Genital warts – little rough tumor on your skin in the genital area – can’t be self-treated, as they are considered to be sexually transmitted disease (Condyloma acuminatum or Verruca acuminate). As any other type of warts they are caused by a viral infection – HPV, human papillomavirus.
Why do you need to treat genital warts?
Sometimes warts can just go away without any care. But this is not the story with the genital warts. They even are treated differently. Any self-care at home won’t do in this case, and even can be dangerous. Only the doctor can help you to treat those warts, as after even the removal of the wart the virus can cause it appear again. Moreover, the size of the wart on man’s penis (or the scrotum) and woman’s vulva (or perineal area) can be rather big to disturb the person, or rather small for him or her to even notice it, but still dangerous to have. As the person with genital warts can carry the virus and infect healthy partner (through oral, vaginal or anal sex) and the person himself (herself) is under the risk of developing cancer of the penis or cervix if not treated. As genital warts are considered to be the most common sexually transmitted disease it is important to know whether you have HPV or not (it can be diagnosed by examining or special tests), especially when you are sexually active.
How can I get rid of genital warts?
There are lots of ways to remove your genital warts. Freezing or removing it with the laser are rather spread options to do it. Other method of removing includes actual “cutting out” of the wart and is called electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). If you are afraid of sharp instruments and surgeries you can use special chemicals that are applied to the infected area and dissolve the wart. But it may be painful as well. Another treatment of warts includes applying different substances that strengthen the immune response of your body so the body will fight the virus itself. Aldara is one of those kinds of substance that effectively deals with the problem.
How can Aldara help?
Aldara, or its generic name ‘imiquimod topical’, is an immune response modifier that treats different conditions and skin disorders, including external genital and perianal warts. It is not an ideal option and not a cure for the warts, but it effectively removes the lesions that are caused by HPV. Aldara’s active ingredients stimulate the production of cytokines in the body that in its turn strengthen the response of immune system.
What should I know while using Aldara as a treatment?
In is necessary to know that using Aldara do not keep you from infecting other people with virus through different types of sex. It also doesn’t keep you from different other sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, Chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, and others. It is better to avoid having sex while the time of treatment (even with condoms), as the substance can influence the rubber and other devices you may use as contraception. Avoid exposure to sunlight or any other sunlamps (as your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight that may result in sunburn). Be sure to use Aldara all the time your doctor prescribed you to for achieving the result. Do not use it when you are pregnant or planned to get pregnant and in case you are breastfeeding. You can treat genital warts with Aldara in person who are under 18 years old (under 12 is possible only after doctor’s approval).
How to use Aldara?
To achieve maximum effects and minimize other risks do the following:
- Wash the skin area on which you are planning to apply Aldara cream and allow it to dry
- Wash your hands as well
- Apply the cream on healthy skin (if it wounded or burned, wait until these conditions are gone) exactly as it is prescribed for you (not even for your partner)
- Rub it in your skin and allow it to dry as well
- Forget about nylon underwear
- Wash your hands after using the cream (so the cream won’t affect your hands, eyes, mouth, nose or any other area you can carry it with your hands)
- Wash the cream off after 6-10 hours (use water or mild soap)
- Some additional information: for uncircumcised penis – be sure you pull back the foreskin of it (if the wart is there), for vaginal warts – make sure the cream won’t go on inner layer of vaginal area (it can hurt or cause irritation)
- See what happens in some time of Aldara usage (any improvement, any reactions), in case of any changes visit your doctor for examination
The cream is ordinary used 3 times a week for about 4 months (according to your prescription). The best time is just before bedtime (so to wash the cream off right you are got up in the morning), and probably the best days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday (many people find weekends for the instructions to be harder to follow or even remember). Do not exceed the dose or period of treatment. Also, do not shorten the period of treatment, as the warts may disappear and in some time appear again (or even new lesions may develop). Use one packet for one use only (open right before the usage, not earlier); store it away from heat and moisture.
Aldara side effects
- Mild skin dryness
- Redness, irritations
- Hardening of the area the cream was used
- Changes of skin color on these areas
- Fever and other flue symptoms
- Sore throat and swollen glands
- Runny / stuffy nose
- Cough
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- Muscle pain, back ache
- Stomach upset
In case of overdosing Aldara you may experience severe skin irritations and fainting. More severe side effects include in rare cases different allergic reactions (as swelling of your face, lips, tongue, other parts; itching or burning) and bleeding of the skin in the treated area. Call your doctor if you notice any of these.
In conclusion
Aldara is a good effective option in treating genital warts. Of course, it is better not to have those warts at all than to treat them. But unfortunately, if you don’t see any warts on your partner, doesn’t necessarily mean he or she doesn’t have the HPV. The only way is having sex with a partner who doesn't have the virus and doesn’t have any other sexual partners except you.
Valentyna Ant.
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