The Best Treatments for Removing & Preventing Genital Warts

Finding a genital wart can be a bit unnerving, but they’re more common than you may think. These small bumps are benign tumors caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Although harmless, genital warts do need to be treated right away (especially if you don’t want them to spread to your partner). Asking a doctor for a prescription treatment you can do at home may be the best way to find fast relief.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Applying Prescription Treatments

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    Visit your doctor if you experience itching, burning and pain. If your genital warts cause you too much discomfort to go untreated, visit your doctor. Ask them if there are any prescription treatments that can relieve your pain and itching. Describe your symptoms clearly and answer any questions that your doctor may have so they can recommend the best treatment.[1]
    • Your doctor should be able to diagnose your genital warts by looking at them. They may be flat or raised and singular or in clusters. They may be flesh-colored, pink, or brown.
    • To diagnose genital warts, your doctor may also apply an acetic acid solution to your genitals to make warts visible by whitening them.
    • Your doctor may have you take a pregnancy test if you are a woman because there are some treatments that are not recommended during pregnancy. Your doctor will have to freeze or surgically remove the warts if you are pregnant.
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    Apply podophyllotoxin (Podofilox) solution, gel, or cream twice daily for 3 days. Use soap and water to wash your hands and the area that needs to be treated. Pat the skin is dry with a clean towel. Then, apply the medicine with a cotton swab or your finger. Only use the amount recommended by your doctor or pharmacist. Wait for 4 days after treating the area or as instructed by your doctor. You may need to repeat the treatment until the warts clear, which could take 4 to 5 weeks.[2]
    • Ask your healthcare provider to apply the first treatment so that you can see how it should be done.
    • You can repeat this treatment for up to 4 cycles.
    • Podofilox can cause mild skin irritation in some cases.
    • Do not use this treatment if you are pregnant.
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    Use a 5% Imiquimod cream three times a week at bedtime. Your doctor will likely prescribe Imiquimod, a cream that stimulates the production of chemicals in the body that strengthen your immune response. Apply the cream to your affected skin with a clean finger or cotton swab in a thin layer. Do this before bed 3 times per week for up to 16 weeks. Ideally, apply the cream at night and wash it off in the morning, 6-10 hours later.[3]
    • Side effects include redness, blisters, body aches or pain, cough, rashes, and fatigue.
    • Wash off the cream with water and a mild soap.
    • Continue the treatment for up to 16 weeks, or until the lesions are gone.
    • Keep in mind that Imiquimod can weaken condoms and vaginal diaphragms.
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    Apply Sinecatechins 15% ointment 3 times a day. Sinecatechin is a green-tea extract prescribed as a home treatment for genital warts.[4] Apply this ointment 3 times a day using a clean finger, ensuring that you spread a very thin layer on your skin for up to 16 weeks. This treatment should not be washed off.
    • Side effects include reddening of the skin, itching or burning, and pain that are often mild.
    • Redness, itching, and burning are the most common side effects.
    • Sexual contact should be avoided while this ointment is on your skin.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Shortening Healing Time

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    Quit smoking to improve your body's healing power. Many prescription treatments for genital warts work more effectively on non-smokers than on smokers. Smoking can worsen your overall health and reduce your body's ability to heal quickly. Ask your doctor about the best smoking cessation plan for you, which may include nicotine replacement therapy or medication.[5]
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    Avoid sex while your genital warts are still healing. Oral, genital, and anal sexual contact can irritate affected skin, slowing down your recovery time. Avoid any sexual activity until your genital warts are entirely healed. This will also prevent you from spreading the virus to your partner.[6]
    • Wear a condom during sex for the first 3 months after your genital warts clear up as the virus may still be active in your skin cells.
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    Use mild, unscented soap and lotion to avoid irritating your skin. Perfumed soaps, bath oils, creams, and lotions can irritate already sensitive skin. This will slow down the time it takes for genital warts to heal. To avoid this problem, use only mild soap when bathing, and unscented body lotions or creams.[7]
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    Keep the skin clean and dry between bath or showers. Moisture and bacteria can impede the healing of your genital warts. To speed up the recovery process, make sure to keep the affected area clean by washing it regularly with mild soap and water. Dry the area thoroughly by patting it with a clean towel.[8]
    • If your skin is very sensitive, let it air dry thoroughly before getting dressed.
    • Do not clean the area more than 4 times a day.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Preventing Genital Warts and Other STDs

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    Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine.[9] HPV is an easily-transmitted STD that can cause genital warts and other problems. To avoid getting HPV, talk to your doctor about getting the HPV vaccine. Your doctor will tell you what brand of the vaccine is best for you.[10]
    • The HPV vaccine can also lower your risk of cervical cancer.
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    Use condoms or dental dams during sexual contact. To avoid getting an STD like genital warts, wear protection during oral, anal, and vaginal sex.[11] Purchase condoms and dental dams from pharmacies, convenience stores, or online. You can also get them from community health centers, Planned Parenthood centers, or doctor’s offices.[12]
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    Discuss STDs with your partner before engaging in sexual activity. Start a non-judgemental conversation about genital warts and other STDs before having sex with a new partner. Knowing if your partner has an STD will allow you to take extra precautions. Make sure that you are on the same page about using protection during sex.[13]
    • Avoid sex with partners who refuse to use protection or discuss STDs.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

When to Seek Medical Attention

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    Get medical attention if you have an adverse reaction to medication. If you’re prescribed a cream or you treat your genital warts with over the counter cream and you have a negative reaction, you could be allergic to an ingredient in the cream. Go to an emergency room or visit an urgent care clinic to make sure the reaction isn’t serious.
    • Mild burning or stinging can be normal for some treatments.
    • A rash that spreads and is painful or itchy could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
    • Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: wheezing or difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, nausea, and vomiting.
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    Contact your doctor if you become pregnant. If you’re taking medication to treat your genital warts and you become pregnant, you need to talk to your doctor. You may need to stop taking or change medications to prevent harming your baby.[14]
    • As soon as you find out you're pregnant, contact your doctor.
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    Talk to your doctor if you develop more warts. If your warts don’t get any better and start to multiply, tell your doctor. They may change your medication or try different treatment options.[15]
    • Genital warts that continue to spread could be a symptom of a deeper problem with your immune system.
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    See your doctor if a wart is painful or bleeding. If you have a wart that is painful or bleeding, you need to see a doctor to make sure it doesn’t get infected. An infection in your groin could lead to serious health problems.[16]
    • Look for pus oozing or red streaks in the skin surrounding a wart. These are surefire signs of an infection.
    • Pain or sensitivity in the skin around a wart could be a sign of infection as well.
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    Ask your doctor about prescription treatment for your warts. If home remedies aren’t helping you get rid of your genital warts, talk to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe stronger medication that can get rid of your warts. There are different options that they can try.[17]
    • For example, a doctor can freeze the warts with liquid nitrogen to remove them.
    • There are creams that can get rid of genital warts that need to be prescribed by a doctor.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355240
  2. ↑ https://patient.info/medicine/podophyllotoxin-for-anogenital-warts-condyline-warticon
  3. ↑ https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/1215/p2335.html
  4. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/genital-warts-treatment
  5. ↑ https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/HT/HT_genitalwarts.html
  6. ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/genital-warts/how-can-i-prevent-getting-or-spreading-genital-warts
  7. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy/
  8. ↑ https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/HT/HT_genitalwarts.html
  9. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv/public/index.html
  1. ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv/should-i-get-hpv-vaccine
  2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/genital-warts-treatment
  3. ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom/how-do-i-get-condoms
  4. ↑ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/genital-warts/how-can-i-prevent-getting-or-spreading-genital-warts
  5. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/genital-warts/
  6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/symptoms-causes/syc-20355234
  7. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/genital-warts/
  8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355240

About This Article

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Medically reviewed by:
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 2,138,547 times.
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Co-authors: 48
Updated: March 3, 2023
Views: 2,138,547
Categories: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

If your genital warts are causing you pain and discomfort, use mild, unscented soap in the shower to avoid irritating your skin. You should also keep your skin clean and dry between showers to keep bacteria away and speed up the healing process. Avoid having sex while your skin is healing to avoid irritating the skin and spreading the virus. If your warts are causing you too much discomfort to go untreated, visit your doctor, who will prescribe medication to relieve your symptoms. Take any medication as instructed, even if you start to feel better, to fight the infection. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to prevent genital warts and other STDs in the future, read on!

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