Penis warts are small growths located on the foreskin, frenum, glans, or penis. They are also called genital warts. This provokes the pathology of certain strains of the papillomavirus, which are susceptible to recurrent manifestations and are never completely eliminated from the body.
Causes of wart formation on the penis in men
Warts are the growth of viruses caused by human papillomavirus. HPV is a large group of pathogenic microorganisms. There are about 100 strains of this pathogen studied. The virus is also divided into different categories according to the degree of oncogenicity.
According to rough estimates, about 90% of the world's population is infected with one or another type of papillomavirus. Pathogens live very little in the external environment and die quickly. Often spread through sexual intercourse, more rarely in daily life or from mother to child. Viral agents are localized in the surface layers of the mucous membranes and epidermis.
About penis warts in men, strains 6 and 11. cause it. The virus is responsible for genital warts. This is a conditional non-oncogenic type, which can rarely cause neoplasm malignancy.
For viruses to enter the body, direct contact of infected skin or mucous membranes with healthy skin is required. This usually happens during unprotected sex. The risk of infection increases if there is microtraum on the body surface - abrasions, cracks, scratches. Viruses penetrate this damage especially easily and quickly.
Multiplication of HPV occurs in the deep layers of the skin inside human epidermal cells. As the disease progresses, epithelial cells move upward with viral agents. Thus, papillomavirus reaches the surface of the skin and provokes the rapid growth of epidermal cells. This leads to the formation of warts on the penis.
A special feature of papillomavirus is that it can remain inactive for a long time in the inner lining of the dermis. Various factors can provoke its progress. For example, immune system weakness, hypothermia, antibiotic intake, stress, overwork, poor nutrition, vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and more.
However, even if the virus is not hidden, a person is potentially dangerous in terms of transmitting HPV to a partner. By knowing the cause of warts on the penis, we can conclude that this formation can appear both in adolescents who are just beginning to have sex and in the elderly.
Symptoms and types of warts on the penis
In most male patients, warts on the penis, as a rule, do not manifest themselves in any way. Often it forms in places prone to injury during intercourse. Thus, neoplasms can be found on the head, frenulum, foreskin. Less commonly, they appear on the penis and scrotum, testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like small growths of pink, beige, whiteness measuring 2-30 mm. They can become one or deviate into groups, forming neoplasms resembling chicken nests.
In the active growth phase, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can provoke itching, burning in the affected area. Also, sometimes neoplasms are felt during sexual intercourse. Under normal circumstances, this growth is painless and does not cause significant discomfort.
Often, condyloma does not affect a limited genital area, but a large area. Thus, often the warts on the head of the penis gradually spread throughout the groin area, affecting the anus.
The type of wart on the penis depends on the tension of the virus that infects the man, as well as their location.
Let's consider the main types:
- In the foreskin zone, the neoplasm has a brighter tubercles shape than the skin. Sometimes they have thin legs. Initially, a single wart appears, over time, a group of genital warts can form.
- In the frenum, the warts look like small whitish nodules with a chaotic arrangement.
- The warts on the head of the penis look like the growth of a pale little finger. Usually they form groups similar to broccoli inflorescences.
- Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors sometimes form on the penis. They are some of the warts that grow together. This is a rare but dangerous pathology that is fraught with malignant transformation, as neoplasm cells are susceptible to rapid mutations.
If there is a suspicious growth on the penis, a man should immediately see a specialist. The urologist examines and interviews the patient. In addition to the penis, a urologist must examine the scrotum, perianal area, and groin. Usually a visual examination is enough to make a diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for additional tests.
To identify pathogenic strains and the risk of oncogenicity, patients must donate blood for PCR testing. Also, if the frenum is damaged, a meat measurement procedure may be needed to determine the presence of warts in the urethra.
Keep in mind that warts on the head of the penis and scrotum may look like neoplasms with different properties. For example, papullosis in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small neoplasms. To exclude other sexually transmitted diseases, it is necessary to test for common genital infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.
Danger of warts on the penis in men
Initially, warts on the penis are an aesthetic defect of a serious pathology that threatens the health of men. But, this does not mean that they do not need to be treated. If you let the disease continue, it can cause more serious problems in the future.
The dangers of this neoplasm are as follows:
- Development of phimosis.In this condition, the foreskin merges with the head of the penis. As a result, problems may arise with normal sperm production, pathogens accumulate in the foreskin, and inflammatory processes may occur.
- Inflammation of the head, penis.This pathology is a complication of the condition described above, when bacteria penetrate under the foreskin and spread further.
- Eruption on the genitals.Often it arises as a result of systematic trauma to the warts on the penis. This happens during intercourse, shaving, wearing tight panties.
- Deterioration of neoplasms into cancerous tumors. This is rare, but there are potential dangers, especially if the warts on the penis are often damaged.
Also, do not forget that active neoplasms are dangerous in terms of infecting a partner. Moreover, condoms do not always protect a person from infection.
Methods of treatment for penile warts
Since the appearance of warts on the penis is directly related to decreased immunity in general, then the treatment of this pathology should be complex and combined. Basically, in connection with neoplasms, various methods of destruction are used. To boost immunity and suppress the virus, drugs are used.
How to get rid of warts on the penis
Instrumental and chemical exposure methods are used to remove warts on the penis. Keep in mind that these growths themselves are very rare, and therefore they should be eliminated if a man is trying to reduce the risk of complications.
There are several ways to get rid of warts on the penis:
- Laser destruction.The laser beam vaporizes the liquid from the accumulation, it dries, becomes covered with crust and falls off after a few days. As a rule, there are no traces left at the treatment site. This procedure is painless, rarely causing relapse and complications.
- Cryo Removal.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied to neoplasms and leads to subsequent clotting and death. Once processed, crusts form at the site of accumulation, which also disappears after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
- Radiosurgical removal.Neoplasms are affected by radio waves, which destroy growth tissue. This is one of the most accurate, effective and safe methods to get rid of warts on the penis. After removal of the radio wave, there are no marks on the skin.
- Electrocoagulation.At certain frequencies, a current is applied to the electrode, which damages the formation. The procedure to get rid of warts on the penis can cause burns and subsequently become scars. Therefore, it is set carefully.
- Surgical excision.If the wart on the penis is too large, then in severe cases, the technique of cutting it with a scalpel can be used. But they rarely perform such operations, as there is a risk of severe bleeding and spread of infection. Also, complete foreskin removal of the foreskin is indicated for extensive wart lesions.
Also, the doctor may prescribe chemical removal. This procedure is performed with the use of cauterizing drugs.
Before healing warts on the penis with chemicals, it is very important to consult a doctor, as these funds have a number of contraindications and their improper use threatens complications.
Remedy for penile warts
To eliminate the risk of recurrence in the head of the penis or other genital area, it is necessary to maintain increased immunity, as well as suppress the virus in the body. For this purpose, various groups of drugs are used - antiviral and immunomodulatory.
Also with HPV, it is important to stimulate the body's defense work, which for some reason is under stress. Immunity will actively fight pathogens and reduce the risk of recurrent warts on the penis.
It should be noted that drug therapy does not completely solve the problem of warts on the penis. To get rid of it, it is necessary to use instrumental techniques to eliminate growth.
Folk remedies for warts on the penis
If you are thinking of how to treat penis warts, then help is available in traditional medicine. However, remember that you should use this technique only after consulting your doctor. Taking the medication yourself is at least pointless, and in the worst case, can lead to serious complications.
The following tools are popular:
- Tea tree oil.A powerful herbal antiviral agent that helps block pathogenic activity. It is necessary to rub the material into the warts on the head of the penis several times a day, every day until its growth is completely eliminated.
- Propolis.Another natural remedy that helps fight viruses. To get rid of warts on the penis, apply the substance on the growth before bed every day for 10-14 days.
- Egg white.It is necessary to take raw protein and lubricate the neoplasm with it several times a day.
- Table vinegar.Acids actively erode pathological tissue, and therefore you need to be careful with it so as not to damage nearby healthy areas. You need to lubricate carefully and point.
- Jus Rowan.Acidic substances contain phytonutrients that have antiviral effects. Apply with freshly squeezed liquid warts on the penis daily.
The above recipe is only suitable if you know that you are dealing with HPV, and small and single neoplasms. Otherwise, you can not do without special therapy.
Prevention of warts on the penis
Timely treatment of penile warts can reduce the risk of complications and recurrence in the future. This is also a way to prevent the spread of the virus to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective preventative methods is vaccination with special polyvalent vaccination. They act against pathogens type 6, 11, 16 and 18 - much like the cause of genital warts.
Although condoms do not guarantee 100% protection against HPV, they should be used as they can reduce the risk of infection by 20-30%. Including, it protects against other sexually transmitted infections.
If a man is already infected with HPV, then it is necessary to follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of warts on the penis. It is important to suppress the deterioration of chronic diseases in a timely manner, eat properly, perform physical activities and maintain immunity in a state of "ready to fight".
If you are thinking of how to get rid of warts on the penis, see a doctor right away. Self-medication in this case can only be harmful. The procedure to get rid of neoplasms is quick and almost painless. In addition, it is important to strengthen the body's protective function so that it does not recur in the future.