Can Genital Warts Spread to Other Parts of the Body?

One of the symptoms of some types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) are genital warts. Although they most commonly appear on the sexual organs, many people wonder if they can present in other parts of the body.

Learn in detail where these bumps can appear and recommendations to prevent them.

Índice

1 How contagious are genital warts?
2 How is human papillomavirus contracted on the hands?
3 What should I avoid if I have genital warts?
4 Home Remedies
5 Creams
6 Surgical Treatments

How contagious are genital warts?

Genital warts are very contagious, they can be transmitted not only through sexual relations (anal, oral, or vaginal), but also by direct contact with the skin of an infected person.

An important aspect to keep in mind is that a person carrying the virus can infect another, even if they no longer have the genital wart.

The skin infection caused by HPV appears on the sexual organs and moist areas around them. For example: vagina, penis, vulva, anus, cervix, among others. It can also manifest on the hands, elbows, and feet.

How is human papillomavirus contracted on the hands?

The human papillomavirus is contracted on the hands through direct skin-to-skin contact with the genital wart. The virus enters through any wound, scratch, or cut on the skin.

Similarly, hands can be infected with HPV indirectly, through the use of swimming pools or personal objects (towels, gloves, among others), as long as the contact is recent.

Not everyone who becomes infected with HPV develops the wart. Many researchers claim that it is unlikely that HPV will be transmitted from the hands to the genital area.

What should I avoid if I have genital warts?

If you have genital warts, the first thing you should do is talk to your partner so they can take precautions. It is also important to visit a health specialist. Likewise, we recommend avoiding the following:

Avoid sexual intercourse with your partner. Both parties should bear in mind that using condoms or oral latex barriers reduces the possibility of transmission, but it is not 100% safe.
Don’t touch, scratch, or try to pull off the wart, otherwise the virus will spread.
Apply appropriate hygiene measures both on the skin and on clothing. Remember that the virus remains from 24 to 72 hours at room temperature on fabric.
Don’t shave the area where you have the wart, if necessary use an electric razor.

These were some tips to help you know how to deal with HPV. However, there is much more you need to do if you really want to get rid of HPV and warts forever.

What you need to do is GET RID OF THE ROOT of the problem.

For that reason, I recommend you to look into Dr. Kirkland's story and how he was able to cure HPV and get rid of warts for good.

Click here to see what he did

Home Remedies

Although there are many medical treatments for genital warts, there are also some home remedies that can help you alleviate the discomfort they produce. Let’s get to know some of them.

1. Garlic

To treat the wart, you should crush a clove of garlic until it forms a paste. Then, place it on the bump and cover it with a sterilized bandage.

Leave it on all night and remove it with plenty of water. This treatment should be performed until the wart falls off.

You should also eat garlic every day to boost your immune system. In this way, you will provide your body with the necessary tools to cure HPV for good.

2. Aloe Vera

Take an aloe vera leaf and cut off a piece of skin. Let a bit of gel fall on the genital wart. Let it act for about 15 minutes and remove it with water. Repeat the treatment twice a day.

3. Carrot

Grate the carrot and form a paste by adding a little olive oil. Place on the wart for 30 minutes. Repeat the treatment twice a day for 2 or 3 weeks.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Given that apple cider vinegar is made with acetic acid, it has properties to remove genital warts. You only need to take a cotton ball soaked with the liquid and apply it on the bump. Leave it on all night and remove it in the morning. Repeat for several days.

5. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is one of the best-known remedies for removing genital warts. Put a little tea tree oil on a cotton ball. We recommend previously diluting it with a little water to avoid skin irritation.

Apply this solution at least 2 times a day. For better action, place the cotton on the wart at night and cover it with a bandage. Remove it in the morning with water.

6. Baking Soda

There are different natural remedies for removing warts that are based on baking soda. But the best-known one is made with baking soda and white vinegar.

Form a paste by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda, a little water, and two tablespoons of vinegar. Apply it to the bump and leave it on all night. Repeat the treatment 3 times a week.

Creams

One of the treatments indicated to eliminate or stop the growth of genital warts are creams. They should be applied as per medical prescription.

There are several options for creams, depending on their composition. Here are the most commonly used ones:

1. Imiquimod-based

It should be applied every night and left to act for a period of up to 10 hours. The treatment is repeated 3 times a week. Some commercial names of this cream are:

Aldara: Indicated for application in the genital area and around the anus.
Mandikoz: external genital and perianal warts.
Quimara-1: external genital and perianal warts.
Resmodin: genital warts, perianal and actinic keratosis.

2. Based on Podophyllin and Podofilox

It is a plant-based extract indicated for the treatment of external genital warts. It is not recommended for pregnant patients. It can be found under the commercial name: Condylox and Wartec.

3. Based on sinecatechins

It is a plant-based extract, specifically from green tea leaves. It is indicated for the topical treatment of external perianal and genital warts in immunocompetent patients over 18 years old. Commercial name: Veregen.

Most of the creams for removing genital warts are contraindicated in pregnant women or during lactation, patients with certain pathologies, and children under 3 years old.

Surgical Treatments

In case the creams and home remedies have not served to eliminate the genital warts, you have another option to remove them. You can opt for the following surgical treatments:

Laser: An intense beam of light is applied to the wart. Depending on the size of the bump and the location area, local or general anesthesia can be used. The treatment requires several sessions.
Electrocautery: The tissue of the wart is cauterized or destroyed using a probe with electric current.
Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze the wart’s tissue. Depending on the size and location, it must go through several cycles of freezing and thawing. Once the skin heals, the lesion falls off.
Surgical excision: The wart is surgically removed by excising it with a scalpel.