Anal Warts

Michael H Tarlowe MD Our Services Anal Warts
Michael H Tarlowe MD - - Proctologist

Michael Tarlowe, MD

Serving Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding areas

There are at least 79 million people in the United States currently infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes warts to grow on your skin and, potentially, in your anus. If you have anal warts, the practice of Michael H Tarlowe, MD can help. As a skilled proctologist, Dr. Tarlowe offers safe and effective treatments for anal warts at his office, serving Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, FL, and the surrounding areas. To learn more, schedule a consultation today by calling the office or using the convenient online booking tool.

Anal Warts Q & A

What are anal warts?

Anal warts are warts that grow in and around your anus. They’re a type of genital warts known as condyloma acuminata. 

Anal warts can be incredibly tiny, but some can grow to be larger than the size of a pea. Their growth might remain constrained to a single spot, or they might spread over different areas of your anus or genitals. 

Anal warts tend to have a cauliflower-like texture and appearance as they grow larger, and they can present themselves in a few different colors, like yellow, pink, or the color of your skin.

 

What are the symptoms of anal warts?

Anal warts frequently don’t present any symptoms. Some people who have anal warts are never aware of the fact that they have them and don’t feel any discomfort or pain.

If an anal wart grows large enough, it can become irritating. Noticeable anal warts can cause any of the following conditions:

  • Itching
  • Bleeding
  • Mucus discharge

 

Anal warts can also create a non-painful sensation and leave you feeling as if you have a lump in your anal area. 

 

What causes anal warts?

HPV causes anal warts. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that can lay dormant in the body and take years to present symptoms, or even never produce symptoms at all. 

HPV is spread through skin-on-skin sexual contact with an infected person, through either the vagina, penis, anus, or mouth. You can catch HPV from an infected person even if they don’t have any visible warts, and you can develop anal warts without ever having anal sex. 

 

How do you treat anal warts?

Anal warts will typically grow and spread, and they also lead to an increased risk of anal cancer, so Dr. Tarlowe recommends removing them.

Some of the treatments that Dr. Tarlowe provides for removing anal warts include:

  • Topical medications
  • Acid removal of warts
  • Surgical removal

 

Dr. Tarlowe might need to surgically remove your anal warts if they’re particularly large or located inside of your anal canal. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis and typically has a quick recovery time.

Removing anal warts doesn’t treat the underlying virus that causes them, however, so they can occasionally grow back and require follow-up visits.

To learn more about patient preparations for upcoming procedures, click here.

 

To get started with your anal warts treatment, schedule a visit with Dr. Tarlowe today by calling the office or booking a visit online.

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