Is it possible for genital warts to heal on their own without special medicine?

Warts can appear on sensitive areas, such as the genitals. Suddenly having warts on your genitals will make you panic and feel anxious. Actually, genital warts can heal on their own, right, like other warts?

Can genital warts heal on their own?

Genital warts are a venereal disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Mostly, genital warts can heal on their own without the need for special treatment.

However, still, untreated genital warts may multiply and spread anywhere. Genital warts appear as pink bumps or tender flesh around the genitals and are usually more sensitive to the touch.

Although HPV cannot be cured, genital warts can be treated. However, it is impossible to get rid of warts forever. That's because genital warts are just a symptom of HPV, which is a chronic, lifelong infection. Even with treatment, warts can come back at a later date.

How long does it take for genital warts to heal?

For some people, genital warts can go away on their own or without treatment within two years or more. However, with certain treatments, genital warts can heal faster. Untreated warts tend to come back sooner.

If you use a special cream, it may take several months for genital warts to heal. Also, genital warts go away faster with surgical procedures.

Warts may not appear until several weeks or months after infection. In some cases, genital warts can take years to develop.

HPV virus infection can occur around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, in the groin or thigh area, or in the penis or scrotum. HPV can also cause warts on your throat, tongue, mouth, or lips.

With treatment, genital warts can heal and prevent health complications that HPV may cause, as well as relieve pain, itching, and irritation, reduce the risk of spreading HPV, and get rid of warts that are difficult to clean.

What are the treatments for genital warts?

Topical cream

A doctor can prescribe a topical cream, or recommend a variety of over-the-counter medications. However, over-the-counter medications for common warts cannot treat genital warts.

Genital wart creams include:

Sinecatechin

This cream is made from green tea extract and is prescribed to manage external and anal genital warts. Apply this cream to the affected skin area three times a day for up to four months.

Sinecatechins are very effective, and most people take them well. Side effects may include a burning sensation, pain, itching, and redness.

Imiquimod

Imiquimod works to get rid of external genital warts and has also been used to treat several skin cancers. Apply the ointment directly to the wart at least 3 days a week for up to 4 months.

Imiquimod can also help to boost a person's immune system, encouraging it to fight HPV infection. However, studies have shown it is effective in more than 50 percent of people. Also, women observe complete wart disappearance more frequently than men.

Side effects can include redness or swelling in the area, a burning sensation, itching, peeling or dull skin

Cryotherapy

This involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze genital warts. Nitrogen causes blisters to form around each wart, and the warts will fade as the blisters heal.

Cryotherapy is a quick and effective solution, although many people require multiple treatments to maintain results over time.

Side effects of cryotherapy may include pain, swelling around the genitals, and a mild burning sensation.

Electrodication

In this procedure, a surgeon burns genital warts with an electric current. The dry tissue is then scraped off, leaving the person wart-free.

A person will usually receive general anesthesia. The healing time can take between 4 and 6 weeks.

Electrodication is considered very effective. Controlled trials have reported that up to 94 percent of people receiving this treatment are wart-free after 6 weeks.

Side effects may include bleeding, infection, scarring, and skin discoloration.

Laser surgery

A surgeon also performs this procedure, using a laser beam to burn the tissue. A person will usually receive local or general anesthesia, depending on the number and size of the warts.

A doctor may recommend laser surgery when the wart is difficult to access, difficult to treat by other means, spreads, and is prominent.

Recovery is expected to take about 4 weeks. Side effects of laser surgery may include bleeding, scarring, pain, tenderness and irritation in the area.

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