Genital warts are gray or flesh-coloured growths around the private or genital parts of the male or female. They are also known as venaral warts or condylomata acumemata. Typically, they are found in the areas around the penis, anus, scrotum, vagina or vulva. People falling between the age group of 17 and 33 are more prone to this disease. Genital warts cause itching, burning sensation, and prickling, particularly during sexual intercourse.
In some cases, genital warts are difficult to diagnose as they hardly cause pain and are extremely small. Warts are caused by slow-acting viruses, called Human Papilloma Virus or HPV, through anal, oral or vaginal intercourse. Hence, genital warts are sexually transmitted disease (STD) of substantial concern. Genital warts are highly contagious.
Symptoms of Genital Warts
There are certain symptoms and indications that can be spotted to identify whether a person is suffering from genital warts or not, and how severe they are.
- Growth of painless blisters or lump on the skin and mucus membrane on the genital area.
- They can be in varied sizes, small or big and can be either single or clustered.
- Warts can cause prickling, itching and in some cases, discharge can be seen.
- Genital warts hardly cause any bleeding or difficulty while urinating. It can happen only in the case of warts grown on the urethral opening, which causes a burning sensation.
- Warts are sometimes so small that they get hide by genital hair or arise in the internal genital areas such as the cervix. A thorough internal check-up is advised in these cases so as to avoid further infection.
- Warts, in women, may cause bleeding after sexual intercourse. However, it depends on their location.
- Genital warts may also be a result of previous sexual transmitted disease.
- Several other uncommon warning signs of genital warts are itching of the scrotum and penis, vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, and extreme dampness in the genital areas.
- They can even spread to the tongue, lips and throat.
Causes of Genital Warts
The main causes of genital warts are:
- Human Papilloma Virus or HPV
- Sexual intercourse with an infected person
- Higher use of birth control pills
- Having sex at an early age
- Sexual contact without the use of barrier or protection
- Using objects infected by HPV, such as bedcovers or towels.
How to Get Rid of Genital Warts?
There are various natural and homemade remedies to cure HPV genital warts, which can be applied on the person, suffering from this sexually transmitted disease. Homeopathic treatment is also available for this ailment.
Home Remedies for Genital Warts
1. Tea Tree Oil
The treatment of genital warts can be done by simply applying tea tree oil through a cotton ball over the warts. Repeat this once a day for ten days. The wart will gradually turn white and fall off.
Note: The application of tea tree oil will cause a minor harsh sensation, which is normal.
2. Vitamin C
Some warts an also be treated with the Vitamin C. Take a Vitamin C tablet and crush it. Mix it with few drops of water and apply it directly to the genital warts. Remember to cover the warts with a bandage for one day. This process will destroy the Papilloma virus, which is the main cause of genital warts.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar is an effective measure to remove genital warts. Direct application of ACV helps in removing the dead and dry cells. For more effective results, soak the cotton ball in ACV and keep it on the warts. Cover it with an adhesive tape. Remove it after a few hours. Repeat it daily till the warts fall off.
4. Garlic
Because of its antiviral properties, garlic is considered as a feasible treatment for the genital warts. The treatment regime of garlic may include raw garlic or garlic in capsulated form. Crush raw garlic. Then, apply it on the affected part and wrap with a bandage for a day or two. You can also consume garlic in capsulated form. This is a natural treatment to get rid of genital warts.
5. Onion
Put sliced onions on the genital warts and cover with a bandage or gauze. The onion props up the blood flow in the body. You can also use onion juice. For this, sprinkle some salt on the onion slices and leave them overnight. Extract the juice in the morning. Apply the extracted juice on the genital warts. Onion works as an anti-microbial agent and salt works as an antiseptic.
6. Vitamin E Oil or Castor Oil
Vitamin E oil or castor oil can also be applied on genital warts to get rid of HPV infection.
For best results, rub the affected part of genitalia with Vitamin E oil and then, cover it with crushed garlic.
7. Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal bath is an effective method of relieving the sufferer from the uneasiness and itchiness of genital warts. Soak finely powdered oatmeal in a bucket of hot water. Take a bath with this water. It is one of the effective natural treatments for curing genital warts at home.
8. Milkweed Sap
The creamy liquid of the milkweed plant is supposed to be a useful and harmless cure for treating genital warts at home. The sap of the milkweed can be extracted by cutting the stem of the milkweed plant. The sap is directly applied on the genital warts, which reduces the growth of the pathogen that in turn paces the process of the healing process of the affected parts of the genitalia.
9. Licorice Root
The Licorice root is crushed and then applied on genital warts, either directly or by tying on the infected area. This is a popular natural treatment for removing genital warts.
10. Willow Tree Bark
The bark of the willow tree is regarded to be an efficient natural remedy for removing the genital warts. The inner part of the willow tree bark is humidified to achieve the required level of elasticity. The moistened tree bark is applied to the genital warts and held in place with the use of bandage or gauze.
11. Thuja
According to a scientific report on the official website of the San Francisco Botanical Medicine, Thuja has potential therapeutic values and healing properties to cure genital warts. It is a powerful herb in treating this sexually transmitted viral infection. The direct application of the Thuja oil on the affected part of the genitalia provides a great relief.
12. Duct Tape
This over-the-top treatment is again a natural home remedy to get rid of the genital warts. A strip of duct tape is used to wrap the genital warts, which is removed after six days. Repeat this procedure until the genital wart disappears entirely.
13. Alcohol
Rubbing of alcohol also proves to be an effective natural remedy to cure genital warts. However, it takes almost a week or a month in treating the warts this way as it highly depends on the size of the warts.
14. Transparent Nail Paint
Apply clear nail paint in the morning and before going to bed, on the warts. The warts will fall off within a week or two.
15. Baking Soda
Take a spoonful of castor oil. Add baking soda to it for preparing a thick paste. Apply this paste on the affected area and cover with a bandage.
16. Aloe Vera Juice
Directly apply aloe vera juice on the genital warts. Apply it regularly. This remedy will dissolve the warts naturally.
Homeopathic Treatment for Genital Warts
Besides some of these homemade remedies, homeopathic treatment can also be taken, which is also a holistic system of medication. There are several well-proved medicines, which can be consumed after properly knowing the underlying causes, modalities, etc. of the affected area. Some of the medicines, which are helpful in treating genital warts are Causticum, Antim crud, Kali Mur, Magnesia Sulph, Nitric Acid, Sabina, and Nat. Carb. Compound W, which is a type of salicylic acid, is also a good remedy. You can directly apply Compound W on HPV warts.
Preventive Measures
Since genital warts are contagious, you must take care to prevent the infection. Some of the measures are as follows:
- Avoid sexual intercourse with multiple partners.
- While intercourse, use contraception barrier method.
- Keep the genital area dry and clean.
- Wear cotton undergarments to prevent excessive sweating and increase air circulation in the genital region.
- Don’t touch, pick or squeeze the warts.