Genital warts is a viral skin disease characterized by a soft wart-like growth on the genitals. Also known as Condylomata acuminata, it affects an estimated 10 to 20 million Americans. Approximately one million people contract gential warts each year. Pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems are more susceptible than the general population to this infection. 

Genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus or HPV, a virus similar to the one which causes warts elsewhere is what causes genital warts. This virus lives within the body’s cells, and replicates, infecting other cells in the body. If this virus is not properly fought off by the immune system, gential warts break out. Thus, people with weak immune systems will have more widespread infections. The virus is also easily transmitted when the skin or mucous membrane is already injured.

Genital warts are small lumps which appear on the genital area. In men, the warts most often appear on the glans, foreskin and urethral opening. They may also appear on the shaft of the penis, scrotum and anus. Many people may have the virus that causes genital warts but may not show any symptoms.

Other symptoms includes raised "warty" appearing tumors on the genitals, raised, flesh colored lesions, cauliflower-like appearing growths around the anus. There may an increased dampness or moisture in the area of the growths, and itching of the penis, scrotum, anal area.

Treatment focuses on removing visible warts, but the virus remains. Thus, there may be future outbreaks, and the risk of passing the gential warts on to others is not reduced.

There are a wide variety of treatments available for genital wars. Topical treatments to eradicate the lesions include trichloroacetic acid, podophyllum, and liquid nitrogen. They are applied directly to the infected region and are washed off several hours later.

There is a new treatment called Aldara, a topical cream which is applied by the patient and is available by prescription only.

Surgery may be need for larger warts that do not respond to alternate forms of treatment. There are currently three methods for the surgical removal of warts: cryosurgery, electrocauterization, laser therapy, or surgical excision.