Banish Your Warts!

Certainly, no one wants to live with genital warts. There are a number of different treatment options to deal with genital warts. These treatment choices depend on the size and location of the warts. Unfortunately, some of these treatments will take as long as three months to work. Sometimes, even with the treatment, the genital warts will return. However, despite this difficulty, it is certainly worth while to use a treatment method to try to get rid of the genital warts.

One option for treatment is to use chemical treatments, solutions and creams. These are less invasive than surgery or freezing techniques.

Podophyllin

Poddophyllin is a chemical treatment that comes from a plant extract. It is applied directly to the infected area. It stops warts from growing by interfering with the growth process of the body's skin cells. This is not a treatment that can be done by the infected person, but must be applied by a trained healthcare professional. In addition to the Podophyllin, a petroleum jelly is usually applied to the skin near the warts to prevent irritation or burns. After it is put on, it is left there for four hours and then washed off so that it doesn't burn the skin. This treatment is usually done at a clinic several times over 2-3 weeks. It is only used for external warts. Side effects can include severe skin irritation, dizziness, confusion and damage to the nervous system. If it isn't working after a few weeks, another treatment is necessary. This treatment is not safe for use when pregnant. Unfortunately, studies have shown that the general recurrence of the warts with this treatment is between 40-60%.

Podophyllotixin

Podophyllotoxin is safe to use on your own and does not require that you have it done at a clinic. It does not need to be washed off. It is for small external warts only and is available with a prescription. It is usually applied twice a day for three days. Following this, the patient has four days without using the medicine. If there isn't a noticeable difference in the size of the warts at this point, the patient can do the three day on - four day off treatment for up to four weeks. Side effects may include soreness and mild skin irritation. This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. There is a huge range of recurrent rates with statistics showing anything from 10-90% recurrence!

Trichloroacetic Acid

Trichloroacetic acid works quickly and has no long term side effects. It actually burns away the warts and needs to be applied by a healthcare professional. Using Vaseline may help to protect the skin as the medicine is applied. It's possible to feel a burning sensation for 5 to 10 minutes while the acid is destroying the warts. It has not yet been determined whether this medicine is safe to use while pregnant. Warts have been found to recur in about 35% of people treated with TCA.

Imiquimod

This is a pretty new treatment method for warts that works to stimulate the body's immune system to fight off the warts. It comes as a cream and is applied by the patient directly to the area in need. It does not work to boost your entire immune system, but only to boost the affected area. It can take up to four months to work. It is used three times a week and needs to be washed off after 6-10 hours. Side effects include skin irritation. If the patient experiences severe skin reactions, you should stop taking it and see your doctor. It should not be used during pregnancy. The recurrence is low at 13-20%. Additional studies need to be done, however, to confirm these numbers.

These topical treatments are all options for people with genital warts. Your doctor will recommend whether these are good options in your situation. It is certainly important to meet with a doctor to get advice about genital wart treatment and to decide what the best method would be for your treatment.