What Cures Anal Warts?

Overview

Anal warts are a type of sexually transmitted disease that are especially prevalent among homosexual men. Anal warts are caused by an infection from the human papillomavirus, which is also able to cause genital warts. This virus can cause small growths to appear around the anus on the skin and occasionally within the anal cavity. The warts can be effectively treated using topical medications or removed by a physician.

Step 1

Place a small amount of imiquimod cream on your fingertips. Gently rub the cream into the warts and the surrounding skin. Use a mirror if you have a hard time finding the warts. Leave the cream on for six to 10 hours before washing it off with soap and water. Apply the cream three nights a week, on alternating nights.

Step 2

Apply other topical medications. These may include ointments containing podophyllin and bichloracetic acid. Although these are not available in pharmacies, a trained medical professional can apply these solutions to the warts, which damage the wart's tissue and cause the wart to fall off.

Step 3

Receive cryotherapy. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen or a special instrument (called a cryoprobe) to freeze the wart, causing it to die and fall off. Cryotherapy can be performed by a dermatologist or other specialist and is often used because of its minimal side effects.

Step 4

Treat the warts with electrodessication. Electrodessication, which can only be performed by a physician, uses an electric current to burn the warts. One side effect of this procedure, however, is the potential for the smoke (that is created by the burning of the wart) to cause warts to appear in other areas.

Step 5

Have the warts surgically removed. A surgeon can remove the warts using a scalpel or other sharp object. Although this treatment is effective, it may not be appropriate for large warts and also carries a risk of infection.

Step 6

Get laser therapy. Laser therapy involves burning off the warts with a laser and may be used to treat large and recurring anal warts. This procedure may involve general anesthesia (which makes the patient unconscious), can take weeks to heal, and it can leave scars.