Unlike common warts, which can be treated with over-the-counter antiwart solutions, genital warts must be treated by a physician.
A physician's choices include caustic topic treatments such as salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and podophyllin. Physicians have additional, more precise modes of removing facial or genital warts including physical destruction: cryotherapy (freezing them), electrocautery, laser vaporization, or surgical removal, and a topical chemicals such as 5-fluorouracil and podophyllotoxin. In most cases, cryotherapy is the initial treatment of choice.
Why Can't I Just Ignore Them?
If you have genital warts you also have a much higher risk of contracting herpes, HIV, or syphilis, as well as certain forms of cervical and penile cancer. All sexually active females, but in particular those with genital warts, should have a yearly Pap smear to detect very early cancerous changes in the cervix. When it comes to cancer, remember that early detection is lifesaving.
