Genital Wart Removal

Posts Tagged ‘Diagnosis’

Genital warts are a form of sexually transmitted disease that is brought about by human papillomavirus (HPV). These genital warts appear as small bumps that are raised and shaped like cauliflowers. They are usually flesh-colored or grey. Genital warts usually manifest on the anal and genital areas. The symptoms of these warts may not show from a few weeks to even many months so it is very difficult to pinpoint whether or not you have HPV in your system. The best way of finding out is to visit your doctor so that he/she can conduct tests, make the right diagnosis, and suggest the best treatment option that is suitable for your case.
Before giving a diagnosis of genital warts, your doctor will usually have several questions for you about the symptoms that you currently have, your other medical problem, your sexual and medical history, and what specific kinds of medications that you are presently taking.
Your doctor will then conduct a physical test so that he/she can see the signs and symptoms of genital warts. The first test that is usually conducted is direct visual examination of the problem area. This examination involves a thorough and careful observation of your genital areas, thighs, and pelvic region. Moreover, your doctor will examine your throat and mouth areas for warts. What he/she is looking for are tiny flesh-colored spots on the skin that are raised. These genital warts vary in size and form in clumps.
However, it is a known fact that not all of your genital warts can be easily spotted. Hence, your doctor may use other examination methods to verify the presence of warts. Different solutions may be used. For instance, acetic acid (white vinegar) may be used. It is usually smeared on the labia, cervix, penis, and around the anus to verify the presence of tiny genital warts. Upon the application of this solution, genital warts turn white. However, the presence of tiny white spots does not necessarily mean that the patient indeed has genital warts. This is because the acetic acid test also yields positive results for other diseases such as yeast infections, psoriasis, and lichen planus.
Aside from direct visual examination and acetic acid test, your doctor may also perform a Pap smear, that is, if you’re a woman. A Pap smear involves the scraping of cells from the cervix. The cells that have been gathered are then meticulously examined for abnormalities. If your doctor spots abnormalities, he/she will then suggest that you go for more tests in order to determine the exact cause of those abnormalities.
Your doctor may also suggest another examination called a colposcopy. A colposcopy involves the utilization of a magnifying device that is lighted so that the doctor will have a better view of your cervix, vagins, and vulva in order to check for symptoms and signs of genital warts. In addition, severe cases may call for a biopsy. This examination involves the removal of a small sample of tissue from your cervix and its subsequent observation under a microscope.
Before giving his/her final diagnosis, your doctor will also conduct other tests that serve to rule out infections that look similar to genital warts. Examples of these infections include skin tags, herpes, pearly penile papules, and seborrhetic keratoses, among others.
The important thing to know is to detect genital warts as early as possible so that you could immediately undergo treatment during its early stages. Like other health problems, the probability of successfully treating genital warts increases if it is dealt with earlier.

Vinegar has several uses for genital warts. First, it is used in diagnosing the said sexually transmitted disease. Next, it can also be used to treat genital warts and alleviate the symptoms while they are still at the early stages.
Genital warts may or may not show symptoms. If they do, the warts may appear as tiny cauliflower-shaped lesions that may be raised or flat. They may start as small, around 2 millimeters in diameter, but they may grow big and expand into huge clusters in the anal and genital areas. They are easy to detect if they are raised and are big enough to be seen by the naked eye. However, there are times when they are present but are barely noticeable. Thus, in diagnosing genital warts, your doctor will usually apply a three to five percent acetic solution, or white vinegar, directly to the suspected infected areas.
White vinegar, which consists of acetic acid, will turn the warts white upon application. To further aid in the direct visual examination, the doctor may use a colposcope, a lighted magnifying device. However, the white spots do not necessarily reflect the presence of genital warts. Your doctor will still test you for other similar-looking conditions, such as psoriasis, lichen planus, and yeast infections. He/she may also perform a biopsy if any more abnormalities are present. This test involves the removal of a sample of tissue for further examination under a microscope.
Vinegar is also used for other tests for genital warts. Some doctors use vinegar in a test called an acid wrap. A gauze strip or piece of cloth is first soaked in white vinegar. It is then wrapped around the genital area of the individual for approximately 10 minutes. Similar to the acetic acid test mentioned above, the parts of the genital area that become white are identified to as potential genital warts. Again, more tests will be conducted after this to rule out any possibilities of similar-looking diseases.
Aside from diagnosis, vinegar is also used as a treatment for genital warts. In particular, apple cider vinegar is used as a natural remedy. It is effective against genital warts because it contains acetic and malic acid that help combat bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These acids work with the naturally-occurring acids in your body to form a new compound that helps fight harmful microorganisms.
According to folk traditions, you should soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and use it to apply the solution to your warts. Then, you should tape it over the affected area and leave it overnight. When you wake up in the morning, take the patch off and wash the area with warm water. This is supposed to be done daily for one week, depending on the severity of your case. If your genital warts are big and severe or if your immune system is compromised, you may have to repeat this method for a couple more weeks. You may also opt to soak the areas with genital warts directly in apple cider vinegar once or twice daily. Note, however, that this may irritate your sensitive genital area so consult your doctor first before using this treatment.