1. Prescription Medications
Anal warts, or genital warts found in the anal region, are a result of a sexually transmitted disease, the human papillomavirus (HPV). Genital warts can grow in any moist region on your body that is exposed to the virus. While the underlying virus cannot be destroyed medically (your immune system must fight it off), the warts can be treated. There are several prescription medications doctors use to get rid of anal warts. Imiquimod (sold as Aldara) works to enhance your body's immune system so it can fight off the infection and destroy the warts. It comes in a cream preparation that is applied directly to the warts. Podofilox (sold as Condylox) is a topical medication that erodes genital warts. It can only be used externally. Finally, TCA is an acid that is applied by a doctor to burn off the warts chemically on contact. All of these medications typically require multiple applications.
2. Medical Procedures
There are several medical procedures you can choose from to treat anal warts. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze off anal warts. This usually requires several treatments, but eventually your warts should die and fall off. Sometimes cryotherapy is combined with TCA. Electrocautery procedures involve burning off warts with an electrical current. These procedures usually do not require additional treatments. Similarly, infrared coagulation also destroys the warts and can be done in one session, but it uses a different source of heat. This procedure may be easier to recover from than electrocautery. Finally, you can choose to have anal warts cut off surgically with a laser or a scalpel. Except for cyrotherapy, these treatments can cause small ulcerations where the wart is removed. These ulcerations can cause pain and discomfort, particularly when you have a bowel movement. Soaking in a warm bath can help with that discomfort and speed healing.
3. Alternative Treatments
Because the medications and procedures for treating anal warts can be expensive, you may want to try out some alternative treatments at home. One of the main alternative treatments proposed on the Internet is apple cider vinegar. This can be applied using a cotton ball and holding it in place for at least 1 hour. The treatment should be repeated until the warts fall off, which could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Vitamin E oil and juice from onions, garlic and figs are also recommended online. Before using these alternatives to treat your anal warts, talk to your doctor. You don't want to leave any genital warts too long, because in rare cases they can become cancerous.
