Perianal genital warts - symptoms, treatment, photos.

Doctors are familiar with hundreds of subtypes of the papilloma virus.
However, among other formations caused by it, it is the flat condyloma that is studied more closely. This is due to the fact that such a growth has a decent chance of subsequently degenerating into oncology. This complication occurs if the growth is caused by a certain type of HPV, usually transmitted through sexual contact. It is strictly forbidden to ignore condylomas - they should definitely be treated. Female condylomas are called genital warts, but such growths can also develop in men.

What are condylomas?

The entire list of condylomas are growths that are flesh-colored and have the appearance of warts.

They usually develop in the following places:

Condylomas around the anus

Anal area;
Genital area.

The presence of condylomas in other places is much less often detected. The growths are dangerous because of the likelihood of their transformation into oncology. Condylomas multiply when the immune system is weakened; ultraviolet radiation provokes their development.

There are condylomas of different configurations and sizes. They usually grow to a size of several millimeters.

In women, condylomas at the initial stage of development are located at a distance relative to each other, but after active reproduction the growths merge, becoming large formations - condylomatosis develops.

Condylomas are classified into two categories:

Flat;

Flat condylomas
Pointed (exophytic).

Genital condyloma on the finger

It is easier to recognize pointed growths: they are clearly visible to the naked eye. But flat formations are much more difficult to diagnose. Therefore, as soon as a doctor during an examination discovers condylomas on the labia minora in women or on the penis of men, he is obliged to scrupulously examine the areas adjacent to the genitals.

Video about the initial stage and symptoms of condylomas

Symptoms of condylomatosis

The first time after the virus enters a woman’s body, the disease is asymptomatic. This period can take from a couple of months to several years - it all depends on the state of the immune system. Due to hormonal imbalances and weakened immunity, the virus enters a clinical form and condylomas appear in the woman’s genital area. Symptoms of condylomatosis:

itching and burning sensation in the genital area that occurs during the growth of the epithelium (5-6 hours);
the formation of noticeable genital warts of a small size, with a thin stalk, which have a bumpy structure to the touch (after the formation of formations, discomfort in the form of itching and burning disappears);
flesh-colored, light pink, crimson, red color of the outgrowths;
irritation, bleeding;
painful urination if multiple condylomas are present in the urethra;
pain during bowel movements, bleeding, itching due to formations in the rectum;
increased leucorrhoea;
putrid odor of vaginal discharge if condylomas are damaged (discharge with blood is possible, blood after sexual intercourse).

When formed on the epithelial layer of the perineum, condylomas in women do not cause any discomfort other than an unpleasant appearance. The appearance of flat neoplasms is asymptomatic, which complicates the diagnosis and prevents the appointment of immediate treatment for the subclinical form of condylomatosis; this in many cases leads to the development of oncological processes.

What are the causes of flat condylomas?

Flat condylomas on the palm
Similar to other types of warts on the body, flat condyloma also occurs on the skin. But the provocateur of its development is the papilloma virus, which has penetrated inside the body.

The cause of infection is the entry of a special virus into the body.

Provokes its penetration:

Wearing someone else's clothes;
A normal handshake with an infected person;
Stress and strong experiences that weaken the immune system;
Long-term use of birth control pills;
Promiscuous sexual contacts;
Poorly disinfected manicure or pedicure instruments after their use by strangers;
Hormonal imbalances;
Chronic pathologies, frequent infectious diseases.

According to statistics, 90% of the world's population is affected by the papilloma virus. The most dangerous pathologies include only flat condyloma, since in 5% of cases it develops into cancer.

Sexual transmission of infection is not the only way. Newborns can become infected with the virus in the womb or through the passage of the cervix affected by condylomas.

There is a high probability of developing papillomas and condylomas after infection through a household method.

Features of female pathology

Flat condylomas on the labia
In women, condylomas due to the virus often begin to develop on the labia majora or minora, and on the mucous membranes of the cervix. It is the growth on the uterus that is the most dangerous form of activation of the virus.

Such formation confirms the protracted course of the pathology, which provoked the degeneration of epithelial cells.

What do the growths look like? Uterine flat condylomas are dangerous because they are difficult to identify, even by organizing a colposcopy. When the growth is treated with acetic acid solution, the area of skin affected by the virus will turn pale.

Lugol's solution

But Lugol's solution does not stain flat condyloma. It is this unpainted zone, which has clear contours, that makes it possible to determine the exact dimensions of the formation.

Features in men

Flat condyloma develops in men on the genitals. It is impossible to detect such a formation by palpation, since it practically does not rise above the skin.

Characteristic signs of male pathology:

Flat condylomas around the testicles

Itching of the genitals;
Redness of the skin and mucous membranes;
Burning in the affected area.

The place of distribution of flat condylomas is the surface of the penis (especially its skin), the foreskin. Less commonly, growths occur in the urethra, where they are incredibly difficult to detect.

Active growth of formations causes the formation of conglomerates, after which the penis loses its natural shape. The lack of adequate treatment can provoke the development of oncology or phimosis.

How is human papillomavirus transmitted?

Sexual transmission of infection is the main route. Frequent changes of sexual partners, oral-genital and anal sex greatly increase the risk of the disease. Most often, HPV infection is registered at the age of maximum sexual activity (18 - 35 years). The frequency of registration of dysplasia and cervical cancer increases significantly after 30 years. The maximum number of sick women occurs at the age of 45 years.
Infection of a newborn can occur during childbirth from an infected mother. The disease manifests itself at the age of 5 years and is characterized by the appearance of multiple papillomas in the larynx (respiratory papillomatosis).

Important in relation to the timely diagnosis of HPV infection is the fact of a long (months and years) incubation period and often asymptomatic course of the disease.

What symptoms indicate the presence of flat condylomas?

Flat condylomas in the vagina
Female flat condylomas are difficult to identify when they are located inside the genital tract, since such growths do not manifest themselves. Only at an advanced stage of the pathology do strange discharges begin.
It is easier to detect growths in men because they are more likely to affect the foreskin of their penis. At the same time, the stronger sex is bothered by itching, inflammation of the mucous membranes and redness of the skin. When condylomas are in the urethra, going to the toilet causes a burning sensation.

Localization of condylomas lata in men and women

One of the main indicators by which a wide wart of syphilitic origin can be identified is the location of the tumors. Localization of condylomas is divided into two main groups:

general (the same for both men and women);
sexually distinctive (differential group) varies according to gender.

Dermatovenerologists refer to the following areas of the human body as the general location of a wide wart:

area around the anus;
armpits;
folds between the buttocks.

This is interesting: Genital warts in children photo

Inspection of common areas is an auxiliary measure in the process of diagnosing syphilitic warts.

It is recommended to place the main emphasis on inspecting differential zones.

Thus, women are advised to pay special attention to the development of tumors in the following areas:

area of the labia majora and minora;
clitoris;
area around the urethra;
frenulum near the labia;
vaginal walls;
hymen;
Cervix.

As a rule, a woman can only examine the external genitalia. To examine the internal part, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist or dermatovenerologist.

Men should focus on the condition of the skin in such areas of their genitals as:

foreskin;
frenulum under the head of the penis;
head;
top of the head;
area around the urethra;
scrotum.

It is important to remember that in the case of sexual transmission, both sexual partners must be examined. If wide warts are detected in one of the partners, there is a high probability that these neoplasms will also be detected in the other. With household transmission, the situation is the same.

If during a self-examination suspicious formations of an atypical, growing nature are detected, contacting a medical facility should be done immediately.

Diagnostics

To find out what type of growth is present in a person (exophytic or flat condyloma), a diagnosis of the pathology is necessary.

This requires the following research:

PCR diagnostics
Examination of the patient’s skin and mucous membranes.
Colposcopy. The study allows us to identify flat condylomas inside the female genital tract, on the uterine cervix.
Anoscopy.
Examination by a gynecologist using mirrors.
PCR diagnostics. Identifies the causative agent of the disease. The analysis is important because it can detect other serious pathologies.
Urine and blood analysis.
Biopsy. Prescribed if there is a suspicion of cancer.

How to distinguish wide from pointed

Unfortunately, many patients know what genital warts look like, since the human papillomavirus has infected more than 80% of the world's population and almost half of all infected people suffer from this very manifestation.

Condylomatosis can be distinguished from syphilitic warts by their development and shape. It’s not for nothing that genital warts are called genital warts – they have a characteristic elongated shape.

Syphilitic condylomas have a significant area of fusion with the skin, are flatter and covered with a characteristic coating with a high content of the causative agent of the disease.

What are the treatment options for condylomas planus?

The most common methods of treating growths are:

Electrodestruction
Cryotherapy. Freezing flat condylomas with liquid nitrogen is performed. The tissue dies after the procedure, and the unwanted growth disappears on its own.
Laser therapy. Flat condyloma is irradiated with a laser beam, which destroys pathological tissue.
Electrical destruction. Flat condylomas are cauterized with electric current. The disadvantage of this method is that scars remain after the intervention.
Chemical destruction. They use potent drugs such as Solcoderm, Condilin or Fereson. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not always effective.
Radio wave therapy
Radio wave therapy. The Surgitron device is used. Its effect does not leave scars on the skin.
Argon plasma ablation. The procedure has several advantages, the main ones being non-contact manipulation and the inability to damage the uterine cervix. Patients tolerate the operation easily.
Antisyphilitic drugs. Used in the medical treatment of flat condylomas.

Drug treatment

To destroy the papilloma virus, the patient is prescribed antiviral drugs.

The most effective among them are:

Cycloferon
Viferon. The active component of the ointment is interferon. It is recommended to treat the affected areas with the product several times a day. The drug has minimal contraindications and allows you to get rid of flat condylomas in a week. For internal growths, it is advisable to use rectal suppositories of the same name for pathology.
Cycloferon. Available in ampoules for injection. The product strengthens the immune system and helps resist viral attacks.
Acyclovir
Bleomycin. The action of the drug is aimed at suppressing the viability of the virus. A drug is prescribed against the development of various tumors.
Isoprinosine. The drug inhibits the virus, stopping its development, and strengthens the immune system.
Acyclovir. An antiviral drug used to treat patients of different age categories. Changes the DNA of pathological cells. Disadvantage: it is addictive, so the treatment course should not last more than 10 days.
Feresol. A cauterizing liquid that destroys protein compounds in affected cells. To remove small growths, it is enough to lubricate flat condylomas with the drug once. Caution is required as there is a high risk of burns.

It is advisable to carry out therapy for flat condylomas in a hospital setting. Although there are home recipes for removing growths, their components can only affect visible areas of the lesion.

It is difficult for the patient to get to hidden areas on his own, and there is a high probability of infection, which will provoke the development of the inflammatory process.

Removal

To diagnose genital warts, an in-person examination by a dermatovenereologist and a smear examination using PCR to determine the type of human papillomavirus are required. Indications for removal are only in case of high oncogenic risk or cosmetic defect.

Today, there are a huge variety of options for removing genital warts, ranging from physical impact to the use of chemicals. The method is selected based on the location of the formation and its size. Most often the following procedures are used:

Cryodestruction. In the case of genital warts, removal with liquid nitrogen is considered the most effective and painless. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes. The price for removing one condyloma ranges from 100 to 200 hryvnia or 300-500 rubles.
Surgical excision. To begin with, the formations are scraped out using a sharp Volkmann spoon; if there is no effect, surgical excision is performed using a scalpel. The price for removing one wart starts from 100 hryvnia or 300 rubles.
Laser removal. Today it is considered one of the most effective methods, but not the most accessible. Removing one condyloma measuring 5-8 mm will cost 500-700 hryvnia or 1000-1500 rubles. The duration of the procedure is 3-5 minutes.
Electrocoagulation. It is considered a rather painful but effective procedure for removing warts up to 8 mm in size. Depending on the pain threshold and tolerance, an anesthetic is selected. The duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes. The price for removing one formation ranges from 100 hryvnia or 300 rubles to 500 UAH or 1500 rubles. depending on size.

It is important to remember that whatever method of removing genital warts you choose is only a temporary solution to a cosmetic problem. No matter how much money you pay or what removal method you choose, there is no guarantee that they will not start appearing again after some time. Therefore, complex treatment is carried out using destructive removal of warts and antiviral therapy.

What complications can occur due to flat condylomas?

Possible complication of condylomas on the penis
Complications include the likelihood of new appearances of flat condylomas after their removal. However, the greatest danger is the change in cells due to exposure to the virus when they begin to form carcinoma.

This malignant form of pathology affects 7% of patients who have flat condylomas. A similar complication is caused by cancer of the cervix or penis.

Other complications include:

Possible complications of condylomas in the vagina
The average form of the pathology provokes general weakness, the affected areas cause a burning sensation;
The growth of flat condylomas on the uterine cervix causes changes in the basal epithelium of the organ;
An advanced disease causes multiple growths to join together, after which the formation rots, infecting the body.

Therapy

To eliminate condylomas, complex treatment is required. The first stage is removal, the second is the fight against the virus. The problem is that any condylomas often recur.

The most common methods of therapy:

Laser therapy. The most effective way to combat pathology. The procedure is completely safe and without side effects. Healthy tissues are not exposed to the laser beam. The possibility of leaving scars is minimal.
Cryodestruction. Removal is carried out with liquid nitrogen. Exposure to low temperatures leads to the death of unwanted formations. The procedure is performed without anesthesia and is easily tolerated by the patient.
Chemical removal. Neoplasms are treated with drugs that cause tissue necrosis. The method has some contraindications and is strictly prohibited during pregnancy.
Electrocoagulation. Condylomas are eliminated using electrical current. But the method has lost its relevance due to the duration and painfulness of the manipulations. In addition, it has many contraindications.
Radiosurgery. The method is non-contact, which ensures an incision without affecting healthy skin. The radio knife, as it were, seals the vessels. No pain or other unpleasant phenomena. Healing is very fast, no scars remain.
Surgical removal. Conservative but effective way. Always performed with local anesthesia. After the operation, the wound will have to be sutured.

In addition to removal, antiviral drugs are prescribed: rectal suppositories and tablets.

ADVICE: The use of suppositories is necessary when condylomas are localized on the genitals. They stop the growth and spread of condylomas.

The tablets stimulate the immune system, positively affecting the production of interferon.

Traditional recipes are also used to combat condylomas. This is not always safe, but some remedies can be used.

The most common, time-tested recipes:

cauterization with iodine;
propolis;
tincture of garlic and onion;
rowan compresses;
egg white.

Before self-treatment, you should definitely consult a specialist.

In most cases, diagnosing genital warts is not difficult: the doctor can make a diagnosis after examining and interviewing the patient.

In cases where the neoplasms are internally localized, a colposcopy is performed and an analysis is prescribed to detect the virus using the PCP method.

This study helps to identify the volume of condylomatosis and the specific type of virus. Also, if cancer is suspected, a biopsy is performed.

What is the prognosis for the development of flat condylomas?

Urethral infection caused by condylomas
Such neoplasms impair sexual life and significantly interfere with hygienic procedures. During such activities, it is easy to touch the growth, after which an infection is introduced into the resulting wound.

When flat condyloma is not removed in a timely manner, it spreads throughout the body.

Possible complications

Lack of treatment for fast-growing tumors has serious consequences:

inflammation;
the appearance of cracks in the condyloma, which will cause bleeding;
the course of labor is complicated;
huge risk of cancer formation.

With proper treatment, the prognosis is very optimistic, but even removal does not always guarantee absolute recovery. With weak immunity, the disease may recur.

After removal of condyloma, complications may occur in the form of bleeding, narrowing of the cervical canal (with laser treatment). Chemical cauterization can leave scars, and there is a high risk of relapse of the disease. If the removal procedure was carried out by an inexperienced doctor, the following complications are possible: infection in the tissue, damage to healthy areas of the skin, and suppuration.

Reasons for appearance

“What causes condylomas?” - a question that worries patients with a similar problem. The route of infection with condylomas is through unprotected sexual contact. Moreover, these include traditional intimate relationships, as well as oral, anal and homosexual relationships. Children get the disease from sick women while moving through the birth canal. Do not be negligent about household methods of infection. There is no need to take risks and use other people’s personal belongings, especially bath accessories (washcloth, towel, flip flops, etc.). Condylomas are activated under the influence of certain factors:

indiscriminate unprotected sex;
early onset of intimate relationships;
sexual contacts with partners with condylomas or HPV carriers;
decreased immune abilities of the body;
previous diseases of the genital tract;
frequent stress, vitamin deficiency;
sloppiness and failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.

The appearance of genital warts is often associated with HPV. Human papillomavirus infection poses a great danger for the development of cancer. Condylomas of this etiology are the object of study and treatment by doctors of different specializations: in women - by gynecologists, in men - by urologists. If the location of condylomas is in the anal area, then a proctologist leads the patients. You should definitely consult about genital warts, because the development of the disease can occur in a variety of ways - from self-healing to the degeneration of condylomas into malignant formations. The specialists of the Global Clinic Center have accumulated positive experience in solving such problems, so contacting the clinic is a prerequisite for successful treatment of the patient.

Kinds

There are 3 types of condylomas of the anogenital area:

Genital warts are a group with a low risk of oncogenicity. The incubation period of the disease ranges from several weeks to six months. They look like warty formations on a thin stalk, reminiscent of cauliflower in structure. The color of these growths can vary from flesh-colored to red. In addition, condylomas of this type can exist either in a single form or in the form of extensive multiple growths. With constant trauma, the size of the growth can reach 3-5 cm in diameter, and secondary infection and ulceration of condylomas are also possible.
Flat condylomas are mainly located on the cervix, in its thickness; their localization is also typical for the walls of the vagina. This is the most potentially dangerous type in terms of malignant degeneration, since it is most often caused by papillomavirus types 16 and 18.
Lata (papular) condylomas are warty formations on a wide stalk, prone to maceration. They are a secondary manifestation of syphilis; this type of condylomas has nothing to do with the action of HPV.

Flat warts on the face of a child: treatment

Flat warts do not cause any particular problems and do not require immediate treatment. As practice shows, warts in children go away on their own. Therefore, if the child feels calm, it is best to wait for the growths to disappear on their own. The advantage will be that there will be no visible scars or cicatrices on the face.

It should be understood that the child may be afraid of mechanical removal of warts. Therefore, it is best to wait for education to take place on its own. Self-medication of a child is unacceptable, as it can lead to a chemical burn or the development of infection.

However, you still need to know how to remove flat warts on a child’s face. In combination with ointments against warts, it is necessary to use drugs that increase immune function.

If you want to get a quick effect from treatment, using a laser, current or liquid nitrogen would be a suitable method. If the session does not cause pain, then the area must be treated with a local anesthetic.

The removal procedure itself does not last long. After the removal session is completed, you should consult your doctor about further treatment. He will tell you how to get rid of scars.