Warts are small growths that may appear anywhere on the body. They are usually rough to the touch and are most commonly seen on the hands and feet of children. Warts are distinct from mosquito bites because they will grow from the skin over time, enlarging in the process. They may look like a small cauliflower. The main cause of a wart is the human papillomavirus, or HPV. As many as one in three children develop a wart on their hands and feet. Warts developed on these areas will go away after a while, but there are treatments and surgical procedures that could remove a wart if it causes pain or severe discomfort. Warts are more likely to appear on people with weaker immune systems.

While warts most often affect visible areas on the skin, it is also possible for warts to grow on the genitalia or near the anus. These warts are quite different, as they are caused by a sexually transmitted disease (STD). They are caused by a few specific strands of HPV, which are different from those that cause warts on the hands and feet. Genital warts are actually very common among sexually active individuals, especially those who are under 35 years of age. This article will explain what causes genital warts and possible wart treatments in Singapore.

HPV and genital warts

If you notice that you have warts on your genitals, you are likely to have contracted the HPV strands that are transmitted through sexual contact. It would likely be unclear who you have contracted the virus from, as these strands of HPV may not show any symptoms until weeks or months later. The first time you have an outbreak of genital warts, you should consult an STD clinic to ascertain that it is indeed a wart. You can only be sure that it is a genital wart with the professional opinion of an experienced STD doctor or through the results of medical tests at the STD clinic. After describing the symptoms, the doctor will likely physically examine the affected areas. They may also take samples from the affected region for laboratory testing. Within a week, the doctor should be able to tell you the exact cause of your pain or discomfort.

Treatments for genital warts

Because genital and anal warts can be quite painful, your doctor may recommend a wart treatment to help ease the pain. These may include medications that are applied directly to the areas. Typically, over-the-counter wart treatments would not work for genital warts. You will need to rely on medicine from a trusted genital warts clinic.

Wart removal surgery

If your genital warts are too large and painful, then your doctor may recommend that you opt for a wart removal surgery instead. These are minor surgical procedures that can remove the wart from your skin. Different wart removal clinics have different surgical options available, so check with your doctor!