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Grand Strand Dermatology, LLC

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9400 Frontage Road (Hwy 17 Bypass)

Murrell Inlet, SC 29576

(843) 215-1100

933 Medical Circle

Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

(843) 215-1100

843-215-1211

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  • Genital Warts

Genital Warts

  • Created in Pamphlets

Genital warts are warts that form in the genital area. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) in people who are infected with this virus. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Only a few types of HPV can cause genital warts.

HOW DO PEOPLE GET GENITAL WARTS?

People get genital warts through sexual contact. HPV can spread during sex, oral sex, or genital-to-genital contact. An HPV-infected person can pass HPV to both opposite- and same-sex partners.

Not everyone who has the virus develops warts. It is possible to spread or get these warts even when you cannot see them. Some HPV-infected people do not know that they carry the virus because they never develop genital warts.

It is important for people with genital warts to tell their partners before sexual contact.

Genital Warts
Genital Warts

WHAT DO GENITAL WARTS LOOK LIKE?

Some people who get genital warts get a single wart; more often, a group of warts appears. These warts may look like

small bumps scattered on the skin or a cluster that resembles cauliflower.

Most genital warts are:

  • skin-colored or a bit darker
  • raised or flat
  • smooth or rough to the touch
  • varying in size

Sometimes the warts itch, burn, or bleed.

WHO GETS GENITAL WARTS?

Approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. Another 14 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that most sexually active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.

Most people who become infected with HPV do not know it. They never develop genital warts because their body’s immune system naturally starts fighting the virus, so they never have any signs or symptoms. This is why an infected person can spread the virus to sexual partners without realizing it.

People who have a weakened immune system may not be able to fight the virus. A person’s immune system can be weakened by a medical condition such as cancer or HIV. Some medicines, such as those taken to prevent organ rejection for transplant patients, also weaken a person’s immune system.

When the body cannot fight HPV, genital warts can develop. These warts may not appear for weeks or months after

sexual contact with an infected person.

While rare, a pregnant woman who has genital HPV can pass the virus to her baby during delivery.

DO GENITAL WARTS ONLY APPEAR IN THE GENITAL AREA?

Genital warts most often appear for women in the external genitalia and for men on the penis, scrotum and thighs. In addition, warts can also form inside the vagina, anus, mouth, or throat.

HOW DOES A DERMATOLOGIST DIAGNOSE GENITAL WARTS?

A dermatologist will examine the warts during an office visit. Sometimes a dermatologist will remove a wart or part of it and send it to a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.

Genital Warts
Genital Warts

HOW ARE GENITAL WARTS TREATED?

Dermatologists offer several treatments for genital warts. To choose the best treatment for the patient, a dermatologist

considers the number of warts, where the warts are located, and the patient’s overall health.

Some patients receive a prescription for medicine to use at home. Patients apply the medicine to the warts as directed. These medicines include podofilox (to stop the wart cells from growing), imiquimod (to boost the body’s immune system so that it can fight HPV), and sinecatechins (a green tea extract that clears the warts).

Treatment may also involve undergoing a procedure in the dermatologist’s office. During the procedure, the dermatologist may destroy the warts by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. The dermatologist also may cut out the warts or destroy them with a laser or electric current.

If these treatments are not successful, another available procedure is injecting an antiviral medication – interferon – into the warts.

WHY SHOULD GENITAL WARTS BE TREATED?

Some genital warts clear without treatment. Seeing a dermatologist for removal of warts has benefits because

treatment:

  • Reduces the risk of spreading the virus to others
  • Alleviates discomfort. They can interfere with bowel movements, urination, and sexual intimacy
  • Removes warts, which can be difficult to keep clean

Seeking treatment also lets a person know whether the growths are genital warts or cancer. Early diagnosis and

treatment offer the best outcome for cancers caused by HPV.

Do not try to treat genital warts without a medical diagnosis. Do not use medicine meant for treating other types of warts. Medicines that are good for treating common warts and foot warts are not good for treating genital warts. See a dermatologist for treatment of genital warts.

DOES TREATMENT CLEAR HPV?

Treatment removes the warts that you see, but treatment may not get rid of the HPV infection. If the HPV infection remains, the virus can spread to other people or cause HPV-related cancer. There is no test to find out if the HPV remains.

After treatment for genital warts, people should take these precautions:

  • Use a condom (reduces risk of spreading HPV to others).
  • (Women) Get Pap smears as recommended by your

Pap smears are important for women who have had genital warts. Pap smears remain the best way to detect early changes in the cervix, which can prevent death from cervical cancer. If a Pap smear is abnormal, follow-up is essential.

Genital Warts
Genital Warts

DOES HPV CAUSE CANCER?

The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types of HPV that can cause cancers.

Some HPV types that spread through sexual contact can cause a cancer inside or on the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, or throat.

There is no way to know which people who have HPV will develop cancer or other health problems.

CAN GENITAL WARTS BE PREVENTED?

There are things people can do to reduce their risk of getting genital warts.

  • Get an HPV vaccine. These vaccines are given to males and females, usually when they are pre-teens, at (or before) 11 or 12 years of age and before a person’s first sexual encounter. The vaccines – there are two – can protect males and females against diseases (including cancers) caused by HPV. The vaccines are given over six months; it is important to get all three doses. Both HPV vaccines can help protect women from most types of cervical
  • Use condoms. Condoms can significantly lower the risk of getting an HPV infection. Since HPV can infect skin that is not covered by a condom, a condom may not offer 100 percent
  • Have as few sexual partners in your lifetime as This reduces your risk. HPV is so common that avoiding all

sexual activity is the only method that is 100 percent effective.

  • Quit smoking. Research has found that smokers have a higher risk for getting genital warts than non-smokers.

WHY SEE A DERMATOLOGIST?

People often feel embarrassed by growths in their genital area and do not see a doctor. While some genital warts may clear without treatment, seeing a dermatologist can provide peace of mind and faster clearing.

A board-certified dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the medical, surgical, and cosmetic conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. To learn more about genital warts or to find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit aad.org or call this toll-free number (888) 462-DERM (3376).

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology.
Copyright © by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Images used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides

American Academy of Dermatology

P.O. Box 1968, Des Plaines, Illinois 60017
AAD Public Information Center: 888.462.DERM (3376) AAD Member Resource Center: 866.503.SKIN (7546) Outside the United States: 847.240.1280

Web: aad.org

Email: [email protected]

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Skin Cancer Removal Procedures

Skin Cancer patients can expect a surgical plan to remove their skin cancer based on the location , size, and type of tumor. Most treatments to remove cancerous lesions can be conducted under local anesthesia.

 

The Skin Cancer is removed with a Surgical tool called a curette with a hoop or scoop on the end for scraping. An electric current is then applied to the area through a needle-like electrode designed to kill the remaining cancer cells and reduce bleeding.

After care instructions: The ED&C site must be kept clean if it is to heal rapidly. It is a small open wound which may or may not leave a scar. To clean the site, follow these instructions

First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

1. Remove Initial dressing in 24 hours.

2. Wash the area with soap and water twice a day. Apply a thin film of Aquaphor or Vaseline and cover with a fresh bandage until healing has occurred. This may take up to 2/4 week, depending on size of the wound and location.

3. Do not use Neosporin or other over the counter topical antibiotics as allergies to these medications are quite common and they can slow down healing.

4. Keep wound moist with Vaseline and band-aid, as stated in number 2. A scab or leaving it open to the environment will slow down healing.

It is normal for the site to become puffy, reddened, or irritated. However, if the site is warm to the touch, oozing, or severely reddened or very sore, you need to contact the office at (843)215-1100.

 

The skin cancer growth is removed with surgical excision by cutting or shaving it out of the skin with a scalpel. Local anesthesia is used to numb the affected area. Depending on the type of tumor, our surgeons my remove a certain amount of surrounding tissue. 

After Care Instructions: First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

1. You may apply an ice pack following surgery. Apply the ice pack on for 20 minutes, and then remove for 20 minutes, and repeat the process as needed. 

2. Remember, applying direct pressure to the surgery site stops bleeding.

3. You may take Tylenol for Pain if needed.

4. Leave the wound dressing on for 24 hours

5. While showering, remove your current dressing and clean your wound, and the remove for gently with warm water and soap to remove any dried blood and prevent scab formation.

6. Apply Vaseline ointment at least one time daily, and cover the entire wound with a band-aide or gauze dressing.

7. On your scheduled day of suture removal, cleanse the wound, and leave the area DRY(do not apply any ointment) and return to our office at your scheduled time to have the sutures removed

8. If your wound is in the beard area on your face or other area where you normally shave, please avoid shaving near the wound.

9. If the surgical site starts to bleed excessively and doesn't stop with applied pressure for 15 minutes, the dressing become saturated with blood. If there is excessive swelling or the site become inflamed and warm to the touch. Call the office at 843-215-1100

 

The surgeon removes the visible skin cancer and come surrounding tissue via and incision. The removed tissue is frozen, dyed, and evaluated under a microscope by a pathologist to see if the cancer has been removed entirely. If cancerous cells are still present, the process of excision and evaluation is repeated until the cancer is no longer detected. The diagnosis of the removed tissue is made in real-time, so the patient can be confirmed cancer-free the same day. The process can take several hours to fulling remove the cancer.

After Care Instructions: First Wash Your Hands With Soap and Water

1. You may apply an ice pack following surgery. Apply the ice pack on for 20 minutes, and then remove for 20 minutes, and repeat the process as needed. 

2. Remember, applying direct pressure to the surgery site stops bleeding.

3. You may take Tylenol for Pain if needed.

4. Leave the wound dressing on for 24 hours

5. While showering, remove your current dressing and clean your wound, and the remove for gently with warm water and soap to remove any dried blood and prevent scab formation.

6. Apply Vaseline ointment at least one time daily, and cover the entire wound with a band-aide or gauze dressing.

7. On your scheduled day of suture removal, cleanse the wound, and leave the area DRY(do not apply any ointment) and return to our office at your scheduled time to have the sutures removed

8. If your wound is in the beard area on your face or other area where you normally shave, please avoid shaving near the wound.

9. If the surgical site starts to bleed excessively and doesn't stop with applied pressure for 15 minutes, the dressing become saturated with blood. If there is excessive swelling or the site become inflamed and warm to the touch. Call the office at 843-215-1100

 

Typically used to treat minor skin cancers and pre-cancerous lesions, cryosurgery involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the cancer cells. The procedure, also known as cryotherapy is repeated until the affected area no longer shows signs of pre-cancer or cancer.

After Care Instructions: 

1. You do note need to cover the area treated, unless instructed to do so.

2. The discomfort is temporary but may last for 10-30 minutes after treatment.

3. the area may appear red for up to one hour after freezing but often returns to normal color within 10-15 minutes.

4. A blister may form within 24 hours of treatment. this may be clear fluid filled or blood filled, if it is uncomfortable, you may drain it by using a clean needle cleansed with alcohol. If this is done, cover with a Band-Aid and Vaseline ointment for approximately one week. This bandage should be changed daily. 

5. Sometimes a scab will will form over the area treated. This will come off on its own and does not need to be covered.

6. If you have any questions or concerns after reading the above information, please do not hesitate to call our office at 843-215-1100



Side Effects of Skin Cancer Removal 

With any kind of skin cancer removal, scarring is likely to occur. Incision sites may be sore, red, or drain small amounts of fluid. Healing will continue for weeks and even months after your surgery, incision lines will fade and continue to improve. Sun exposure on wounds and scar lines can result in irregular pigmentation or cause the sight to become red, raised, or dark, so patients should follow post-op preventative instructions carefully. 

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