Human papillomavirus is a DNA virus that affects the skin. Normal treatment for human papillomavirus includes the use of broad antiviral medications, but there is no specific “cure” for this infection. In fact, the human body appears to lower HPV to undetectable levels in the body, effectively clearing it up by itself. However, there can be resurgences in HPV in the first two years after symptoms have been “diminished”. However, given that premalignant lesions from high-risk HPV varieties can significantly increase the chances of cervical cancer, it should not be taken lightly. You should regularly consult with a medical professional, particularly if you believe that you have been infected, and if you detect warts or other lesions.
Some antiviral products are in development, but due to the natural way that HPV can often be cleared up, home remedies are often recommended. So let us look at some of the home remedies for HPV.
Symptoms
HPV may not cause symptoms at once, but they can appear years later. Some types can lead to warts, while others can cause cancer.
Warts
Common symptoms of some types of HPV are warts, especially genital warts.
Genital warts may appear as a small bump, cluster of bumps, or stem-like protrusions. They commonly affect the vulva in women, or possibly the cervix, and the penis or scrotum in men. They may also appear around the anus and in the groin.
They can range in size and appearance and be large, small, flat, or cauliflower shaped, and may be white or flesh tone.
Other warts associated with HPV include common warts, plantar, and flat warts.
Common warts - rough, raised bumps most commonly found on the hands, fingers, and elbows.
Plantar warts - described as hard, grainy growths on the feet; they most commonly appear on the heels or balls of the feet.
Flat warts - generally affect children, adolescents, and young adults; they appear as flat-topped, slightly raised lesions that are darker than normal skin color and are most commonly found on the face, neck, or areas that have been scratched.
Cancer
Other types of HPV can increase the risk of developing cancer. These cancers include cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx, or the base of the tongue and tonsils. It may take years or decades for cancer to develop.
Causes
HPV is a virus that is passed skin-to-skin through sexual intercourse or other forms of skin-to-skin contact of the genitals.
While most HPV infections are benign, causing warts on areas of the body including the hands, feet, and genitals, there are certain strains that put a person at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers.
HPV can infect anyone who is sexually active; many times, infected individuals are asymptomatic, meaning they display no symptoms of the virus.
Although most HPV infections resolve themselves, sometimes, they can remain dormant and later infect a new or existing sexual partner.
HPV can be transmitted to the infant during birth; this can cause a genital or respiratory system infection.
It is important to note that the strains of HPV that cause warts are different from the group of HPV strains that cause cancer.
Treatment
Different types of HPV will have different symptoms. HPV viruses can lead to genital warts and cancer.
There is no treatment for the virus, but the symptoms can be treated.
Prevention is through the HPV vaccine.
Warts
Warts that result from HPV will often resolve without treatment.
However, there are medications that can be applied to the skin to remove the wart itself; these include over-the-counter (OTC) salicylic acid for common warts.
Prescription medications include:
- Podophyllin (chemical applied by a doctor)
- Imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara)
- Podofilox (Condylox)
- Trichloroacetic acid (chemical applied by a doctor)
In certain situations, surgical interventions may be necessary and include:
- Cryotherapy: This method uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the abnormal areas.
- Electrocautery: Electrical current is used to burn the abnormal areas.
- Laser therapy: A light beam removes unwanted tissue.
- Interferon injection: This is rarely used due to the high risk of side effects and cost.
- Surgical removal
It is important to speak with a doctor about which treatment is best, depending on the type and location of the wart being treated.
It is also important to note that, although warts and cellular changes may be removed or resolved, the virus can remain in the body and can be passed to others. There is no treatment to remove the virus from the body.