Selecting Genital Warts Cream
The most common genital warts cream that a doctor will recommend is Imiquimod. This genital warts cream is thought to work by assisting the bodies immune system in fighting off the viruses including the human papillomavirus or HPV that is the most common cause of genital warts. Imiquimod will also help to shrink the warts.
Imiquimod is a genital warts cream that is only available by prescription, but you can apply it at home yourself. Before going to bed you will apply it to genital warts three times a week. After you apply the genital warts cream you should wash your hand thoroughly. Leave the cream on for six to ten hours before washing it off. This genital warts cream can be used until the warts disappear or for up to four months.
For external warts this genital warts cream is the most likely medical treatment that a professional will recommend. Before you can use it at home a medical professional will have to teach you how to apply it. It is unknown yet if this genital warts cream can be safe to use for pregnant women or for children under the age of twelve. In the United States this genital warts cream has only been approved by the FDA for people over the age of twelve.
Benefits and Side Effects
With Imiquimod it has been reported that most warts will go away during the four moths of treatment. The Imiquimod five percent compound is more effective than the one percent compound. After completing treatment most recurrences will happen within a period of two weeks. The most common side effects associated with this genital warts cream are mild and can include skin redness, flaking of the skin, swelling and scabs.
What To Consider
You should always wash your hands after apply the cream since it can cause skin irritation. While using genital warts cream you should avoid sexual contact. The cream can also weaken condoms and diaphragms. There is also the chance that it can irritate your partner's skin or rub off during sex.
For the duration of treatment the cost can become quite expensive and some insurance won't cover it. Treating genital warts with Imiquimod will not cure the HPV infection that caused the genital warts. The virus will remain in the body in an inactive state even after the warts disappear. This means you can still spread the infection to others. To reduce the risk of HPV infection condoms will help but it is unknown exactly how much protection they provide.