Genital Warts Treatment: Destruction/Excision Therapies
Liquid Nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen exists at minus 196 centigrade. This freezes water inside cells causing cell death It is applied either with a large Q-tip or sprayed on to the wart and surrounding skin.
- Advantage - fast and easy to use.
- Disadvantage - painful, causes blistering and inflammation. Risks scarring but it is small.Permanent loss of pigment cells giving white patches can occur.
Repeat treatments usually required. The recurrent rate for genital warts following this type of treatment is between 40 and 74%. This is the most commonly used treatment.
Trichloracetic Acid
This is an acid in a liquid form. It is applied directly on to the wart. It denatures cellular protein,killing the skin cells.
- Advantage - It is quick and easy to apply usually on a q-tip. Clears warts about 60-70% It can be used in pregnant women as it does not penetrate the skin.
- Disadvantage - painful and burns on application. The liquid can run away from the local site of application. It may need repeat treatment. It can ulcerate the skin causing scars or loss of skin of pigment.
Electrosurgery
Electosurgery is used to cuaterize the wart through heat.It is usually applied directly on to the skin using a metal needle.
- Advantage - works on small protruding warts. Fast treatment that usually results in less inflammation compared with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy.
- Disadvantage - has to be administered by a doctor. Can only be used on small warts. Frequently local anesthetics have to be used. It causes a plume of burnt tissue or smoke which may be hazardous to inhale.
Ablative Laser Therapy
Ablative laser surgery is usually performed using a CO2 laser.This laser light is absorbed by water in the skin tissue.This results in vapourizing the wart tissue.
- Advantage - This is a good destructve technique if there is a large area to be treated.
- Disadvantage - It is relatively expensive therapy expensive therapy Scarring can occur. There is a plume of vapour which may contain PHV particles that can be potentially inhaled so an effective evacuation system is needed.
Excision by Scissor, Scalpel or Curetting
coming soon ...
Genital Warts Treatment:
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