What are the symptoms and duration of the latent period of recurrence of vulvar warts?

Once a woman's vulva develops genital warts, it is often quite unbearable. At this time, it is often a bump that is higher than the surface of the skin, and if it is delayed and not treated actively, the number of genital warts will increase. Moreover, the size of genital warts will become larger and larger. Often endangers life. So how long is the incubation period of vulvar warts?

The clinical manifestations of genital warts are varied. In the early stage, they are often asymptomatic and painless. At first, they are small light pink, dark red or dirty gray nipple-like protrusions, which gradually increase in size and number, tend to fuse or overlap with each other, have a pedicle at the root, and the surface is uneven, moist and soft, with nipple-like, cauliflower-like or mushroom-like protrusions.

As the lesions grow larger, there may be a feeling of pressure and itching, the surface is easily eroded, and turbid serous fluid with a foul odor exudes, and secondary infection occurs with every scratching. Lesions in cooler, drier areas of the genitals are often small and flat, while those in warmer, moister areas are often filiform or papilloma-like and tend to fuse into large masses.

The incubation period ranges from 3 weeks to 8 months, with an average of 3 months. Most of the patients are young women. The lesions are common in areas that are easily injured during sexual intercourse, such as near the navicular fossa, labia majora and minora, around the anus, vaginal vestibule, and urethral opening. The vagina and cervix may also be affected. The clinical symptoms are often not obvious, and some patients experience vulvar itching, burning pain, or pain after sexual intercourse.

The typical signs are tiny scattered papillary warts at first, which are soft and have tiny finger-like protrusions on them, or small and pointed papules, which are slightly hard, isolated, scattered or in clusters, and pink or white. The lesions gradually increase in size and number, merging into a cockscomb or cauliflower shape, with keratinization or infection and ulceration at the top. Cervical lesions are mostly flat and difficult to detect with the naked eye, and often require the assistance of a colposcopy and acetic acid test.

To sum up, the incubation period of vulvar warts can be long or short, depending on the person, but the same thing is that once there is a problem of genital warts, active treatment is needed. Moreover, patients with genital warts can often spread the virus directly through sexual intercourse. Avoid unclean sexual intercourse during treatment.

0.5% podophyllotoxin tincture (or 0.15% cream) is suitable for the treatment of genital warts with a diameter of ≤10mm, and the clinical cure rate can reach about 90%. The total wart area should not exceed 10cm2, and the total daily medication should not exceed 0.5ml. After application, the topical medication should be allowed to dry naturally. The main side effects are local irritation, which may include itching, burning pain, redness, swelling, erosion and necrosis. In addition, this drug is teratogenic and should not be used by pregnant women.

(2) 5% imiquimod cream is used to treat genital warts, with an average wart clearance rate of 56%. The advantage of this therapy is the low recurrence rate, which is about 13%. The appearance of erythema is not an indication for discontinuation of medication, but the appearance of erosion or damage requires discontinuation of medication and a follow-up visit. The doctor will treat the wound and decide whether to continue the medication. Side effects are mainly local irritation, which may include itching, burning pain, erythema, and erosion. The safety of imiquimod during pregnancy has not been established and it is contraindicated in pregnant women.

(3) 80% to 90% trichloroacetic acid or dichloroacetic acid must be treated by a doctor. When using, apply a small amount of liquid medicine on the wart lesion and wait for it to dry. At this time, a layer of white frost will form on the surface. During treatment, care should be taken to protect the surrounding normal skin and mucous membranes. If there is an excess of topical medication, talcum powder, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or liquid soap can be applied to neutralize excess, unreacted acid. This medicine should not be used for hyperkeratosis or large, multiple, or extensive warts. Adverse reactions include local irritation, redness, swelling, erosion, etc.