What are the possible treatment options for genital warts?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have genital warts, which I noticed a few months ago. Unfortunately, I do not know anything about the treatment. Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

As per the history provided from your end, genital warts are a viral infection caused by the Human papillomavirus virus ( HPV), which are considered to be appearing due to multiple factors, including changes in immunity. They may be sexually transmitted through direct skin contact with an infected person or sharing of belongings. They present in multiple patterns, including skin tags like small lesions to cauliflower-shaped larger lesions or flat-topped hyperpigmented or skin-colored lesions. Genital warts may take weeks but sometimes even months or years to appear and may remain asymptomatic. They are not dangerous; however, they may spread fast and increase in size with symptoms like discomfort, itching, pain, and bleeding. They may also keep appearing on and off over months or years, which is also manageable with treatments. My suggestions:

Tablet Zinc acetate 50 mg is to be taken twice daily in the morning and night after food for one month. After that, consult a specialist doctor, discuss with them, and take medications with their consent.
Electrocautery is a procedure done by a dermatologist where the lesions are gently burned.
Avoid unprotected sex. Notify your sexual partner, if any, about the same and advise them to get treated.

Kindly consult a doctor in person for HPV vaccination to prevent reinfections with a different strain. Apart from the above treatments, Aldara (Imiquimod) 5 % cream may also be used. However, this cream is very strong and may cause skin irritation. Apply the cream in the smallest quantity possible on the lesion alone, at night, three times a week. It 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 during application. I would also like to request you to provide an image of the affected area for further assessment, confirmatory diagnosis, and management.