Are White Warts Around the Anus from HPV?

The anus is one of the areas to which we pay the least attention since, except for moments of hygiene, we usually do not touch it and obviously cannot see it.

However, it can present genital warts that are related to different types of human papillomavirus (HPV).

Anogenital warts: what they are and why they appear

Condylomas or anal warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

They are often present in the genital area simultaneously, which is why they are sometimes referred to as anogenital.

Traditionally, any lump or bump felt in the anus is usually attributed to hemorrhoids, as it is the most well-known anal alteration.

Since anal warts are potentially carcinogenic, when you detect any lesion in your anus, you should consult a specialist, a general surgeon, or a proctologist, who will determine the cause of the lesion.

As a general rule, warts appear after having sexual contact, both vaginal and anal, with a person infected with HPV.

The oral route, although less common, can also transmit the virus. Therefore, it is advised to use barrier methods if you decide to practice oral sex. A condom or a sheet of latex in the mouth are the most used methods.

Most patients affected by anal warts have associated conditions that lead to immunosuppression.

About 40 types of HPV infect the anal area. There are low-risk ones, which are associated with anal warts, and high-risk ones, which generate anal dysplasias that eventually turn into cancer.

How to know if I have HPV in the anus?

It is possible that a person infected with HPV has no symptoms during the first years. These appear when the disease is more advanced.

The warning signs to consider, which could suggest the appearance of anal warts, are:

Flattened warts around the anus or genital area.
Appearance of small flesh-colored bumps.
Pink or grayish color in the areas of the skin affected by the virus.
Multiple warts forming clusters or with a cauliflower appearance.
The anal area presents more moisture than normal.
Persistent bad smell in the anus despite proper hygiene.
Mucous secretion after defecation.
Feeling of permanent itchiness.
Small areas of bleeding in advanced cases.

Remember that anal warts have a high risk of cancer, so if you detect one or several of the above warning signs, you should immediately consult a specialist.

How are anal warts diagnosed?

Initially, the diagnosis is made by the specialist’s examination of the affected area, whether it is the surgeon, proctologist, or even a dermatologist.

It is important to look for lesions in the genital area that may be related to HPV, in both men and women.

Warts are much easier to see on the penis, as the folds and the inside of the vagina can sometimes hide them.

An anoscopy, a simple examination that consists of visualizing the inside of the anus using an anal speculum, is necessary. It is not painful, so it does not require anesthesia.

Since anal warts appear after sexual contact, it is essential to evaluate the possibility that another sexually transmitted disease coexists.

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

How are anal condylomas treated?

It is a priority to remove the warts as soon as possible, as they grow and multiply quickly. Do not forget that anal warts cause anal cancer.

The available treatment options are:

Topical medication, using drugs applied directly to the lesion, such as 0.5% podophyllin. Warts inside the anus do not respond to this treatment.
Trichloroacetic acid, which is a chemical substance applied directly to the wart and allows its elimination. It is a treatment exclusively applied by the doctor in the office.
Cryotherapy or freezing, using liquid nitrogen.
Laser therapy that burns the warts.
Cauterization, which is the removal of warts using a small probe that transmits electric current.
Surgical resection, the preferred option when there are many warts or they are large. It is also the option for internal warts.

Keep in mind that for the results to be completely satisfactory, the above options must be combined.

The recurrence rate of anal warts is high, so the recommendation is to combine treatments and closely follow up with the doctor, mainly in the first three months after treatment.

Anal warts that are not HPV

Other anal alterations can produce lesions that are confused with anal warts. Consider the following:

Anal warts due to hemorrhoids

These are the most common anal lesions. They appear due to increased rectal pressure associated with constipation. It is not uncommon for them to cause bleeding.

Although most hemorrhoids are internal, in some cases they can be located on the outside of the anus, as small bumps. They are painful and can cause itching in the anal area.

Warts associated with anal fissures

Anal fissures are tears in the anal mucosa. Being wounds, they are easily infected with fecal matter, becoming inflamed and generating small bumps that resemble warts.

It is incorrect to classify them as warts, as they correspond to small areas of fibrosis and thickening resulting from the healing of wounds.

Anal warts due to abscesses

Anorectal or perianal abscesses also cause lesions that can be confused with warts.

In this case, the lesions are accumulations of pus in the anal glands that generate small bumps.

They are caused by bacteria that infect anal fissures and are usually found in feces.

As you can see, given the multiple causes of anal warts, it is crucial that once you detect any abnormality in your anal area, you consult your doctor.

Lastly… what should you do if you have HPV?