There is no cure for HPV. Existing treatments are focused on the removal of visible<unk> s, but these may also regress on their own without any therapy. There is no evidence to suggest that removing visible<unk> s reduces transmission of the underlying HPV infection. As many as 80% of people with HPV will clear the infection within 18 months. A healthcare practitioner may offer one of several ways to treat<unk> s, depending on their number, sizes, locations, or other factors. All treatments can potentially cause depigmentation, itching, pain, or scarring. Treatments can be classified as either physically ablative, or topical agents. Physically ablative therapies are considered more effective at initial<unk>  removal, but like all therapies have significant recurrence rates. Many therapies, including folk remedies, have been suggested for treating<unk> s, some of which have little evidence to suggest they are effective or safe. Those listed here are ones mentioned in national or international practice guidelines as having some basis in evidence for their use. Physical ablation Physically ablative methods are more likely to be effective on keratinized<unk> s. They are also most appropriate for patients with fewer numbers of relatively smaller<unk> s. * Simple excision, such as with scissors under local anesthesia, is highly effective. * Liquid nitrogen cryosurgery is usually performed in an office visit, at weekly intervals. It is effective, inexpensive, safe for pregnancy, and does not usually cause scarring. * Electrocauterization (sometimes called "loop electrical excision procedure" or LEEP) is a procedure with a long history of use and is considered effective. * Laser ablation has less evidence to suggest its use. It may be less effective than other ablative methods. It is extremely expensive, and often used as a last resort. * Formal surgical procedures, performed by a specialist under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia may be necessary for larger or more extensive<unk> s, intra-anal<unk> s, or<unk> s in children. It carries a greater risk of scarring than other methods. Topical agents * A 0.15–0.5% podophyllotoxin (also called podofilox) solution in a gel or cream. It can be applied by the patient to the affected area and is not washed off. It is the purified and standardized active ingredient of podophyllin (see below). Podofilox is safer and more effective than podophyllin. Skin erosion and pain are more commonly reported than with imiquimod and sinecatechins. Its use is cycled (2 times per day for 3 days then 4–7 days off); one review states that it should only be used for four cycles. * Imiquimod is a topical immune response cream, applied to the affected area. It causes less local irritation than podofilox but may cause fungal infections (11% in package insert) and flu-like symptoms (less than 5% disclosed in package insert). * Sinecatechins is an ointment of catechins (55% epigallocatechin gallate) extracted from green tea and other components. Mode of action is undetermined. It appears to have higher clearance rates than podophyllotoxin and imiquimod and causes less local irritation, but clearance takes longer than with imiquimod. * Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is less effective than cryosurgery, and is not recommended for use in the vagina, cervix, or urinary meatus. * Interferon can be used; it is effective, but it is also expensive and its effect is inconsistent. ;Discontinued * A 5% 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cream was used, but it is no longer considered an acceptable treatment due to the side-effects. Podophyllin, podofilox and isotretinoin should not be used during pregnancy, as they could cause birth defects in the fetus.
Genital wart
Skin tag
Genu recurvatum
Condylomata lata
Trichostasis spinulosa
Molluscum contagiosum
Bifid penis
Squamous cell carcinoma