It’s easy to confuse genital warts and molluscum. They appear rather similar at first, but upon closer inspection, these conditions vary in many ways. Most people get nervous at the first sight of molluscum or warts on their skin. This is a completely normal reaction and can be alleviated by a proper diagnosis. To determine the type of lesions on your skin, whether they are molluscum, genital warts or other kinds of warts, you should visit a board-certified dermatologist for genital wart diagnosis in Los Angeles and expert evaluation.
At the Dermatology Institute of Southern California, we examine several distinguishing factors to properly diagnose and treat your skin concerns. Our team of expert dermatologists treats non-cancerous skin growths and serves clients seeking molluscum contagiosum treatment in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. With extensive experience, our highly trained team of skincare specialists and physicians provides expert wart removal in Los Angeles and personalized treatment plans to help alleviate any concern you may be experiencing with your skin.
Understanding the Difference Between Genital Warts, Molluscum Contagiosum and Warts
| Molluscum Contagiosum | Genital Warts (HPV) | Warts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Flesh colored or pink | Pink or red | Flesh colored, white or pink |
| Size | Two to five millimeters | Two to three centimeters | Varies |
| Cause | The molluscum contagiosum virus | The human papillomavirus (HPV) | Human papillomavirus (HPV) |
| Location | Face Neck Chest Stomach Groin |
Internal/external genitals Around the vagina/anus On the penis |
Fingers Hands Feet |
| Symptoms | Small shiny, raised bumps Does not itch Appears single or in groups |
Dry/itchy Causes sores Discomfort Increased vaginal discharge & changes in menstrual bleeding Cauliflower shape Appear single or in groups |
Small, dense lumps Painless Dark, flat and smooth Can occur anywhere on the body |
Santa Monica and Beverly Hills Treatments for Genital Warts
Receiving a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan is key to minimizing infection, maintaining healthy skin and preventing molluscum contagiosum, genital warts and warts from spreading to other people. Our clinic offers advanced genital wart treatment with safe, effective techniques.
Cryosurgery: Our Beverly Hills and Santa Monica a skin care experts utilize cryosurgery to safely freeze away genital warts, molluscum or other warts with liquid nitrogen. This method is commonly recommended for non-surgical wart removal .
V-Beam Laser: FDA-approved beams of laser energy precisely destroy the blood vessels responsible for feeding the wart. Pulse dye laser wart removal is ideal for stubborn warts resistant to liquid nitrogen and salicylic acid or other chemical agents. This option is popular for patients seeking laser wart removal in Los Angeles.
Aldara (imiquimod): When prescribed by a professional dermatologist, this topical wart cream helps your body destroy genital, molluscum and other warts and resist future growth. However, it is not a cure for HPV. You can learn more about HPV from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Cantharone: Cantharidin, which is secreted by the blister beetle insect and is used in the Cantharone treatment, is one of the quickest ways to remove warts and molluscum. Cantharidin acts as a burn agent in small, carefully prepared treatment doses. Once the skin care specialist paints it on your skin, the blisters are safely peeled off the offending area.
Candida Antigen: These injections are ideal for wart clusters on the hands, feet or isolated regions of the body. The wart treatment lessens the relapse rate but does come with its own side effects. This is another option for patients seeking comprehensive wart treatment.
Genital Wart Removal and Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment in Los Angeles
When it’s time to decide on a dermatologist for genital wart diagnosis and removal, there is no better choice in Los Angeles than our comprehensive team of skincare experts. We have been serving Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills for many years with excellent patient care results, offering professional genital wart removal and tailored solutions for long-term skin health.
For additional information about molluscum contagiosum, you may visit the American Academy of Dermatology
If you are experiencing symptoms or need an expert evaluation, contact us today or book now to schedule your consultation with our dermatology specialists.