Genital warts are unsightly, itchy, and currently have no permanent cure.
They are caused by HPV, or the human papillomavirus virus.
The warts can have different appearances, from looking like flat white patches whereas others are bumpy clusters.
There are times when a person will not be able to see them at all.
They are located around the genitals and can cause itching, bleeding, and in some cases, lead to cervical cancer in women.
The virus can only spread through direct contact through sexual activities and can spread even if there are no visible symptoms.
Though there is no cure, there are several treatments that can help reduce their appearance or remove them completely.
Cryotherapy This genital warts removal involves freezing the affected areas, similar to freezing regular warts that appear on hands.
If they are growing in a small area, liquid nitrogen is carefully applied in order to destroy the diseased skin cells.
Depending upon what your doctor decides, the area may first be numbed through a local anesthetic before applying the liquid nitrogen.
After freezing, the dead tissue is removed.
It may take several visits in order for the warts to be completely remove all the infected tissue.
This treatment is often best when the areas are small, as the treatment is quick and effective.
Electrocautery A low voltage electrified probe works in genital warts removal by killing off the infected tissue.
The electricity burns the area, which is also numbed by a local anesthetic in order to help with any pain that might occur.
Once the problem areas are dead, they can be safely removed with very little blood loss as the blood vessels are sealed off upon application of the probe.
Healing time as well as pain and swelling may vary depending upon the size of the area that is treated.
If the treated area is large, your doctor may suggest a general anesthetic instead.
Laser Surgery Genital warts removal through laser surgery is similar to electrocautery, but instead uses a laser instead of low voltage electricity.
It can be used upon a small or a large infected area and your doctor will decide whether you should be administered a local or general anesthetic during the procedure.
The laser is a highly focused beam of light which will destroy the tissue and also reduces bleeding because it seals the area as it goes.
This can also help to reduce healing time.
Again, this is not a permanent solution and you may see the warts again after time has passed and may require additional treatments.
Excision If problem areas are numerous and you feel it is necessary to have a more drastic type of genital warts removal, excision may be a good choice.
Talk with your doctor to see if this type will work for you.
Excision means cutting away infected areas with a scalpel and is an outpatient procedure.
The area around the warts is numbed and the doctor then carefully cuts them out and uses sutures to seal the incisions.
Your recovery time can vary due to the location and amount of warts removed.
You may experience scarring after the procedure and the virus may cause new warts to appear as time goes by.
Topical Treatments A cheaper alternative to genital warts removal is to seek out an effective topical treatment.
There are several on the market that can help reduce or eradicate problem areas.
Using this method, you can apply your own medication in order to keep them from returning as opposed to taking several trips to the doctor for a more drastic treatment.
Talk to your doctor first and always make sure to read the directions as well as understand the possible side effects.
If you are pregnant, you should avoid using a topical treatment without speaking to your doctor first about your options.
They are caused by HPV, or the human papillomavirus virus.
The warts can have different appearances, from looking like flat white patches whereas others are bumpy clusters.
There are times when a person will not be able to see them at all.
They are located around the genitals and can cause itching, bleeding, and in some cases, lead to cervical cancer in women.
The virus can only spread through direct contact through sexual activities and can spread even if there are no visible symptoms.
Though there is no cure, there are several treatments that can help reduce their appearance or remove them completely.
Cryotherapy This genital warts removal involves freezing the affected areas, similar to freezing regular warts that appear on hands.
If they are growing in a small area, liquid nitrogen is carefully applied in order to destroy the diseased skin cells.
Depending upon what your doctor decides, the area may first be numbed through a local anesthetic before applying the liquid nitrogen.
After freezing, the dead tissue is removed.
It may take several visits in order for the warts to be completely remove all the infected tissue.
This treatment is often best when the areas are small, as the treatment is quick and effective.
Electrocautery A low voltage electrified probe works in genital warts removal by killing off the infected tissue.
The electricity burns the area, which is also numbed by a local anesthetic in order to help with any pain that might occur.
Once the problem areas are dead, they can be safely removed with very little blood loss as the blood vessels are sealed off upon application of the probe.
Healing time as well as pain and swelling may vary depending upon the size of the area that is treated.
If the treated area is large, your doctor may suggest a general anesthetic instead.
Laser Surgery Genital warts removal through laser surgery is similar to electrocautery, but instead uses a laser instead of low voltage electricity.
It can be used upon a small or a large infected area and your doctor will decide whether you should be administered a local or general anesthetic during the procedure.
The laser is a highly focused beam of light which will destroy the tissue and also reduces bleeding because it seals the area as it goes.
This can also help to reduce healing time.
Again, this is not a permanent solution and you may see the warts again after time has passed and may require additional treatments.
Excision If problem areas are numerous and you feel it is necessary to have a more drastic type of genital warts removal, excision may be a good choice.
Talk with your doctor to see if this type will work for you.
Excision means cutting away infected areas with a scalpel and is an outpatient procedure.
The area around the warts is numbed and the doctor then carefully cuts them out and uses sutures to seal the incisions.
Your recovery time can vary due to the location and amount of warts removed.
You may experience scarring after the procedure and the virus may cause new warts to appear as time goes by.
Topical Treatments A cheaper alternative to genital warts removal is to seek out an effective topical treatment.
There are several on the market that can help reduce or eradicate problem areas.
Using this method, you can apply your own medication in order to keep them from returning as opposed to taking several trips to the doctor for a more drastic treatment.
Talk to your doctor first and always make sure to read the directions as well as understand the possible side effects.
If you are pregnant, you should avoid using a topical treatment without speaking to your doctor first about your options.
It is important to remember that treatment is not the same as receiving a cure, so expect to see a genital wart (or several) later on in life.
You can still pass on the virus even when you do not have any visible symptoms.
A good first step is to try a topical treatment.
They do not cost as much as clinical procedures and can be just as effective in making problem areas disappear.