What Genital Wart Recurrence Means

People often assume that treatment options available for genital warts are 100% effective, but there is still a chance of resurgance after the warts are removed.  Both the topical applications and physical ablation techniques although can be quite helpful in removing the visible warts in the genital areas. Warts may reappear at any point if the virus is still active in the body.  Most treatments can remove the warts, but they can’t destroy the virus, which is the root cause of the condition.

What causes the warts to reoccur?

A weak immune system can make warts reoccur.  The virus enters the body through sexual contact or cuts in the body.  As you grow older, your immune system becomes stronger, so if the virus enters the body your immune system can fight and destroy it completely.  This makes it less likely for you to get recurring warts.  However, if your immune system is not strong enough due to reasons such as malnutrition or other diseases, you have higher chances of contracting the virus.  This means if you had genital warts in the past, and if your immune system has grown weaker, you will have higher chances of genital wart recurrences.

The virus can also spread from one part of the body to another, which means if you directly touch infected areas around your genitals, your hands may catch the virus, and can then spread to other parts of the body.  Public showers and other damp warm places like swimming pools, provide the perfect breeding ground for the warts virus.

Treatment of recurring warts

If you have a history of warts, you should discuss plans of action with your doctor about aggressive ways to treat them.  Since recurrences mainly occur due to a weak immune system, immunotherapy can be used to strengthen it and destroy the virus causing the warts.  However, these methods are quite expensive and require tremendous expertise.  They also involve handling of dangerous substances called contact sensitizers, such as squaric acid, dibutyl ester or imiquimod.  These methods are considered “last resort” when all else fails.

Lifestyle changes

You can boost your immunity through lifestyle changes.  Here are some suggestions that will strengthen your immune system and prevent the recurrence of genital warts:

• Drink lemon water in the morning on an empty stomach.  This maintains your body’s pH level.  A good level supports healthy bacteria instead of viruses that thrive in acidic environments.
• Taking herbal supplements in the form of green tea which can strengthen your immune system.
• Eat raw fruits and vegetables.  Vitamins A, C, E, bioflavenoids, carotenids, selenium, zinc, and omega-fatty acids are immune boosters; avoid processed sugar and fatty foods.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and caffeine.  Foods containing arganine such as seeds, cheese and nuts can trigger HPV and therefore, should be avoided.
• Essential oils act as a immune system booster, and deterrent.  Massaging essential oils into the skin reduces the chances of genital warts returning.