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Dr. Chrysoula I. Liakou MD, PhD
- Treated online: Yes, usually. Typical external genital warts are assessed by photo and video and a home topical treatment such as podophyllotoxin or imiquimod prescribed; warts that are internal, bleeding, pigmented, ulcerated or fast-growing, and warts in pregnancy, are examined and treated in person.
- What it is: skin growths caused by HPV types 6 and 11, passed on by genital skin contact with or without penetration; about 9 in 10 people clear HPV within 2 years, only some of those infected develop warts, and the wart types are not the cancer-causing types.
- How long: warts appear 3 weeks to 8 months after contact; about 3 in 10 clear on their own within 6 months; home treatment takes 4 to 16 weeks and freezing 1 to 4 sessions, and about 1 in 4 people see a recurrence within 3 months.
- Not for genital skin: wart paints and freezing kits sold for hands and feet are not designed for genital skin and cause burns; genital warts need the prescription treatments made for the area, applied exactly as directed.
- Vaccination: the HPV vaccine prevents the wart-causing types as well as the cancer-causing ones, does not treat existing warts, and is still worth having after a diagnosis to protect against the types you have not met.
- Emergency: genital warts are never a 112 emergency; a lump that bleeds, ulcerates, darkens or grows quickly needs in-person examination to be sure of the diagnosis rather than home treatment.
Genital warts are almost never an emergency, but some situations need in-person care rather than a home treatment. Book in person if you are pregnant, if the lumps are inside (in the anus, vagina, on the cervix or in the urine tube), or if a lump is bleeding, painful, ulcerated, darkly pigmented or growing quickly, because those features need examination to be sure of the diagnosis. Otherwise, typical external warts are well suited to an online assessment.
Can an online doctor treat genital warts?
Often, for typical external warts. Genital warts are small, soft growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). A doctor can usually assess visible external warts from clear photos and a video call and prescribe a topical treatment to use at home when the diagnosis is clear. Warts that are internal, in pregnancy, or better suited to freezing are treated in person, and any uncertain lump is examined rather than assumed.
On Mobi Doctor, the doctor treats genital warts as the common, manageable and unremarkable thing they are. Plenty of people have them, they say nothing about you, and the consultation is as private as any other.
Listen: Genital Warts Treatment Online
The audio version of this topic from the Mobi Doctor podcast. Open the episode.
How an online consultation helps with genital warts
- A discreet visual assessment: external warts are on the surface, so clear photos and a video call are often enough for the doctor to confirm the likely diagnosis without an in-person examination.
- Topical treatment at home: where it suits your case, the doctor can prescribe a cream or solution you apply yourself, such as podophyllotoxin or imiquimod, with the prescription usable at a pharmacy near you.[1]
- HPV explained without alarm: the doctor puts the virus in perspective, because the types that cause visible warts are not the ones linked to cancer, and most HPV clears on its own.[2]
- Honest about the split: when freezing, an in-clinic treatment, or examination of internal warts is the better route, the doctor says so and points you to it rather than stretching what online care can do.
📷 If you are comfortable: a clear, well-lit close-up photo of the warts, taken in daylight rather than under a harsh flash, helps the doctor confirm the diagnosis and choose the right treatment. Only external areas can be photographed usefully; anything internal needs an in-person look. Sharing photos is entirely optional, and they are handled as confidentially as any part of a medical consultation.
What causes genital warts? HPV explained
Genital warts are caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus, which is passed on through skin-to-skin genital contact. HPV is extremely common: most sexually active people are exposed to it at some point, and in the majority the immune system clears it quietly without anyone ever knowing.[2][4] The point of this is reassurance, not alarm.
The wart types are not the cancer types
It is worth being clear, because worry often outruns the facts. The HPV types that cause visible genital warts, mainly types 6 and 11, are considered low-risk and are not the types associated with cervical or other cancers.[2] Cervical screening looks for the separate high-risk types, and having genital warts does not change that programme, though the doctor can explain how the two fit together.
What the warts look like
They can appear as small, flesh-coloured or slightly darker bumps, sometimes single, sometimes in clusters that look a little like a cauliflower, and they are usually painless, occasionally itchy. They may show up weeks or months after contact, which means their appearance rarely pinpoints when or from whom HPV was acquired, an honest point that saves a lot of needless blame.
Genital warts and HPV vaccination
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent genital warts and the cancers linked to high-risk HPV. The widely used vaccine protects against the two main wart-causing types (6 and 11) as well as several high-risk types, and across Europe it is offered routinely to adolescents, with some older people also eligible or able to benefit depending on national programmes.[3][5] One honest caveat: the vaccine prevents new infections but does not treat warts you already have, so it is a prevention tool rather than a cure. The doctor can explain what is available where you live and whether vaccination is worth considering for you.
Are your genital warts suitable for online care?
Typical external warts usually are. A clear, external presentation suits photo and video assessment and a home topical treatment. Internal warts, pregnancy, uncertainty about the diagnosis, and cases better treated by freezing need in-person care. This is the framework the doctors use, aligned with the cited European guidance.[1]
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| Presentation | Likely first step | Suitable for online care? | When referral or in-person care is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small external warts, clear diagnosis | Prescription topical, such as podophyllotoxin or imiquimod[1] | Usually yes | Not responding, or spreading despite treatment |
| Larger, firmer or many warts | Freezing (cryotherapy) or another in-clinic treatment | Assessment yes; treatment in person | Commonly, for clinic-based removal |
| Internal warts (anal, vaginal, cervical, urethral) | In-person examination | No | Always, for examination and treatment |
| Pregnant with warts | Clinic-based options; home creams avoided | Assessment yes; treatment in person | Refer, with maternity coordination |
| Uncertain, bleeding, ulcerated or pigmented lump | In-person assessment to confirm the diagnosis | No | Always, to exclude other causes |
Not sure which row is you? A doctor can tell you in one consultation.
See available times →What the doctor checks in an online genital warts consultation
The consultation is structured around confirming the diagnosis and choosing a treatment that suits your situation. The doctor will typically assess:
- Appearance, number and site: what the warts look like and exactly where they are, since external and internal warts are handled differently.
- Whether any are internal: around or inside the anus, vagina, cervix or urine tube, which points toward in-person care.
- Symptoms: itch, bleeding or discomfort, and anything that suggests the lump might not be a simple wart.
- Pregnancy status: because several home treatments are avoided in pregnancy.[1]
- Your immune status: conditions or medicines that weaken immunity can make warts more stubborn.
- Previous treatments: what you have already tried and how it went.
- Vaccination and screening: your HPV vaccination status and, where relevant, cervical screening, so the wider picture is covered.[3]
When genital warts are treated online, and when you need in-person care
Treated online: typical external genital warts with a clear diagnosis, using a prescribed home topical treatment; advice on how to apply it and what to expect; reassurance about HPV; and guidance on vaccination and partner discussion.[1]
In-person care: internal warts, which need in-person examination; warts in pregnancy, where home creams are avoided and treatment is clinic-based; larger or numerous warts better suited to freezing or another in-clinic procedure; a weakened immune system; and any lump that is uncertain, bleeding, ulcerated or pigmented, which is examined in person to exclude other causes. Genital warts are different from the common and verruca-type skin warts you get on hands and feet, which are caused by other HPV types, and if a genital sore turns out to be a blister rather than a wart, a genital herpes assessment or a wider sexually transmitted infection check may be the better route.
Treatment options for genital warts
What you can do yourself
The most important self-care step is to resist treating warts yourself with unsuitable methods: do not cut, burn or apply ordinary wart paints designed for hands and feet, because genital skin is delicate and this can cause harm. Some genital warts clear on their own over time as the immune system deals with the virus, so a small number of people choose to wait, though most prefer to treat them. Not smoking helps, since smoking is linked to warts being more persistent. Condoms reduce the chance of passing HPV on but do not eliminate it, because the virus lives on skin that a condom does not cover, and it is worth telling a current partner so they can look out for warts and consider vaccination.
Prescription treatment after your consultation
A prescription is never issued without a consultation; after assessment, the doctor may prescribe a home topical treatment for suitable external warts. Podophyllotoxin (a solution or cream applied in cycles) and imiquimod (a cream that helps the immune system clear the warts) are the common first-line options, and the doctor explains exactly how and how long to use them, since misuse can irritate the skin.[1] Neither is used in pregnancy. Treatments applied in a clinic, chiefly cryotherapy (freezing), and occasionally minor procedures for larger warts, are done in person and are a referral rather than an online treatment. Warts can recur after any treatment because the underlying virus may persist for a time, so a second course is sometimes needed.
When to get in-person care
Genital warts themselves are not a medical emergency. Arrange in-person care, though not emergency care, for warts that are internal, that are bleeding, painful, ulcerated or changing in a way that does not fit a simple wart, or for warts in pregnancy. As with any medicine, if you ever develop signs of a serious allergic reaction to a treatment, such as swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing, call 112 immediately.
How Mobi Doctor works
- Book a time that suits you: open daily 7am–11pm CET. You can see a doctor over video, usually within 15 minutes. No subscription, exact price up front.
- Share a clear photo if you are comfortable, then speak to a licensed doctor: a private video call: you describe what you feel, the doctor asks what matters, and you agree the right plan together.
- Get your plan: home treatment where suitable, or a clear steer to in-clinic care, plus HPV and vaccination advice, or a full refund.
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Frequently asked questions about genital warts
What are genital warts, and how do you catch them?
Genital warts are growths on the genital or anal skin caused by the human papillomavirus, mainly types 6 and 11. They are caught through skin-to-skin genital contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex or close genital contact without penetration, including from someone with no visible warts, and occasionally through shared sex toys. Condoms reduce but do not remove the risk, because uncovered skin can carry the virus.
What do genital warts look like?
Genital warts are small flesh-coloured, pink, brown or grey lumps, flat or raised, single or in cauliflower-like clusters, on the vulva, penis, scrotum, around the anus, or inside the vagina, cervix, urethra or anal canal. They are usually painless but can itch, bleed with friction or alter the urine stream; they take 3 weeks to 8 months to appear after contact, and many people carry the virus without ever developing warts.
Can an online doctor prescribe genital wart treatment in Europe?
Yes, for suitable external genital warts. After assessing them by video, and from a photo if you share one, the doctor can prescribe a home topical treatment such as podophyllotoxin or imiquimod, with the prescription usable at a pharmacy near you and clear instructions on application. A prescription is never issued without a consultation, and internal, atypical or pregnancy-related warts are referred for in-person treatment.
Do genital warts mean I have a high risk of cancer?
No. The HPV types that cause visible genital warts, mainly types 6 and 11, are low-risk and are not the types linked to cervical or other cancers. Cervical screening looks for the separate high-risk types, and having warts does not change how often you need it. The HPV vaccine protects against both groups, which is why it is offered even after warts have appeared.
Will the HPV vaccine get rid of my warts?
No. The vaccine prevents new HPV infections, including the main wart-causing types, but it does not treat genital warts you already have. It is a prevention tool rather than a cure, still worth having after a diagnosis because it protects against the HPV types you have not met, including the cancer-causing ones; the doctor can explain what vaccination is available where you live.
Can I treat genital warts with wart paint from the pharmacy?
No, not the ordinary ones. Wart paints and freezing kits sold for hands and feet are not designed for delicate genital skin and can cause burns or ulcers. Genital warts need treatments made for the area, such as prescription podophyllotoxin or imiquimod applied at home, or freezing, heat or minor surgery in a clinic, chosen according to how many warts there are and where they sit.
Should I tell my partner about genital warts?
It is a good idea. Telling a current partner lets them look out for warts and consider HPV vaccination, and it is a straightforward conversation because genital warts are common and not a sign of anything wrong with either of you. Because HPV can be carried silently for months or years, warts appearing in a long-term relationship do not mean recent infidelity.
How long do genital warts take to clear, and do they come back?
About 3 in 10 cases of genital warts clear by themselves within six months as the immune system controls the virus. Home treatments take 4 to 16 weeks and clear most warts; freezing takes one to four sessions. Recurrence within a few months affects about 1 in 4 people because the virus lingers in nearby skin, and is treated again; most people are wart-free within a year, and the virus itself usually clears within two.
What can I do at home while treating genital warts?
Apply the prescribed treatment exactly as directed, usually to the warts only with protection of the surrounding skin, wash hands before and after, avoid sex while the treatment is on the skin and ideally until the genital warts have cleared, stop smoking, which slows clearance, keep the area clean and dry, and report soreness, ulceration or a wart that is not responding after the course so the doctor can switch methods.
How can I prevent genital warts?
Prevent genital warts by having the HPV vaccine, using condoms for vaginal, anal and oral sex with new partners while accepting they do not cover all skin, not sharing sex toys without cleaning or a new condom, not smoking, and avoiding sex while a partner has visible warts or is under treatment. Someone who has had warts cannot fully prevent passing the virus on until it has cleared, which usually takes months.
Are genital warts different in pregnancy?
Yes. Genital warts often grow faster and larger in pregnancy because immunity shifts, and the usual home treatments podophyllotoxin and imiquimod are not used; freezing or other clinic treatment is offered in person, and most warts shrink after the birth. The risk to the baby is very small, and a caesarean is not needed for warts alone, so a pregnant woman with warts is directed to her maternity or sexual health service.
Is it a genital wart or something else?
Several harmless things are mistaken for genital warts: pearly penile papules (a ring of tiny bumps around the head of the penis), vestibular papillae in the vulva, Fordyce spots (small yellow sebaceous glands), skin tags, molluscum contagiosum (pearly dome with a dimple) and hair follicles. Firm, bleeding, pigmented or ulcerated lumps need in-person examination, because syphilis and rare skin cancers can resemble warts.
- European guideline for the management of anogenital warts, IUSTI Europe (International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections), 2019.
- Human papillomavirus and genital warts, DermNet New Zealand Trust, reviewed 2023.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cancer fact sheet, World Health Organization (WHO), 2024.
- Human papillomavirus, ECDC, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, accessed August 2026.
- Gardasil 9 (HPV vaccine): European public assessment report, EMA, European Medicines Agency, accessed August 2026.
- Genital warts, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed July 2023.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Guideline links are provided for transparency; treatment decisions are made with your doctor.
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Read article →Speak to a doctor about genital warts over video, usually within 15 minutes
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