Anal warts are contagious and transmitted through sex. It is caused by viral infection and anal warts are considered to be the most commonly transmitted sexual disease. Anal warts are common in both men and women and they occur on the respective genitals. Warts are small fleshy structures that are either hairy or non-hairy. Anal warts can be removed by freezing it or burning it through chemicals.
Anal Warts Causes :
Anal warts also known as genital warts are caused by HPV (Human Papllilomavirus). It gets transmitted through direct skin contact or sexual contact from the infected person.
Mode of Transmission :
Anal warts are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Close skin contact is necessary for getting warts from infected person. Apart from sex, one can get warts by sharing sex toys. In rare cases, warts are passed from the mother to the infant before delivery. Not all the people infected with HPV gets anal warts. They remain as carriers and pass it on to partner without their knowledge. It might take many days or even months for the person to develop warts after receiving the infection. HPV can still remain in your body for months. There are many people who remain as carriers after getting infected and without developing warts.
Anal Warts Symptoms :
- Genital warts develop on the outermost skin of the penis in men. In women they are seen as tiny flesh colored lesions on the vulva. Sometimes these warts are formed around the anus region in both sexes. In rare cases, women can get anal warts inside the cervix or vagina and even inside the anus.
- Warts look like soft lumps when they develop on the moist skin and they are hard lesions when they develop on the dry skin. Warts either occur alone or in clusters. Generally anal warts will not cause any discomfort. In rare cases they may cause irritation and pain while having sex.
Tests :
Anal warts can be detected by physical exam of the anus by your doctor. No special test is needed to diagnose warts. However your doctor would recommend taking swab test by removing sample tissue from the genitals to detect any infection.
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Anal Warts :
Anal Warts Treatment :
Anal warts can be treated by several methods. Never attempt to remove genital warts on your own since it may worsen the condition and cause bleeding. Often, anal warts disappear after few months without any treatment. Chemicals can be applied on the warts which is effective in drying it off. Podophyllotoxin is prescribed for treating warts. You can apply this cream directly on the warts twice a day for 3-5 days. Avoid having sex while you are using this chemical.
Alternatively imiquimod ointment can also be used for removing warts. For removing large sized warts your doctor may use freezing therapy with liquid nitrogen which would wither off the wart tissue. Electrocautering is another process in which warts are burned with mild electric current applied directly on it through special instrument. Laser therapy can also be used for burning warts. Anal warts can recur after some time on the same person. Women can go for regular screening to check for the presence of warts. Avoid having sex once you are diagnosed with warts and abstain from sex until the warts completely withers off.