HOW DO DERMATOLOGISTS DIAGNOSE GENITAL WARTS?
Many people feel too embarrassed to seek medical help for growths in their genital area, but it is important to see a doctor or dermatologist to rule out any serious conditions and to get peace of mind. A dermatologist can usually diagnose Best Genital warts treatment by examining them during an office visit. In some cases, the dermatologist may remove a wart or part of it to send it to a laboratory for further testing. This can confirm the diagnosis of genital warts.
HOW DO DERMATOLOGISTS TREAT GENITAL WARTS?
While some genital warts may clear without treatment, there are several benefits to seeking treatment to remove them, such as:
- -Lowered risk of spreading the virus
- -Relief from any pain and itching
- -Confirmation that growths are genital warts and not cancer
- -Removal of warts that can be difficult to keep clean
If you have genital warts, it is best to see a dermatologist. Over-the-counter wart medicines are not effective for treating genital warts and may cause side effects.
Dermatologists have many different treatments available for genital warts, and will consider factors such as the number of warts, where they are located, and your overall health before choosing the best option for you.
Treatment may involve a procedure in the dermatologist’s office or a topical medicine. Different treatments for genital warts include:
- Topical creams or ointments
- Freezing (cryotherapy)
- Laser treatment
- Cautery (burning)
- Surgery
Your dermatologist will usually prescribe medications for you to apply to the genital warts at home, which include:
- Podofilox – for external warts; helps stop the wart cells from growing
- Imiquimod – boosts the body’s immune system so it can fight HPV
- Green tea extract ointment – for external warts and warts around the helps soothe and heal
There are several procedures a dermatologist may perform during an office visit to treat warts, including:
- Cryosurgery: This involves freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen.
- Excision: The warts are cut out during this procedure.
- Electrocautery: This procedure uses an electric current to destroy the warts.
- Laser treatment: Laser light is used to destroy the warts in this procedure.
If other treatments have failed to get rid of genital warts, your doctor may inject interferon, an antiviral medication, into the warts. This treatment is usually only used as a last resort. As with any treatment, there are potential side effects that you should discuss with your dermatologist before proceeding. There is also the possibility that even if the visible warts are removed, the virus remains and the warts could return.
