Definition
Sharp warts - otherwise called anogenital warts - are among the most common infectious sexually transmitted diseases: it is estimated, in fact, that at least half of sexually active people have suffered, at least once, from sharp warts. As the name of the disease suggests, genital warts take root in the private parts, creating irritation and swelling.
Causes
Just as it happens for warts localized in other places of the body, also the acuminate warts are due to a "viral infection (by the HPV virus). As we have seen, the transmission of viruses occurs through sexual contagion; however, some patients do not contract the infection after contact due to the effectiveness of the immune system, capable of killing the pathogen before it causes damage.
Symptoms
In men, acute condylomas occur at the level of the glans, urethral meatus, frenulum, shaft of the penis and balano-preputial sulcus; in women, on the other hand, the areas most involved are the vulva, the neck of the uterus and the vagina. Fortunately, warts are usually asymptomatic; they only rarely cause pain, irritation and itching.
- The possible - albeit minimal - evolution of the acuminate condyloma into a malignant form should not be underestimated: the subjects most at risk are AIDS patients, cancer patients and transplant recipients.
The information on Condyloma acuminata - Drugs for the treatment of condyloma acuminata is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Acuminate Warts - Drugs for the Treatment of Acuminate Warts.
Medicines
When the sharp warts do not create any disturbance, other than the aesthetic one, most likely the lesion disappears within a few days, without the need for specific treatment. Otherwise, that is to say when the condyloma acuminata creates irritation, discomfort, burning and pain in the genital area, a targeted treatment, pharmacological or surgical (in the most serious cases) is recommended.
In any case, it should be remembered that the permanence of sharp warts on the skin, even asymptomatic, requires a medical examination since, as analyzed, they could ideally evolve into a malignant form (eg cervical cancer in women).
Generally, the condyloma acuminata are easily treatable with the application of specific drugs, with immunomodulatory, antiproliferative and antiviral action.
Condylomas that are particularly resistant to drug treatments can be treated with alternative techniques:
- Electrocoagulation
- Cryotherapy
- Surgical excision
- Laser therapy
It is worth highlighting a further concept: the treatment of acute warts should not be understood as the simple elimination of the genital wart (symptomatic manifestation), rather as the removal of the virus (triggering cause); despite what has been said, fortunately, the vast majority of patients with genital warts test negative for viral DNA, therefore HPV does not create further damage.
Let's see in more detail the most suitable drugs in therapy
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against acute condyloma, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
- Imiquimod (eg Aldara cream 5%) the drug is an immunomodulatory substance, indicated both for the treatment of acute warts and for common warts. The drug is available in cream (250 mg sachets, containing 12.5 mg of active: imiquimod 5%): apply the product on the skin three times a week, for a maximum of 16 weeks. The suspension of the drug does not guarantee immunity from warts. The drug is also indicated for the treatment of tumors (eg superficial basal cell carcinoma).
- Interferon alfa 2-a (eg. Roferon-A, 3-6-9 MIU / 0.5 ml, Pegasys, Introna): the drug is injected into each lesion (condyloma acuminata), for a maximum of 5 lesions in one "single session." The application should be carried out three times a week, every other day, for a three-week cycle. Eventually, the treatment can be extended from 12 to 16 weeks. The injection must be made inside the anogenital wart (the subcutaneous injection, or the superficial injection of interferon must be avoided because they are useless for the purpose of healing).
- Trichloroacetic acid (eg Cl Tre): the drug is an exfoliating agent indicated for the treatment of dermatological lesions such as condyloma acuminata. The treatment with this active ingredient is chemical: only the doctor or a specialist can carry out this practice.
- 5-fluoro-uracil (eg. Fluorouracil): it is a chemotherapy drug (class: antimetabolites), also indicated for the treatment of cutaneous keratosis and acute condyloma. The drug is available in the form of a cream or solution: in general, the product should be applied to the skin 1-2 times a day, with the hands or with the special applicator. It is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly immediately after applying the product. product. Indicatively, the therapy should be continued for 2-4 weeks. Consult your doctor.
- Podophyllin resin: the active ingredient is often associated with salicylic acid for topical application, especially for anal and external genital warts. The drug is a substance capable of blocking cellular mitosis: when used to treat bacterial and viral infections, the drug is able to break down the infection. Respect the doses indicated by the doctor: an overdose can in fact create a "hypothetical systemic toxicity," with consequent damage to the gastrointestinal, renal and contral nervous system. Leave the product on the skin for no more than 6 hours: after this period of time, it is recommended to rinse the affected area. Consult your doctor. this drug is not allowed in Italy.
- Podophyllotoxin (eg Wartec Cream, Condyline): the drug is the most important active ingredient derived from podophyllin. It is indicated for the treatment of non-keratotic acute condyloma. The application of these substances directly in the injured area can generate an initial and mild irritation, generally reversible after the first applications. As a guide, apply the product on the condyloma acuminate, 2 times a day for 3 consecutive days. After this treatment, continue with one week off. You can repeat this alternation (3-day treatment + 7-day stop) for 5 cycles. Consult your doctor.
Precautions:
- In addition to the pharmacological treatment of acuminate warts, it is also recommended to undergo other diagnostic screening tests to search for additional possible sexually transmitted diseases.
- Since sharp warts are among the sexually transmitted diseases, it is recommended to always use condoms, especially in relationships with at-risk partners.
