laser ablation is more expensive than surgical excision, but not necessarily better.
• According to some, Intralesional interferon injections applied locally is the best method of removing genital warts.
There are mainly two types genital wart treatments, patient applied and doctor applied. Following are some basic facts that you should know:
• Let us first make it clear that there is no cure for human papillomavirus, the cause behind the genital warts. It can only be cleared by body’s immune system. As long as the virus remains in the body, the genital warts will keep appearing even after being removed. The virus can however, be kept under control by some kind of immunological response. Regular treatment of warts too can slow down the replication of the virus.
• Almost all treatments have the potentiality to cause depigmentation or scarring. There can be other side effects too.
• Genital warts that have grown on the outer skin and are within easy reach can be treated with patient applied topical medications.
• Warts grown inside the vagina or the rectum need doctor applied genital warts medication
The Interferon injection is generally given by the doctors or other qualified medical professionals. Interferon is considered to be one of the best medications that can cure genital warts in the best possible manner. The Interferon injection is given under the skin exactly below the genital wart. The doctor often gives you three injections in a week and the entire process may take at least three weeks. Depending upon the type of Interferon, the doctor may administer two injections in a week for eight weeks also.
The Interferon injection is not given to pregnant women. If you are pregnant then you need to tell the doctor immediately. The Interferon injection is not administered to pregnant women because this medication may harm the growing fetus. Like the other genital warts medication, Interferon also has some side effects. Some of the side effects are muscle aches, chills and fever, pain near the injection site, hives, temporary decrease in the white blood cells, and a decrease in the blood platelets.
However, inconsistency in the result has been reported despite its high cost. Besides, the patients can have muscle aches, chills and fevers, temporary decrease in the white blood cells, and decrease in the blood platelets as side effects. They may also develop urticaria, better known as hives and muscular pain. It is unfit for pregnant women as they can harm the fetus. They can try cryosurgery, which is safe for the fetus. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or if you become so during the course of the treatment.
Another minus point of Intralesional interferon is that though it is quite effective it is not that consistent, which means that reappearance of warts cannot be totally ruled out, in spite of it being one of the costliest modes of treatment. That is why many patient look towards alternate medicines to cure genital warts. Some of them promise to eradicate Condylomata acuminata from their roots and vouch that the warts once removed will not reappear.
Physical removal of genital warts can cause a lot of discomfort and many treatments may even leave behind the scars. Before your doctor gives or suggests are treatment for the genital warts make sure that you get to know all the pros and cons of that particular treatment. If the doctors don’t tell you all the details of the treatment, you must insist on the same. After the doctor gives you the information related to the genital warts treatment, you need to do a background check and confirm all the details.
Unlike AIDS, you cannot prevent HPV from entering your body simply by using condoms because unlike AIDS, the virus enters the body through skin-to-skin contact. Those who are sexually very active can take vaccination. Others have only their immune system to rely on.
Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=”http://www.treatmentforgenitalwarts.com”>genital wart cure</a>. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=”http://www.treatmentforgenitalwarts.com/healtharticles/”>genital wart remedies</a>. For more information, visit www.treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.