More than a 100 different subtypes of Human papillomavirus (HPV) exist, of which approximately 30 cause genital warts. But it is not necessary that HPV will only cause genital warts in infected people. Besides the 30 subtypes which affect the genitals, there are other subtypes which cause formation of warts on other parts of the body, like the hands for instance.
Also, sometimes people infected with a strain of HPV may not develop warts. There may be no symptoms, even though the virus may be present in the skin around the genitals or even in the cervical area in women.
Mostly people prefer to wait-and-watch because the body fights of the virus and the warts go away on their own. Moreover, since HPV is a virus and not a bacterium, antibiotics cannot cure it and no treatment can eliminate it completely.
Often, over time, HPV outbreaks will become less frequent, till the body fights the virus and the warts disappear. In some cases however, the infection may remain. This is when other forms of treatment come into play, and they may opt to go in for one of those available.
One of the common treatments for HPV is Cryotherapy.
The cryotherapy procedure involves destroying the warts by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. This may be carried out by one of three main techniques.
After the growths are frozen with liquid nitrogen, it is allowed to thaw slowly. A second application may be required depending on the size, type and depth of the lesion.
More subsequent cryotherapy treatments may be required, especially if the warts are in the urethra or anus.
A mild burning sensation may follow the procedure which generally wears off in some minutes.
Cryotherapy is usually performed in a doctor's clinic or on an out-patient setting by administering appropriate anesthesia (if required).
The healing process usually takes 1-3 weeks and minor side effects (if any) include:
Other side-effects include numbness, pigmentation (dark-skinned people are more prone), recurrence of the skin growth and rarely - infection and scarring.
Intensity of the side effects depends upon factors like size and freeze and thaw cycles.
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