1. Decide Whether to Treat Genital Warts
Genital warts are a common manifestations of a benign HPV infection. The warts that appear in the genital area look nearly identical to the warts you might get on other parts of your body (though some genital warts are below the surface, so you can't see them). These warts are harmless and most of them require no treatment. However, many people with this condition choose to treat the genital warts for cosmetic reasons or to relieve discomfort caused by their positioning. When you elect to treat genital warts, your doctor may apply a topical medication. He may also destroy the warts with a laser or freeze them off with liquid nitrogen.
2. Test the Lesions
HPV can cause numerous benign lesions to form on different parts of your body. The genitals are the most common site, but benign HPV lesions can also form on the tongue, tonsils, soft palate and nose. Lesions are areas of pre-cancerous cells, and in most cases they return to normal on their own. To determine if your lesions are likely to turn cancerous or return to normal, your doctor test some cells within the lesions. If it's determined that the lesions are of the kind that usually correct themselves, no further action is required in most cases.
3. Treat Other Warts
Warts on other parts of your body besides your genitals may result from HPV. You may get common warts (usually appearing on the hands and fingers), flat warts (usually appearing on your face, arms or knees) or plantar warts (appearing on the bottoms of your feet). In most cases, only plantar warts cause any significant discomfort. Because of this, you may want to leave the warts alone. However, if your warts discomfort you or if their appearance distresses you, treat them yourself at home with the wart removing kits sold in many drugstores. If your warts don't respond to home treatment, your dermatologist can remove them with lasers or liquid nitrogen.
