How to treat itching and burning sensations around my anus due to genital warts?

Hello,

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As per the history and image (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), they appear as condyloma acuminatum, a medical term for genital warts. Genital warts are caused due to viral infection, particularly by HPV (human papillomavirus). They develop due to multiple factors, including, direct contact with an infected person, sexual transmission, sharing belongings with an infected individual, lowered immunity, and dietary and climatic factors. They may appear on and off and have a possibility of recurrences, and needs to be managed each time they appear. They present with itching, pain, burning sensation, and discomfort. Although there are medications to be applied, the best benefits are received with single-day procedures to help get rid of the lesions. I suggest you follow any one procedure of the following-

1. Radiofrequency cauterization is one of the easiest and most painless methods. In this procedure, the lesions are injected with local anesthetic or sometimes may only require topical anesthetic cream, and once they are numb, radiofrequency is used to burn the lesions gently till they are removed. It is a less time-consuming, single-day occipitoposterior position procedure that is affordable and done by a dermatologist at his clinic.

2. Cryotherapy, in this method, liquid nitrogen is sprayed on the affected lesion once or twice, and this causes the lesion to freeze and eventually fall off within a few days. They may be slightly painful following the procedure and depend on individuals and their threshold. This is a relatively affordable, less time-consuming, single-day occipitoposterior position procedure and is done in a dermatologist's clinic.

3. Laser therapy for wart removal. Erbium lasers are used under topical anesthesia to burn the painless lesions, and it is slightly expensive but is a single-day procedure done using laser technique.

For the above procedures, kindly consult a dermatologist in person to undergo the procedure. Most often, following the procedure, your doctor may prescribe you topical antibiotic creams for faster healing.

4. Aldara 5 % cream (Imiquimod) may also be used. This cream is very strong and may cause skin irritation and is therefore avoided in the skin that is too sensitive. The procedures mentioned above for removing warts are the best method compared to the usage of this cream. However, when using this medication, apply petroleum jelly around the lesions to prevent the cream from touching the unaffected skin areas. Apply the cream in the smallest quantity possible on the lesion alone, at night three times a week. They may cause stinging, irritation, and redness. In the morning, wash the area well. Avoid the cream from contacting unaffected skin, fingers, and other parts of your body. Make sure to wear gloves while applying. This cream is very strong, and therefore it should be avoided in case of sensitive skin. This medication is not recommended in case of warts appearing too close to mucosal areas of genital parts or near sensitive areas.

5. Tablet Ascazin (Zinc acetate) 50 mg twice daily after breakfast and dinner for two months. It contains Zinc acetate, which helps prevent a recurrence. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with them and take medications with their consent.

6. Make sure to notify your sexual partner, if any, regarding the lesion and use protection during sexual activities.

7. Make sure close contacts, if infected, are treated as well to avoid recurrences.

Genital warts may appear on and off, and maintaining immunity and avoiding frequent interactions with an infected individual may help reduce the chances of recurrences to a limit. Kindly consult a dermatologist in person for undergoing the procedures as they are preferred compared to the cream as the cream is strong and may cause irritation if not used with caution. Apart from the same, HPV vaccinations are also available to prevent further infections. Kindly make sure to take them, as they may help prevent complications. There are multiple types of vaccines available based on age group. Although most of them are provided at a young age, there are vaccines for other age groups.

Thank you.