G. Tsakonis
Morphe
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Warts – HPV, anus, vulva, penis, mouth, tongue
HPV warts are a viral infection that is one of the most commonly transmitted diseases through sexual contact. At the same time, it affects a vast percentage of men and women worldwide. It is estimated that about 50-70% of individuals who are sexually active will develop some form of HPV virus during their lifetime. Every unprotected sexual contact with an infected person by the virus has about a 70% chance of infection for their partner as well. Today, treatment for warts offers a simpler and more effective solution. It can be performed by our specialized dermatologists within our clinic, ensuring complete discretion. Additionally, we provide specialized dermatological examinations for diagnosis, while the treatment includes laboratory immunological testing of the body. Therefore, we can ensure the best possible response to treatment. Make an appointment and learn everything about warts from Dr. Georgios Tsakoni and the specialized dermatologists of the plastic surgery center.
What are warts?
A few words about the HPV virus
Genital and perianal warts are small papillomatous abnormalities. They are the result of infection with the HPV virus and are transmitted during sexual intercourse. Usually, they do not show symptoms, and in rare cases, they may cause itching.
The areas where warts appear include:
- the penis
- the groin area
- the scrotum
- the perianal area
- the vagina
- the vulva
- the cervix
- the mouth, lips & larynx
- the hands
Regarding warts, we encounter six different types:
- Cauliflower-shaped with light or dark color
- Small and smooth, with the same color as the skin
- With a keratinized and rough surface
- Flat, resembling dark spots
- Similar to a small wart, usually dark in color
- Thread-like, usually light in color
Book an informative appointment and learn everything about wart treatment!
Wart Treatment with Laser
Η κορυφαία επιλογή αντιμετώπισης κονδυλωμάτων
Laser therapy is the top choice for treating warts. It is ideal for both men and women and is popular due to its painless and quick results. Additionally, it provides a permanent outcome with just a few visits while leaving surrounding tissues unaffected. With specialized laser treatment, we can even address lesions that are not visible to the naked eye. Besides its tremendous effectiveness, laser therapy offers significant advantages over other types of treatments, such as:
- Personalized treatment
- Painless and bloodless treatment, without marks or scars on the skin, and with permanent results.
- Excellent aesthetic result after the treatment is complete.
- Clinical studies show that the use of Laser for genital warts is associated with a reduced risk of recurrence and relapse.
The dermatologists at our clinic have the necessary training and long-term experience in the field. Thus, they are capable of treating every case painlessly and with excellent results. Patients can return to all their daily activities on the same day. Finally, do not forget that the recurrence of warts is possible, which is why regular check-ups with our dermatologist are recommended until they are completely eradicated.
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The transmission of warts
Myth and reality
Initially, the HPV virus is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy one through skin-to-skin contact. It is important to note that it can be transmitted even when there are no visible lesions on the skin of the infected person. Additionally, the HPV virus is transmitted through the skin of the genitals, body fluids, and the mucous membranes of the genital area. It must also be emphasized that the use of condoms does not fully protect against the HPV virus, as they do not completely cover the area. Furthermore, the virus can be transmitted through contact with infected sex toys or fingers. It is important to note that the infection depends on the condition of the immune system and the health level of each person. The mouth is quite rarely affected by warts; however, in recent years, there has been an increase in cases. Lastly, the HPV virus can remain dormant for several years before manifesting. This makes it difficult to identify the person who transmitted the virus, especially in cases of casual relationships. HPV can also appear from small injuries in the area or from shaving. Finally, it should be known that the HPV virus is difficult to transmit through contact with surfaces such as toilet seats and doorknobs. Additionally, it is not transmitted through towels and clothing that come into contact with the skin of the infected person.
Wart Symptoms & How to Recognize Them
The areas that men should observe to recognize warts are:
- the penis
- the area above the penis
- the urethra
- the scrotum
- the area around the anus
- the upper thighs.
Women should frequently examine:
- the area on the labia
- the pubic area
- the walls of the vagina
- around the anus
- the perineum
- the groin area.
Sometimes warts are not immediately visible. For instance, they may be hidden by hair in the area or in the folds of our skin. If ignored, warts can grow to the point of blocking the vagina or the urethra. As a result, they may cause pain during urination and difficulty during sexual intercourse. Due to their transmission through oral sex, special attention should be paid to areas such as the tongue, lips, palate, throat, and generally throughout the oral cavity. Warts cause lesions that may be visible even to the naked eye. These are called subclinical and can be seen with a special magnifying lens. However, they may also be latent, meaning without any visible signs at all. In the latter case, lesions can only be detected through laboratory tissue analysis identifying them with the PCR method. You should remember that warts, except in a few cases, do not have any accompanying symptoms, such as itching, pain, or a burning sensation. Also, in relatively rare cases, there may be bleeding, which can lead to the spread of warts to surrounding areas.
Warts in woman
About three out of four women will be exposed to a type of HPV virus during their lifetime. Typically, the transmission of this infectious disease occurs through sexual contact, whether vaginal, oral, or anal. It is important to note that many women may be unaware of the presence of the HPV virus in their bodies, as it often does not show symptoms and usually goes away on its own most of the time. It is important to emphasize that while condoms are essential for any sexual contact, they do not provide sufficient protection against the HPV virus. This is due to the fact that warts can be transmitted even through friction in areas not covered by the condom.
Warts in men
Certain types of the HPV virus are associated with various types of cancer, which in some cases can lead to cancer of the penis or anus. These two forms of cancer are relatively rare, especially in men with a strong immune system. The risk of developing cancer in the anal region increases about 17 times for sexually active gay men compared to those who have sexual relations only with women. Additionally, men who are HIV positive also have a higher risk of developing cancer. For the examination of warts, the specialist dermatologist visually inspects the area around the genitals and the perineum. A solution with a special acid is often used for easier detection of non-visible warts. However, the test is not completely reliable, and thus, when there is doubt regarding the diagnosis, examination with a microscope may also be performed.
Anal Warts
The initial stages of anal warts are subtle, microscopic, and usually invisible to the naked eye. However, as time passes, they increase in size and become visible, often causing discomfort. Sometimes, they can even evolve into very large warts that can cover a vast area of the internal and external anal skin. If you notice warts in the perianal area, there is usually a high likelihood that they have also extended to the inside of the anus. Thus, to ensure complete treatment, the examination should also be conducted inside the anus. Scientific studies have confirmed that HPV does not infect the intestines, so the warts are usually located up to 6-7 centimeters from the anus and not deeper. In addition to warts, the HPV virus can also cause precancerous lesions known as dysplasias. If someone does not address them in a timely manner, there is a possibility they may develop into cancer. Dysplasias are difficult to diagnose through anoscopy, as they are microscopic and have a color similar to that of the anal mucosa. Therefore, it is advisable for patients with anal warts to undergo high-definition anoscopy as well.
Penis warts
Warts are one of the most common infections, which can be transmitted through sexual intercourse on the man’s penis. Typically, their color is similar to that of the skin, with several cases being light or dark brown. Warts are usually found on the shaft of the penis and on the glans. The two most common types of HPV associated with penile warts are types 6 and 11. These two types belong to the category of low-risk types and it is rare for them to lead to malignancy. Unfortunately, warts cause embarrassment for many men, resulting in significant delays in visiting a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment. This can increase the rate of transmission and the likelihood of recurrence. Like in other cases, penile warts are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact of the genital organs. Warts can also be transmitted without penetration, and their appearance is more frequent in young men, regardless of sexual orientation. It is important to remember that the virus can be present in the body without showing visible signs.
Warts on the mouth & tongue
Oral warts have been observed quite frequently in recent decades, mainly due to sexual liberation. The types of HPV involved are also 6 and 11, which, as mentioned earlier, are relatively low-risk. The skin lesions they cause resemble simple papillomas in the color of our skin. The transmission of oral warts usually occurs through oral sex and less commonly through kissing. The HPV virus enters our body through possible abrasions in the mouth or on the tongue. It should be understood that in this case, a condom does not provide complete protection against the HPV virus, as the base of the penis is not covered. When the virus affects the mouth, it causes skin lesions that look like very small lumps. These are observed on the inside of the lips and the tongue and have the color of normal mucosa.
Vulvar warts
Warts are highly contagious, come in various shapes, and can be transmitted through direct contact during sexual intercourse. In women, they appear on the internal and external lips of the vulva, in the area of the clitoris, in the vagina, and in the anus. Warts can cause malignant or benign lesions on the mucous membranes and skin surrounding the vulva. They can be pointed & clustered, which are found on the mucous membranes, or verrucous, which are located on the keratinized epithelium. An HPV virus infection must have lesions visible to the naked eye to be defined as clinical. Laser treatment can remove warts non-invasively and painlessly, providing excellent aesthetic results and is the most appropriate treatment for warts on the vulva.