Overview of effective treatments for acute condylomas

Today, only symptomatic treatment of genital warts is possible (including surgical solutions to problems with genital warts), since the cause of the development of this pathology is infection with HPV - human papillomavirus types 6 and 11 - the most common viral infection of the genital tract.

Most sexually active women and men will become infected with HPV at some point, but nearly 90% of warts will clear up on their own within about two years. However, there are many cases of warts recurring.

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Treatment methods for genital warts

The appearance and growth of genital warts, as a rule, occurs without pronounced symptoms, however, depending on the size and location - on the skin and mucous membranes of the anogenital and perianal areas (cervix, vagina, scrotum, penis, urethra, perineum) - they can cause discomfort, itching and even pain.

Available treatments for genital warts may shrink or remove the warts, but they do not appear to eradicate HPV itself, as warts often recur within months of treatment. And it remains unclear whether the treatment can reduce the likelihood of transmission. This is what sometimes forces doctors to resort to an alternative solution: abandoning treatment and waiting for the wart to disappear spontaneously.

As clinical experience shows, the most effective treatment for pointed condylomas located on mucous membranes or in areas of high humidity is local treatment. Although many patients - with multiple lesions and a significant area of papillomavirus damage - are better off using radical methods: surgical removal of condylomas (tangential excision), removal by electrocoagulation, liquid nitrogen, laser or radio waves.

The main options for local drug treatment include such ointments for genital warts as: podophyllum ointment, Podofilox gel (Condilox), Imiquimod cream (Aldara, Zinara, Cyclara), Veregen ointment. Also used are 10-25% podophyllin tincture on benzoin, and for chemical destruction (destruction) of warts - trichloroacetic acid.

Treatment of genital warts at home

To remove visible and accessible genital warts, as prescribed by a doctor, you can independently treat genital warts at home - apply the recommended ointment, cream or solution to them.

Thus, an antimitotic drug based on alkaloids of the rhizomes of the plant podophyllum peltatum - Podofilox (0.5% solution or gel) should be applied for three days in a row twice a day (the total amount per day is no more than 0.5 ml). After that, a break is taken for 4 days. If necessary, this cycle can be carried out 4 times, while the total area of the treated surface should not exceed 10 sq. cm. The drug can cause local irritation and pain; Podofilox is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

In the same way, pointed condylomas are treated with solutions based on the above-mentioned plant - 10-25% benzoin solution of Podophyllin, Podophyllotoxin, Vartek, Condylin.

Imiquimod cream works by activating the immune system by increasing the production of interferon-α, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor TNF-α. In addition, clinical trials have shown that when this drug is applied to the skin, it activates Langerhans epithelial cells, which migrate to local lymph nodes, increasing the synthesis of killer cells, macrophages and B-lymphocytes.

Imiquimod should be applied once daily before bedtime, three times a week until the warts disappear or for 4 months. The area should be washed with soap and water 8-10 hours after each application. Side effects of this drug include local reactions such as swelling, blisters, burning, redness and ulceration of the skin; dry skin and itching; crusting or scabbing. Systemic reactions may include fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, fatigue.

Veregen ointment with active catechins of green tea extract is applied three times a day by smearing a thin layer on the condyloma (the ointment can be applied with a finger). This drug is allowed to be used for no longer than 16 weeks. The most common side effects of the drug are erythema, itching, burning, pain, ulceration, swelling, induration and vesicular rash.

Treatment of genital warts in a medical facility

The above-mentioned ointments and creams are used in medical institutions in cases of intravaginal, intraanal and intraurethral localization of genital warts.

The doctor also performs chemical removal of anogenital warts using an 80-90% solution of trichloroacetic acid or an aqueous solution of dichloroacetic acid salts. Their cauterizing effect on condyloma tissue leads to protein coagulation and cell necrosis.

Since the solutions of these acids are quite toxic, have low viscosity and penetrate the skin, they should be used in minimal quantities, and the procedure itself requires great care - so as not to damage the surrounding tissue. If necessary, this procedure can be repeated again - in a week.

Condylomas can be cauterized with lapis (silver nitrate) and salicylic-resorcinol collodion. Due to its low efficiency, doctors do not recommend using Solcoderm.

Treatment of genital warts with folk remedies

Given the viral and highly contagious nature of the disease, treatment of genital warts with folk remedies is also aimed at cauterizing the wart and in no way guarantees getting rid of the virus. So it is unlikely to be of any use if you drink decoctions of medicinal plants (there are such folk recipes).

Most often, it is recommended to lubricate the condylomas daily for at least 1-1.5 months with either celandine juice, or garlic gruel, or raw egg white; make compresses with a concentrated solution of baking soda, a decoction or infusion of succession, St. John's wort, plantain.

Many people recommend trying to treat pointed condylomas with iodine – by cauterizing twice a day (morning and evening); as well as lemon juice, essential oil of fir, juniper or cypress.

However, doctors advise not to forget about the viral etiology of this disease and to entrust the treatment of genital warts to professionals - dermatologists.