An Insight into The Best Treatment for Genital Warts
Genital wart is a sexually transmitted disease that can occur at any age. In addition to oral, anal and genital sex, genital warts can also be contracted by direct contact with the infected area. It results in raised warts and rashes appearing in and around the genitals. It is caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus or HPV. Out of the 100 different types of papillomaviruses, about 40 cause genital warts. There are even a few types of dangerous HPVs that cause cervical cancer. In men, the warts can form clusters all over the genitalia; in women, they can spread from the cervix right to the womb.
From the time of infection, it can take the virus anywhere between a few months to a few years to break out into warts around the genitals, and occasionally around the mouth area. Common symptoms include appearance of painless abrasions around the genitalia, itching and discharge from the affected area. The body's natural response to the infection involves releasing a substance called interferon into the bloodstream that fights the virus. Though it is a very slow process, the body succeeds, to a certain extent, in controlling the virus. It may even eradicate the virus in a year or so. However, seeking medical help is advised.
Though there isn't yet a cure that is 100% successful and can be definitively called the best treatment for genital warts, there are quite a few available modes of treatment- Topical creams, cryosurgery and wart removal surgery. The best treatment depends on the severity and nature of the infection. Vaccination for HPV is available, and it actually works very well. However, it works 100% effectively only in women. It's effect on men is still under scrutiny. Whether it is the best treatment for genital warts, we will know once the research concludes. Various topical and surgical methods are discussed below.
Apart from the widely available topical medications like Wartrol, Dermisil and Wartover, Podofilox and Imiquimod are two well-known topical medications for Genital warts. While treatment with Imiquimod involves treating the affected area once a day, three times a week for up to 4 months, Podofilox has to be applied in cycles. It is applied twice a day, for three days followed by 4 days of non-application. The cycle is repeated for a month. Veregen (or Polyphenon E) is an ointment that has a higher success rate of wart clearance than other medicines. Even though clearance of warts in this method is found to be slower than other clinical drugs, it causes the least amount of irritation among the currently available drugs.
Cryosurgery is another method that involves freezing the warts to a very low temperature using liquid nitrogen. It is the safest mode of treatment for pregnant women. It is successful three out of four times, but sadly, the chances of the warts reappearing after 6 months are also high. Surgery is the best treatment for genital warts that have grown out of control and can't be eradicated by regular medication. Electro-cauterization is a mechanism similar to cryosurgery. It involves heating and destroying the infected tissue through zaps of electricity. Though scars and recovery time is a drawback, it is vastly more effective than cryosurgery in terms of avoiding recurrence.
From the time of infection, it can take the virus anywhere between a few months to a few years to break out into warts around the genitals, and occasionally around the mouth area. Common symptoms include appearance of painless abrasions around the genitalia, itching and discharge from the affected area. The body's natural response to the infection involves releasing a substance called interferon into the bloodstream that fights the virus. Though it is a very slow process, the body succeeds, to a certain extent, in controlling the virus. It may even eradicate the virus in a year or so. However, seeking medical help is advised.
Though there isn't yet a cure that is 100% successful and can be definitively called the best treatment for genital warts, there are quite a few available modes of treatment- Topical creams, cryosurgery and wart removal surgery. The best treatment depends on the severity and nature of the infection. Vaccination for HPV is available, and it actually works very well. However, it works 100% effectively only in women. It's effect on men is still under scrutiny. Whether it is the best treatment for genital warts, we will know once the research concludes. Various topical and surgical methods are discussed below.
Apart from the widely available topical medications like Wartrol, Dermisil and Wartover, Podofilox and Imiquimod are two well-known topical medications for Genital warts. While treatment with Imiquimod involves treating the affected area once a day, three times a week for up to 4 months, Podofilox has to be applied in cycles. It is applied twice a day, for three days followed by 4 days of non-application. The cycle is repeated for a month. Veregen (or Polyphenon E) is an ointment that has a higher success rate of wart clearance than other medicines. Even though clearance of warts in this method is found to be slower than other clinical drugs, it causes the least amount of irritation among the currently available drugs.
Cryosurgery is another method that involves freezing the warts to a very low temperature using liquid nitrogen. It is the safest mode of treatment for pregnant women. It is successful three out of four times, but sadly, the chances of the warts reappearing after 6 months are also high. Surgery is the best treatment for genital warts that have grown out of control and can't be eradicated by regular medication. Electro-cauterization is a mechanism similar to cryosurgery. It involves heating and destroying the infected tissue through zaps of electricity. Though scars and recovery time is a drawback, it is vastly more effective than cryosurgery in terms of avoiding recurrence.
Source...