Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)

Home Treatment

Home treatments may not cure genital warts. However, a health professional may prescribe medicine that you can use at home, such as podophyllotoxin. lotion or gel or imiquimod cream.

Caution: Do not use non-prescription wart removal products to treat genital warts. These products are not intended for the genital area and may cause serious burning.

You can use at-home care to feel more comfortable.⁶

• Take sitz baths. Fill a tub with a few inches of warm water and sit in it for 10 or 15 minutes every day.
• Squeeze warm water from a bottle over your genital area to provide comfort and cleansing.
• Use a heat lamp or a hair dryer several times a day to dry your genital area. Make sure to hold the lamp or dryer at least 18 inches from your skin.

Finding out that you have genital warts may cause you to have negative thoughts or feelings about yourself or about sex. Some of these include:

• Feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
• Being afraid of the consequences of the infection.
• Being angry at the person who infected you.
• Feeling frustrated with treatment or the recurrence of warts.
• Feeling scared to have sexual intercourse.

It is important to remember that most infections are minor, without serious complications. Some cases of genital warts disappear without treatment, although human papillomavirus (HPV) will still be present in your body's cells.

Most male sex partners of women with genital warts also are infected with warts. Many men are unaware they have genital warts because the warts are so small. Warts are often treated if they are large or cause pain or bleeding. There is no evidence that treating an infected male partner lowers the risk of a woman developing genital warts after her warts are treated.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Carrie Henley Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: November 16, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.