Author:
Monica Porter
Date Of Creation:
16 March 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Genital warts are small, bumpy, cauliflower-like lesions that float on the skin. Although it can occur in both men and women, men can develop warts on the testicles, penis, thighs, and groin area. It is caused by a very common virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV) which has more than 100 types. The majority of cases cause no symptoms other than itching, pain, or occasional bleeding. The two most dangerous types of HPV, HPV 16 and 18, have a high cancer risk, but the most common are HPV types 6 and 11. This virus is transmitted through sex, including vaginal contact, anus or mouth.You can also see HPV lesions in / around the mouth, lips, anus, tongue, nose, eyes, and throat. The HPV vaccine is an effective way to prevent the disease. The HPV vaccine in men not only helps prevent the spread of HPV to women, but also prevents related diseases and cancer.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Recognize genital warts
Consider your risk factors. Certain behaviors put you at a higher risk of getting HPV. Ask yourself the following questions, as your doctor will most likely ask the same questions when you visit:- How many sex partners do you have? The more sex partners you have, the more likely you are to get infected with the virus.
- Do you use a condom? This protection helps reduce the chances of sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV.
- How old are you? Genital warts are more common in teenagers and young adults.
- Do you have a serious infection or cancer, or are you taking drugs that damage your immune system? Infectious diseases such as HIV / AIDS impair the body's ability to fight infections. Blood cancers like leukemia (leukemia) cause the immune cells to mutate and dysfunction. Steroid drugs also gradually weaken the immune system.
- Have you noticed any skin damage to your genitals? Lacerations in the skin allow the virus to enter the body.
- Are you circumcised? Uncircumcised men are more likely to get HPV and pass it on to their sexual partners.
Distinguish symptoms from other diseases / infections. Genital warts can be mistaken for other medical conditions, so it's best to make an appointment with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Note the following characteristics to make the distinction at home:- HPV warts are skin-colored lesions. Redder fluid-filled blisters are more likely genital herpes.
- HPV warts do not contain fluid and do not rupture. Genital herpes blisters are painful and can burst - form an ulcer - and drain before they heal. An ulcer (open lesion on the skin) in the penis can also be a sign of syphilis in an early stage. Syphilis sores are usually painless.
- The pain is occasional, but pain and itchiness is more commonly associated with herpes and genital warts.
- Other symptoms - including a red rash in the palms and feet, white patches in the mouth and genitals, fever, hair loss and sore throat - may be signs of stage syphilis. second, in addition to genital warts.
- The small particles that appear around the glans of the penis that are skin-colored, red, yellow, pink, or transparent can be "penis pearl beads" and are completely harmless. This is considered a normal difference in the skin of the penis and is not contagious.
- HPV warts are not concave. A pimple can be a manifestation of a viral infection called mulluscum contagiosum. Molluscum contagiosum can also be a sign of HIV infection.
See your doctor. Seeing a doctor is the best way to identify genital warts. Your doctor will also help you decide on the most appropriate treatment. Usually genital warts go away within a few months and about 90% of cases go away in 2 years without treatment. Sometimes a doctor will not prescribe any treatment other than wait to see if the disease improves, or if more unpleasant symptoms appear. If you don't want to see the doctor, keep an eye on the warts for the following symptoms:- Increase size
- Increasing the number
- Develops in other areas of the body
- Development of other characteristic symptoms such as itching, pain, bleeding from warts, hair loss, fever, white patches in the mouth and genital area, penile sores, sore throat. As mentioned above, syphilis can cause warts and should be detected and treated early. Syphilis can lead to neurological problems if left untreated.
- Age and cancer - HPV is the cause of approximately 63% of penile cancers in the United States. The average age of a patient diagnosed with the disease is 68, but there are also cases that develop earlier in the age of 30. See your doctor urgently if you notice other symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, or flow. penile blood, tumors on the penis, a rash, thickening of the penis, secretions of foul secretions.
Method 2 of 3: Treat genital warts with medication
Avoid over-the-counter drugs. You should not apply any over-the-counter medications to the genital area. The skin in this area is very delicate and fragile, and applying chemicals to the skin without proper knowledge and training can lead to damage.
See your doctor. Your doctor will examine the warts and other areas of your body to find out where there are any more warts. Your doctor may apply a small amount of trichloroacetic acid solution to the affected area. This solution will whiten the wart for better visibility, and also works to remove the wart. You can talk to your doctor and get advice about treatment options.
- Treatments are based on many factors, including the size and number of the warts, the area damaged, the treatments applied previously, and whether the disease recurs.
- You should also remember that there is no way to treat the virus, but only to remove the warts.
Inquire about immune response modifiers. This medicine boosts immune proteins in the body to help get rid of the warts. There are several types of drugs in this class, including:
- Imiquimod - Your doctor will apply 5% imiquimod cream to the affected area and then prescribe it for you. When you get home, you will wear disposable gloves to apply the cream before bed. When you wake up the next morning (6-10 hours after applying the medicine), wash off with soap and water. Apply 3 times per week for 16 weeks.
- Interferon alpha - The doctor will inject into the root of the 3 million IU (international unit) interferon wart. You will get injections 3 times a week for the next 3 weeks. Larger warts may require more shots. After 4-8 weeks, the warts will disappear. If the warts persist after 12-16 weeks, your doctor may recommend a second course of treatment.
Ask about cytotoxic drug plans. This medication can destroy the warts and prevent them from spreading. However, it can also damage healthy areas of the skin. If you drop the medication or accidentally apply it to healthy areas, rinse it off with soap and water. Side effects may include pain, irritation, itching, and redness. Options include:
- Podofilox - This drug is suitable for the treatment of lesions less than 10 cm². To make sure you take the correct dose, your doctor will guide you on the dosage and how to apply it. Use a cotton swab if it's liquid or finger if it's a gel type applied to the affected area. Apply 2 times a day for 3 consecutive days, then rest for 4 days without drug. Repeat this process for up to 4 weeks.
- Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and bichloracetic acid (BCA) are medications that are applied directly by a doctor. Your doctor will use a cotton ball to dab the acid on the wart. You will be recommended weekly treatment for 4-6 weeks. This is one of the most popular treatments.
- Podophyllin - This is a medicine applied by your doctor for warts smaller than 10 cm. The doctor will apply a small amount of medicine to the affected area. You will be advised to leave the medicated skin open to dry and not contact the clothing. The first application of the drug should be left open for 30-40 minutes. For subsequent treatments, you can wait 1-4 hours, then rinse with soap and water. This medication can be applied weekly for up to 6 weeks.
- This drug is not intended for use during pregnancy or possible pregnancy. Limit your contact with female sex partners.
- 5-Fluorouracil - Your doctor may apply your first dose of medication or prescribe it for you. Use a cotton swab to apply the medicine to the affected area 1-3 times a week. Only use a small amount. Allow the cream to dry and not stain clothes. Wash off with soap and water after 3-10 hours (depends on prescription).
- Sinecatechins - These are green tea extracts that your doctor may prescribe for you. Use your finger to apply a thin layer of 15% ointment to the affected area. Apply 3 times a day for 6 weeks or until the wart disappears. Do not wash off the drug, avoid sexual intercourse.
Explore home remedies. There are a number of home remedies available to get rid of warts, although medical studies are lacking. According to the naturopaths, you can use plant-based creams like aloe and vitamin A, C, and E supplements. You should talk to your therapist.
- These treatments aim to correct the nutritional deficiencies, thereby helping the immune system fight off the wart. In addition, many types have antioxidants that help fight infections.
Method 3 of 3: Consider surgical options
Consult your doctor about surgical options. Your doctor may recommend surgery if you have a large number of warts or a large area of skin damaged. Your doctor may also recommend one of the options below if the condition recurs many times.
Ask about cryosurgery. This is a method of using liquid nitrogen to freeze the fluid inside the wart and destroy the wart-forming cells. The doctor will use an alcohol pad to clean the area of the wart and use a tool containing liquid nitrogen to dab the wart until 5 mm of the surrounding skin is frozen. The skin will be frozen for another 30 seconds until it turns white, and the skin will disappear after the thaw time. If the pain is bearable, another course of treatment will be done.
- Within 24 hours, a small fluid-filled bag forms on the treated skin area. One additional therapy can be done for 1-2 weeks if needed.
- After 2-4 treatments in 6-12 weeks, 75-80% of patients completely recover from the warts.
- This procedure can be done with commercially available kits, but health care professionals recommend that the patient see a doctor for the procedure.
Ask about electric burning methods. This method uses high-frequency current to cut the warts. Before that, the doctor will anesthetize the skin to be treated. After surgery, your doctor will likely prescribe pain relievers if needed.
- Electrosurgery is effective in treating a small number of lesions on the shaft of the penis.
Determine if resection is the right choice. With this method, the doctor will use a scalpel to remove the wart. For small and small warts, your doctor will inject 1% lidocaine for local anesthesia. Larger surgeries may require general anesthesia. Depending on the size of the wart removed, your doctor may stitch the healthy skin together.
Ask your doctor about laser surgery. This method uses a carbon dioxide laser to remove the wart and is especially effective in relapses. This is an outpatient treatment, performed in a doctor's office (usually a dermatologist). Your doctor will administer general or local anesthesia to combat pain or discomfort during laser treatment.
- Doctors will usually prescribe pain relievers after surgery, as most patients experience discomfort after surgery.
- It is extremely important not to move while the laser is shining on the skin, as this can lead to damage to healthy tissue.
