Genital warts are small bumps located in the foreskin, foreskin groove, foreskin or on the shaft of the penis. They are also known as genital warts. It causes pathology of the papillomavirus virus of some strains, is prone to recurrent manifestations and is never completely eliminated from the body.
What causes warts on the penis in men
Warts are growth of a virus caused by a human papillomavirus. HPV is a large group of pathogenic microorganisms. Approximately 100 strains of this pathogen have been studied. In addition, these viruses are divided into several different types according to the degree of carcinogenicity.
According to rough estimates, about 90% of the world's population is infected with one or other papilloma virus. The pathogen lives very little in the surroundings and quickly dies. Most often spread through sex, less often in everyday life or from mother to child. The viral agents are localized in the superficial layer of the mucous membranes and epidermis.
For penile warts in men, strains 6 and 11. These viruses are the cause of genital warts. These are types that are not conditionally carcinogenic, which can rarely cause malignancies.
In order for the virus to enter the body, it is necessary to contact the infected skin or mucosa directly with the healthy skin. This usually happens when having unprotected sex. The risk of infection increases if there are minor scratches on the surface of the body - scratches, cracks, abrasions. Viruses get into these lesions especially easily and quickly.
The replication of HPV occurs in the deep layers of the skin inside the cells of the human epidermis. As the disease progresses, the epithelial cells move upwards along with the viral agents. Thus, the papillomavirus reaches the surface of the skin and provokes the rapid chaotic growth of epidermal cells. This leads to the formation of warts on the penis.
A distinctive feature of the papillomavirus is that it may stay inactive for a long time in the deep layers of the dermis. Various factors can provoke its progression. For example, weakened immune system, hypothermia, taking antibiotics, stress, overwork, poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, etc. v.
However, even when the virus is latent, a person is still potentially dangerous about passing the HPV virus on to their sexual partner. Knowing the cause of the warts on the penis, we can conclude that these formations are likely to appear in both young sex beginners and the elderly.
Symptoms and types of penis warts
In most male patients, warts on the penis, as a rule, do not manifest themselves in any way. Usually they form in places that are susceptible to sexual intercourse. Therefore, the tumor can be found in the foreskin, braid wire, foreskin. Less common, they appear on the shaft of the penis and scrotum and testicles.
Penile warts usually look like small, pinkish, beige, white bumps that are 2-30 mm in size. They can be single or stray in groups, forming tumors similar to a hive.
During the active phase of development, when the immune system is not working, warts on the penis can cause itching, burning in the affected area. In addition, a lump can sometimes be palpated during sex. In the normal state, these tumors are painless and not cause significant discomfort.
Usually, seborrheic cyst does not affect a limited area of the genitals but large areas. As a result, often the warts on the tip of the penis gradually spread throughout the groin area, affecting the anus.
The types of warts on the penis depend on the strain of the virus that infects a man, as well as where they are.
Let's take a look at their main types:
- In the foreskin area, the tumor is a nodule that is lighter in color than the skin. Sometimes they have a thin leg. Initially, only single warts will appear, over time will form groups of genital warts.
- On warts, warts look like small white papules with a chaotic arrangement.
- Warts on the tip of the penis that look like pale pink, finger-like papules. Usually they form clusters similar to broccoli flower clusters.
- Huge Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis. They are several warts that grow together. This is a rare but dangerous pathology, with the risk of malignant transformation, because the tumor's cells are susceptible to rapid mutation.
If you find suspicious lumps on the penis, men should see a specialist immediately. Urologist examines and interviews patients. In addition to the penis, the urologist must examine the scrotum, the area around the anus, and groin. Usually imaging tests are sufficient for diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for additional tests.
To determine the strain of the pathogen and the risk of causing cancer, the patient must donate blood for PCR testing. In addition, if the wart is damaged, a dermoscopy may be needed to confirm the presence of the wart in the urethra.
Remember that the warts on the top of the penis and scrotum can look like a u has a different nature. For example, papillomas in the second stage of syphilis are also characterized by the appearance of small tumors. To rule out other sexually transmitted diseases, it is also necessary to test for common genital infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomonas, etc. v.
The dangers of warts on the penis in men
Initially, warts on the penis represented a cosmetic defect rather than a serious medical condition that threatened a man's health. However, this does not mean that they do not need treatment. If you let the disease go its way, it can lead to more serious problems in the future.
The dangers of these newcomers are as follows:
- Evolution of phimosis.In this condition, the foreskin fuses with the tip of the penis. Hence, problems can arise with normal spermatogenesis, pathogens accumulate in the space under the foreskin, and inflammatory processes can occur.
- Inflammation of the penis, penis shaft.This pathology is a complication of the condition described above, when the bacteria get under the foreskin and spread further.
- Corrosive to the genitals.Usually they develop as a result of a systemic injury with warts on the penis. This happens when having sex, shaving, or wearing tight underwear.
- The degeneration of the tumor into a cancerous tumor.This is a rare but potentially dangerous case, especially if the warts on the penis are often damaged.
Also, don't forget that active tumors are dangerous when infecting a sexual partner. What's more, even a condom can not always protect a person from infection.
How to treat penis warts
Since the appearance of warts on the penis is directly related to the overall impairment of immunity, the treatment of this pathology needs to be combined and complex. Basically, in relation to tumors, a variety of destruction methods are used. To enhance immunity and suppress viruses, drugs are used.
How to get rid of warts on the penis
Chemical and instrumental exposure methods are used to remove penis warts. It should be remembered that these tumors themselves are extremely rare, and therefore they will have to be removed if a man tries to minimize the risk of complications.
There are several ways to get rid of warts on the penis:
- Destruction by laser.The laser beam evaporates the liquid from the accumulator, it dries up, becomes covered with a shell and falls off after a few days. As a rule, there is no trace left at the place of treatment. The procedure is painless, rarely leads to relapses and complications.
- Removes Cryo.Liquid nitrogen, with a low temperature, is applied clockwise to the tumor and leads to subsequent freezing and death. After treatment, a crust forms at the site of formation, which also disappears after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
- Surgical radar excision.Tumors are affected by radio waves, destroying growing tissue. This is one of the correct, effective and safe ways to remove warts on the penis. Once removed by radio waves, there is no longer a trace on the skin.
- Coagulation of capacitors.At a certain frequency, an electric current is applied to the electrode, which will destroy the formation. This procedure for removing warts on the penis can lead to burns and subsequent scarring. Therefore, it is prescribed with caution.
- Surgical removal.If the milia on the penis is too large, a scalpel can be cut in severe cases. But they rarely resort to such surgery, as there is a risk of severe bleeding and spreading infection. In addition, complete circular removal of the foreskin is indicated for extensive lesions with warts.
A doctor may also prescribe chemical removal. The procedure is performed with the use of anesthetic drugs.
Before chemically treating warts on the penis, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as these drugs have a number of contraindications and improper use carries a riskcausing complications.
Medicine for warts on the penis
In order to eliminate the risk of recurrence of genital warts in the tip of the penis or other parts of the genitals, attention should be paid to strengthening immunity, as well as suppressing the virus in the body. For this purpose, different classes of drugs are used - antiviral and immunomodulatory.
Also with HPV, it is important to stimulate the body's defense activity, for some reason the body is in a depressed state. Immunity will actively fight off pathogens and reduce the risk of warts reappearing on the penis.
It should be understood that drug treatment cannot completely solve the problem of the warts on the penis. To eliminate them, it is necessary to resort to tooling techniques to eliminate development.
Folk remedies against warts on the penis
If you are thinking about how to treat penis warts then you can seek help from traditional medicine. However, keep in mind that you should only use these techniques after consulting your doctor. Self-medication can at least be futile, and in the worst case, can lead to serious complications.
The following tools are popular:
- Tea tree oil.A powerful herbal antiviral that suppresses the activity of the pathogen. Need to rub this substance on the warts on the tip of the penis several times a day, every day until the warts are completely removed.
- Propolis.Another natural medicine that helps fight viruses. To get rid of the warts on the penis, apply this substance to those that grow before bed every day for 10-14 days.
- Egg whites.It is necessary to supplement the crude protein and lubricate the tumor with it several times a day.
- Food vinegar.The acid actively erodes pathological tissues, and you need to be careful with it so as not to damage nearby healthy areas. You need to lubricate carefully and regularly.
- Rowan juice.Acidic substances containing phytoncides have antiviral effects. Lubricate with liquid that just squeezes the wart on the penis daily.
The above formulas are only suitable if you know for sure that you are dealing with HPV, and small and single lumps. If not, you can't do it without special treatment.
Preventing warts on the penis
Timely treatment of penile warts greatly reduces the risk of complications and future relapses. This is also a way to avoid passing the virus on to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective methods of prevention is a special multivalent vaccination. They are active against pathogens of the type 6, 11, 16 and 18 - which are precisely those that cause the appearance of genital warts.
Although a condom cannot guarantee 100% protection from HPV, condoms should be used as it reduces the risk of infection by 20-30%. Including, it protects against other sexually transmitted infections.
If a man has been infected with HPV, it is important to follow healthy lifestyle rules to reduce the risk of getting warts on the penis. It is important to prevent exacerbations of chronic illness in a timely manner, eat properly, exercise, and maintain immunity in a "ready to fight" state.
If you are thinking about how to get rid of a warts on the penis, see a doctor immediately. Self-medication in this case can only be harmful. The procedure is quick and painless to remove the tumor. In addition, it is important to strengthen the body's protective functions to avoid future relapses.