What Are Genital Warts?

Genital warts are infections of the genital skin by human papillomavirus (HPV). Genital warts may be small, flesh-colored bumps or rough, bumpy clusters. Often, the warts are too small to be visible.

Some types of genital HPV can cause genital warts, while others can cause cancer. Vaccines can help protect against certain types of genital HPV.

What Causes Genital Warts?

Genital warts are transmitted through sexual contact.

Signs and Symptoms of Genital Warts

Common symptoms of genital warts include:

• Distinct, small, smooth-surfaced bumps on the genitals or buttocks
• Skin-colored, brown or whitish color
• Cluster of bumps shaped like cauliflower

Treatment for Genital Warts

In most cases, your immune system kills genital HPV and you never develop warts or other signs or symptoms of the infection. Treatments can often help your body kill off the virus. At UCLA Dermatology, we recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Cryosurgery (freezing with liquid nitrogen) to kill wart tissue
• Topical (skin-based) creams to either remove warts or boost the body’s immune reaction to them
• Electrosurgery (electrocautery) to burn off wart tissue
• Surgical excision to cut off warts
• Laser treatments to remove very extensive and difficult-to-treat warts

Contact Us

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (310) 825-6911.