Genital Warts - Early Signs 

Key Takeaways:

• A genital wart is usually a tiny, skin-coloured bump that develops in clusters in your genital area. It usually appears flat or elevated depending on where it develops.
  
  
• Genital warts can be diagnosed only by noticing the warts themselves.
  
  
• When you get infected, warts may appear weeks or months later
  
  
• Genital warts can usually be prevented by avoiding unprotected sex and staying healthy - your body can sometimes fight off the infection.
  
  
• If you think you have genital bumps, get an assessment and treatment recommendations.

There is a wide variety of sizes and shapes of genital warts. Symptoms can help you recognize them, but a doctor's diagnosis is best.

How Can I Check For Signs Of Genital Warts?

Since genital warts only cause growths on the skin, you don't know you're infected until you see one. It may be difficult to detect them when they appear inside your genitals. You should consult your doctor if you think you have been infected.

It's best to spot and treat them early to prevent them from spreading and growing. Women need to check their vulva and groin for warts. Men should examine their penis, scrotum, groin, and thighs to look for abnormalities. Genital warts can spread to the mouth (lips, tongue, palate), throat, and anus when you have oral and anal sex with an infected partner.

What To Look For

There are many types and sizes of genital warts. The following symptoms commonly characterize genital warts:

• Skin-coloured bumps (up to 2-3mm) that often grow in clusters and look like cauliflowers
  
  
• Some people only have one or two warts on their bodies. Several types of growths exist in the genital area, which is typically soft-to-the-touch, can either be flat or elevated and are usually located directly in the genital area
  
  
• It is common for genital warts to appear in moist areas (such as the vagina, the anus or the groin area), and they are usually not painful or uncomfortable. If you scratch your skin, it may itch, hurt or bleed a bit, which can be very uncomfortable.

Warts can appear weeks to months after infection, so it's important to remember that the early signs can occur weeks to months after infection. Regularly checking yourself for early signs of genital warts is recommended for women who have recently engaged in unprotected sex. A genital bump is not always an indication of genital warts. There could be other diseases causing them, such as syphilis, haemorrhoids, or bumps (kind of like pimples). Whenever possible, consult your doctor or a GUM clinic.

What To Do If You See Signs Of Genital Warts

If Genital warts should be treated as soon as you notice their first signs. You can eliminate warts with topical creams such as Warticon, Condyline, or Aldara. Surgical operations (laser, freezing, or cutting off warts) and chemical treatments are also available for warts. Warts are removed with these treatments, but the virus that causes them is not killed.

As soon as you get warts, you should go to your doctor to be tested for other sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV.

How To Avoid Infections Or Outbreaks

To prevent genital warts, you must look for early signs and treat them before they appear. It has been shown in studies that patients in their 20s and early 30s have a better chance of effectively killing the virus than those over 30. This is because the body is capable of fighting the virus.

If Boosting your immune system is essential if you know you carry the virus. The development of genital warts is directly related to your body's weakened state. Be extra careful when suffering from a disease (such as diabetes) or undergoing chemotherapy. When contracting the virus, you are more likely to develop genital warts if you lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Stress, binge drinking, and smoking should be avoided.

While they may not show symptoms as often as women, men are equally contagious. Using condoms and visiting your GUM clinic regularly are the best ways to prevent warts. If you do not use condoms and have several sexual partners per year, you are especially prone to developing warts.

How Do Genital Warts Compare To Other Types Of Warts?

Unlike warts on the genital area, warts on other body parts (such as your hands or feet) are similar but not the same. If you are infected with HPV (human papillomavirus), any type of wart can develop.

They Aren't Usually Transferable – HPV viruses can spread to other parts of the body, but they typically appear where there is a break in the skin. People spread warts by rubbing their skin against each other. HPV can cause many types of warts, including common bodily and genital warts (types 6 and 11). Nonetheless, if you have a wart on your hand caused by an HPV type that can also cause genital warts (either HPV types 6 or 11), there is the possibility that skin contact will result in the growth of these warts. No evidence suggests that common bodily and genital warts may increase a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer. While some HPV types are associated with cervical cancer, these are usually not the types that cause warts.

Not All Blemishes Are Warts – many types of warts, lumps, or pimples can be found on the genital area of a person. It's not necessarily a big deal to find one. You should consult a nurse or doctor when unsure about what's happening down there. Below is a brief overview of common types of genital marks and blemishes:

Genital Warts:

• A small, flesh-coloured bump on the surface of your skin, sometimes appearing as though it had a cauliflower top
  
  
• Two types of HPV cause genital warts: type 6 and type 11. Sexual contact is a primary means of transmitting these infections, as they are very contagious. No danger is associated with these STDs, even though they are the most common worldwide.
  
  
• The HPV virus is not curable, but warts can be treated with creams or liquids, as well as surgery, or they can be frozen. The virus can go away on its own at times

Genital Herpes:

• Inflammatory blisters or sores that are red and painful as well as itchy from time to time
  
  
• The herpes simplex virus, an RNA virus, causes a herpes sore. Sexual contact can lead to the transmission of the infection.
  
  
• Even though herpes cannot be cured, there are medicines you can take to prevent or reduce outbreaks of the infection

Ingrown Pubic Hairs:

• The pubic hairs of your pubic area are red and sore around the follicles of your pubic hairs
  
  
• Ingrown hairs occur when hair regrowth does not go according to plan. People with a shaved pubic region are more likely to suffer from this problem.
  
  
• You should avoid shaving again for a while, and if they get infected or irritated, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

Spots Or Pimples:

• Exactly like the whiteheads that appear on the rest of the body as well
  
  
• There is nothing unusual about spots on your genital area. A woman's menstrual cycle may cause pimples.
  
  
• Please keep your hands off of them, and don't pick them. Take plenty of warm baths and avoid shaving or waxing there for some time

Skin Tags:

• Small, fleshy bumps are skin tags, just like genital warts. It grows outwards and is attached to your skin by a narrow stalk, unlike a genital wart (which is raised on the surface of your skin)
  
  
• Usually caused by friction, skin tags are harmless extra pieces of skin.
  
  
• Skin tags can be managed over the counter with various treatments, including tea tree oil.

Moles:

• In contrast to warts and skin tags, moles are usually very well-defined and symmetrical. A consistent colour should be present throughout
  
  
• Your genitals, as well as other parts of your body, have moles that occur naturally. If you notice any changes to your moles, you should notify your doctor since moles can become cancerous in rare circumstances.
  
  
• Unless the mole bothers you or becomes cancerous, there is no need to treat it. A mole can be surgically removed in these cases.

What Other Symptoms Come With Genital Warts?

You will notice small, skin-coloured growths on or around your genital area as a symptom of the genital wart virus. There are times when the growths clump together and resemble cauliflowers.

Other Symptoms Associated With Genital Warts Include:

• Inflammation or itching
  
  
• Inflammation, irritation, or scratching of warts can cause bleeding.
  
  
• Urine flow may be disrupted if something is near or inside the urethra.

Consult a GP or nurse if you have any concerns about something on the skin surrounding your genitals for peace of mind and expert advice.

How Mobi Doctor Can Help?

If you are experiencing genital warts or other symptoms related to sexual health, it's essential to seek medical advice. With Mobi Doctor, you can get online help and connect with a licensed healthcare provider from your home. Describe your symptoms and receive personalized recommendations and treatment options. Don't wait to address your health concerns – visit our website to learn more and get the help you need.