Top products from r/STD

Also, the key is catching the bumps early. Again, while I'm not a doctor, I want to let you all know of your options for destructive methods of attacking the papuples. Please Google around before pursuing any of these. What's contained below is just anecdotal, and not medical advice.

The most common option is liquid nitrogen freezing. This works in killing the individual papules, but can be expensive (if you don't get it done at the STD clinic) and can leave postinflammatory hyperpigmentation for months (and up to a year, if you heal slowly). Nitrogen is the strongest, burn-it-to-the-ground approach, but at a cost. And, like all methods, it won't prevent the appearance of new bumps and spreading, also known as "autoinnoculation." Usually takes a few treatments (3 or more), separated by a week or two.

Cantharadin Plus is another option: the blistering solution. It can leave scars too, and some derms won't put it on the genitals, but patients give it high marks online and some believe the scarring isn't as bad as with nitrogen.

For home treatments, ask your doctor if he'll prescribe 5-FU (also called Efudex, the brand name) compounded with 17% salicylic acid (should be about $40). It is known as "Wartpeel" or "Actikerall". Or Veregen, if your insurance will cover it...otherwise it's $1,300+ per tube, yikes. Read about the studies on these and their effect on molluscum.

Many have PM'd me asking about Potassium Hydroxide, as studies indicate it can irritate and scab the molluscum, much like ACV. Pro tip: you can buy 10% KOH on Amazon and carefully apply it whenever a new bump appears (using a toothpick or tiny brush): https://www.amazon.com/Healthlink-72956-Potassium-Hydroxide-30ml/dp/B00KIW3UU2/ But be very, very careful with it, put vaseline around the surrounded area before applying, and only put a tiny drop on the papule. KOH can really burn the skin if you go overboard and scab badly, burning right through the skin.

Buying it on Amazon (link above) is basically a much cheaper version of MolluDab and at a more effective strength.

If you read the reviews for MolluDab or read about Potassium Hydroxide 10% solution, it's a very cheap and effective method that's been studied by doctors. It's basically just a dilute lye, a very "basic" solution that eats through the skin over time and creates irritation, precipitating an immune response. But some skin reacts poorly to it, and again, it leaves postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and scars, so be very precise in the application.

Computer freeze spray (MG-134) sprayed into a paper cup, and applied with a q-tip for 5-6 seconds is basically a "crappy home version" of nitrogen treatment. Wear nitrile gloves on both hands, point the spray can away from the face when spraying into the cup, spray lightly, allow the liquid to collect in the cup, and dip the q-tip in there. You can find this product at computer supply stores, and it's on Amazon too. But holy hell, be careful with this method, there are some knuckleheads in the Amazon reviews who really burned themselves by spraying it incorrectly. Like all methods, this one will leave some scars. And use antibacterial ointment on the papules after applying, to prevent infection from the chemicals.

70% DMSO+tea tree oil (and other oils like sandlewood and clove)+iodine is a promising treatment that doesn't scar, but can take up to 12 weeks to fully work. You can see my previous posts about it. There is a similar combination currently in Phase II FDA trials, but you can make a fake-o home batch. I look at this solution more as a preventative, rather than a perfect destructive method, but if you don't want scars/hyperpigmentation that take months to heal, and you can be patient, this is probably the best option other than just waiting for the papules to go away on their own. Because DMSO dissolves whatever it comes into contact with (and then puts it into the blood stream), you must be very careful and read up on how to do this.

Apple cider vinegar is too indirect and scars the adjacent skin (another problem that can happen with the freeze spray). Yes, it "works" by irritating the papules, turning them black, and then they fall off, but the resulting skin burns are as bad (or worse, I feel) than nitrogen. Some swear by this method, but I find it imprecise and brutal on the skin.

Aldara/Imiquimod might work slightly on very new papules, but plenty of larger studies suggest it doesn't help much, generally. Perhaps it's worth a shot because it stimulates the immune system, but it's not the best frontline approach.

Curettage is popular with younger patients it's basically just scraping them off with a curette instrument and removing the viral core. I'm skeptical about this approach, because I think it can lead to autoinnoculation (spreading), but some swear by it. More importantly: a few people on Reddit will foolishly tell you to try this on your own, using tweezer. Dear heavens, do not do this at home. I once tried this and it spread them everywhere. Never, ever do this. Even with sterile instruments, soaked in alcohol and iodine, it can still lead to infection. And the blood and pus spreading everywhere will lead to many more bumps.

Best of luck to all, no matter which solution you pursue. And consult with your doctor before doing anything by yourself.

​

I would keep them covered. This will also help with healing as well. Contrary to popular belief and uninformed mothers, healing works best when wounds are covered.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/01/health/01real.html

From what I was told by the derm, the nitro doesn't actually kill the virus. It just damages the tissue surrounding the lesion, and the body goes to work rebuilding the tissue, and in the process forces the virus out or finally recognizes it and destroys it in the healing process.

This means that keeping them uncovered could potential allow for easier spreading. Personally, I kept all my nitro'd spots covered, and never had any spreading. The only place I did have spreading was inside my bellybutton as it was tough to keep it covered. Eventually I figured out using a cotton ball + bandaid worked well to totally fill the bellybutton and prevent any spreading lol.

However - about 3 months into infection I also switched to dandruff shampoo / soap with 3% salicylic acid. This one. This was recommended by my derm - but I'm not sure the exact reason why. I know this acid...in high concentrations...is actually used to treat MCV and other lesions / warts, so perhaps even in low concentrations it helps prevent spreading. (Obviously I'm not a doctor, so who knows.) It was only used on areas with lesions - genitals, abdomen. And I've continued to use it 5 weeks after my last lesion was treated. I'll just keep using for another month 'cause it doesn't seem to do any damage and want to keep up this regimen until I'm sure it's totally gone.

But for sure, I never had additional spread combining nitro + bandages + the soap.

As for sex, I was told by my derm to avoid it until the lesions are clear. There is always a risk of spread, even with covering them. it's a good motivation to keep getting them treated and being vigilant! I went 5 months before there were no more visible lesions. 1 more month of waiting to be sure. Sex mania now, although I'm watching for new ones like a hawk lol.

Check out this book! Everything about Herpes book

According to the book, HSV-1 is not so bad, outbreaks about 2-3 times a year. HSV-2 is worse with outbreaks every two weeks or a month. Also, about 50% of people over 14 years old has HSV-1 but most of them do not even know they have herpes. For about 50% of the people who do have HSV-1, they get an initial outbreak and never get it again. She is a good person to have informed you.

Anyways, my advice is to read the book.

First of all, if you've been fully vaccinated with Gardasil, you have been protected against the two strains of HPV that are responsible for 90% of all genital warts. So that right there is a good reason to get vaccinated.

Second of all, most people clear the virus within two years. It is statistically likely that she no longer carries the virus, but there is also a small chance she could be a chronic carrier and there is no test to find out for sure.

Third of all, most people who contract the virus that causes genital warts don't actually show symptoms -- they just carry it "silently."

It's up to you if you consider genital warts to be "serious" -- that's your call to make, but try to make that call based on scientifically sound information. Here are some sources:

• [Planned Parenthood (Arizona)] (http://advocatesaz.org/2012/04/18/sti-awareness-genital-warts/)
  
  
• [Planned Parenthood] (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-info/stds-hiv-safer-sex/genital-warts)
  
  
• [CDC] (http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm)
  
  
• See if your library has [this BOOK] (http://www.amazon.com/The-HPV-Vaccine-Controversy-Teenagers/dp/0313350116) -- the title is a bit misleading (very little about the political/social controversy, almost entirely about health information), and it has an entire chapter on genital warts

I can empathize with you feeling paranoid. I usually do a test. I apply clobetasol cream or bactroban on the bumps. If it doesn’t go away in 3 days then it’s probably NOT folliculitis and it might be Molluscum. I had a molluscum break out in 2016. It lasted 12 months. It took so long because I didn’t know what to put on them. The doctor said only Cauterization can get rid of them. I couldn’t do that coz I was taking Accutane my skin won’t heal. Then I searched the web for any treatment. Only one thing helped cure them. It didn’t leave any scar or mark on my skin. I wish I found out sooner... Zyma Derm for Molluscum

There are so many out there so you really have a lot of options. But I’m Mexican and I use this classic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006PHWJPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_1Se2Db8RJWYCR

You of course should get it checked out, but I disagree that this seems like a text book case of HSV2. Your itching rather than severe pain is also unusual.

It is more consistent with simple perianal itching that can be relative yeast overgrowth. If there is some time before you can get tested, try treating it. It will not hurt and it may cure the problem. (Once again, you should get tested, if you have concerns).

Antifungal
Anti-itch