Vinegar for Genital Warts Diagnosis and Treatment

Genital warts may or may not show symptoms. If they do, the warts may appear as tiny cauliflower-shaped lesions that may be raised or flat. They may start as small, around 2 millimeters in diameter, but they may grow big and expand into huge clusters in the anal and genital areas. They are easy to detect if they are raised and are big enough to be seen by the naked eye. However, there are times when they are present but are barely noticeable. Thus, in diagnosing genital warts, your doctor will usually apply a three to five percent acetic solution, or white vinegar, directly to the suspected infected areas.

White vinegar, which consists of acetic acid, will turn the warts white upon application. To further aid in the direct visual examination, the doctor may use a colposcope, a lighted magnifying device. However, the white spots do not necessarily reflect the presence of genital warts. Your doctor will still test you for other similar-looking conditions, such as psoriasis, lichen planus, and yeast infections. He/she may also perform a biopsy if any more abnormalities are present. This test involves the removal of a sample of tissue for further examination under a microscope.

Vinegar is also used for other tests for genital warts. Some doctors use vinegar in a test called an acid wrap. A gauze strip or piece of cloth is first soaked in white vinegar. It is then wrapped around the genital area of the individual for approximately 10 minutes. Similar to the acetic acid test mentioned above, the parts of the genital area that become white are identified to as potential genital warts. Again, more tests will be conducted after this to rule out any possibilities of similar-looking diseases.

Aside from diagnosis, vinegar is also used as a treatment for genital warts. In particular, apple cider vinegar is used as a natural remedy. It is effective against genital warts because it contains acetic and malic acid that help combat bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These acids work with the naturally-occurring acids in your body to form a new compound that helps fight harmful microorganisms.

According to folk traditions, you should soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and use it to apply the solution to your warts. Then, you should tape it over the affected area and leave it overnight. When you wake up in the morning, take the patch off and wash the area with warm water. This is supposed to be done daily for one week, depending on the severity of your case. If your genital warts are big and severe or if your immune system is compromised, you may have to repeat this method for a couple more weeks. You may also opt to soak the areas with genital warts directly in apple cider vinegar once or twice daily. Note, however, that this may irritate your sensitive genital area so consult your doctor first before using this treatment.

The author is an online medical researcher and webmaster of Genital Warts Support Team - a health resource dedicated to providing factual information about Genital Warts. Visit site for related topics: "Diagnosis of Genital Warts", "Prevention of Genital Warts" and more.