Home Remedies for Genital warts

Genital warts also known as condylomata acuminate or venereal warts, are caused by Human Pappiloma Virus (HPV). They generally occur around the genital area like anus, cervix, penis, rectum, scrotum, vulva and vagina. They are either flat or cauliflower-like shaped. People with many sexual partners and those who do not practice safe sex are at greater risk of getting infected. Genital warts mainly occur among young people around 20 years of age. Sexual intercourse causes friction which results in the abrasion of the uppermost layer of the skin. This causes minute tears in the surface of the skin which are not even visible to the naked eye. The virus from the infected individual is then transferred to his/her partner through direct skin-to-skin contact. Genital, anal, and oral sex are the mains causes of HPV transmission and indulging in unprotected sex with an infected individual will invariably cause a transmission of the virus. When the HPV viral infection is dormant, the individual will not display warts or any of the other symptoms associated with this condition. However, if the infection is in the active stage, the warts will be quite noticeable. 70% of all individuals who have unprotected sex with a person suffering from an active HPV infection will in turn get genital herpes. Some types of HPV can cause or increase an individual’s risk of suffering from cervical, penile, or anal cancers. However, the type of virus that causes genital warts is not the same as these cancer causing strains. Genital warts treatment will depend on the severity of the warts as well as the progression of the condition. The initial stages of this condition will require potent medications but the medication may be changed after a while. This is because the immune response of an infected individual’s immune system gets stronger with each active phase of the infection and so in many cases, the incidence of genital warts keeps decreasing. It is important to note that the entire course of genital warts treatment must be followed and even if you are not in the active phase of this condition, you may still be able to pass this condition on to your partner. Genital warts treatment in men will vary in cost as there are several over the counter medications and prescription medications available for this condition. Female genital warts home treatment and genital warts home treatment in men may differ and so it is important to consult a doctor before deciding on a method of treatment.

Bleeding, Itching

An infected person may feel itching or burning sensation around the genital area. Warts may cause discomfort during sexual intercourse. Sometimes it may also cause bleeding. Tiny bumps or swelling of red, grey or pink color may be seen around the genitals. Affected area may be more moist than normal. In women, genital warts can cause symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding or increased vaginal discharge. Sometimes there may not be any visible symptoms like bumps, lesions or swelling. In such cases a closed medical examination of the skin around the genital is the only way to diagnose the genital warts. Transmission of HPV through sexual contact usually takes three months to develop the symptoms. However, sometimes there may be no symptoms for years. Genital warts symptoms in women generally include small fleshy skin growths which may appear on the inside and the outside of the vagina. It can also appear on the cervix walls or inside and around the anus. Genital warts symptoms in men include cauliflower-like clusters around the penis and scrotum. Genital warts may also be present in the urethra and on or inside the anus. Genital warts symptoms in men are different from those of the warts in women and pictures and images are often used to illustrate the differences between the two.

Through Sexual Contact

Genital wart is a sexually transmitted disease. It can spread through any form of sexual contact with the infected person. It can also spread by touching the genitals of the infected person. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection and so protected sex is a must. Using a condom has been proven to drastically reduce one’s risk of contracting this condition through sexual intercourse. A condom is necessary even when indulging in oral sex or anal sex. It is best to use a latex condom along with a water-based lube and not an oil-based one as this will help to reduce abrasion of the skin and reduce the risk of the condom tearing. Pictures of HPV genital warts symptoms in men and women also help to educate people to recognize the early symptoms of genital warts so that they can receive timely treatment. Treatment of genital warts in both males and females would depend on the severity of the condition.

Other Causes

It can also be transmitted indirectly by sharing towel with the infected person. In rare cases a new born baby may get infected during delivery.

Use Vitamin E Oil

Some genital warts may disappear over time. Apply oil (vitamin E) on the infected skin and put some crushed raw garlic over it. Cover it with an adhesive tape. The wart will fall within a week. It is not advisable to keep the same poultice on for the entire week, and so you can wash off the crushed garlic paste when you go for a shower. Reapply a fresh paste of garlic and use adhesive tape once again to keep it in place. Changing this dressing twice a day for the entire week will ensure that the area is constantly in contact with fresh garlic paste which contains several antimicrobial properties. Vitamin E oil will also help to keep the surrounding skin healthy and this may prevent the spread of the infection. Genital wart removal home remedies must be used regularly for satisfactory results.

Apply Juice

Make juice from onion slices covered overnight with salt and apply it on the affected area till the warts disappear. Apply milky juice of figs’ stem two to three times a day. Apply apple cider vinegar to the affected area using cotton ball. Like garlic, onions too have strong antimicrobial agents which help to control infection. Salt is a humectants which means that it helps to draw out the moisture and fluids from the slices of onion. Salt is also a mild antiseptic and so the liquid obtained from applying salt to onion slices will have antiseptic properties which will help to control the spread of the genital warts. This genital warts natural treatment may cause a little discomfort and burning if the area around the warts is sore. Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature and this will help to slough of dead skin cells from the surface of the warts. To increase the effectiveness of this treatment, you can soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and then place it over the wart. Apply a small piece of adhesive tape to keep the cotton ball in place. This will help to speed up the sloughing off process of the skin and so the genital warts will start to shrink in size until they disappear. Genital wart removal with home remedies may take a while to show results and regular use of these methods is necessary for lasting results. It is important to consult a physician before deciding on a home remedy for genital warts as certain remedies may not be suitable for everyone. It is also important to follow proper hygiene practices during this time as this will help to prevent secondary infections. Make sure that you do not rub the warts or try to scrape them in any way as this will damage your skin and can cause the genital warts to spread. You should cleanse the area every morning and night with warm water and a mild antimicrobial soap. Make sure that you avoid all soaps and perfumed products as the chemicals in them can irritate your skin. Do not use underwear made out of synthetic materials as this can irritate the sensitive skin around the warts and cause discomfort.

Genital Warts Diet

Eat a diet rich in folic acid and beta-carotene. Eat fruits and vegetables like radish, mango, squash, and tomato which are orange, yellow and red in colour. Dark green and leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage and so on are recommended. You can include these in your diet in the form of large servings of salad, with your daily meals. It is best to opt for fresh foods and reduce your intake of all processed foods.

Few Suggestions for Genital warts

Avoid cigarettes and oral contraceptives. Using condoms prevents transmission to some extent. Take pap test regularly. At home treatment for genital warts is generally not advised and one should always consult the doctor when suffering from such a condition. If you are unsure as to whether you are suffering from this infection, you could look through picture of genital herpes and its symptoms in men and women. The use of detailed images and pictures is important in helping young adolescents recognize the initial signs of genital warts in men and women and this can help to control the spread of the infection.

Read More

Home Remedies for Gingivitis

Gingivitis also known as bleeding gums is the inflammation of gums due to bad oral hygiene. It is one of the periodontal diseases that affect the tissues surrounding teeth and gums. If not treated in time then gingivitis can lead to more serious gum problems like periodontitis and may eventually lead to the destruction of bone and tooth loss. You may already have gingivitis and may not know it because early stage gum diseases are seldom painful.

Gingivitis is a form of gum inflammation that is rather common and is often the beginning of gum disease or periodontal disease. Gingivitis often represents the onset of bacterial growth in the mouth and if the condition is neglected or not treated appropriately it could progress steadily to cause tooth loss due to deterioration and destruction of the tissue surrounding the teeth. Keep in mind that although gingivitis may precede periodontitis, it is not necessary for gingivitis to always be indicative of, or progress to periodontitis.

Gingivitis takes shape in the beginning with the buildup of bacteria in plaque, causing inflammation and reddening of the gums. The gums may become susceptible to bleeding because of the severity of inflammation and this may be particularly problematic when brushing the teeth. In the early stages of gingivitis the teeth are unlikely to be loose or shaky as they are still firmly planted since there is not much chance of any irreversible bone or tissue damage.

It is extremely important that a gingivitis infection is picked on early enough and diagnosed and treated properly in a prompt manner. Gingivitis symptoms should never be neglected for the simple reason that gingivitis treatment can be quite effective in these initial stages, helping to prevent any advancement to periodontitis. In periodontitis there may be some amount of separation of the gums from the bones, and the pulling away of the bones allows for the accumulation of debris in the gaps allowing for infections. Although your immune system may fight the bacteria as the plaque spreads and begins to extend beyond the gum line, the process is only slowed down, but this gradual destruction is not reversible. Moreover the effects of your immune response extend beyond the bacteria.

To elaborate, it should be pointed out that good enzymes that are released because of immunity don’t just fight off bacteria but they also start to break down the bone and connective tissue holding the bone in place. This gradual deterioration of the teeth and tissues is therefore caused by toxins or poisons released by bacteria as well as by your immune response to those bacteria. Over time the extent of the deterioration quite naturally increases and these pockets begin to increase with the extent of tissue and bone loss also increasing. Eventually the teeth become lose and fall out. Gingivitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and in most cases treating gingivitis or periodontitis promptly would suffice to avert such outcomes. Treating gingivitis naturally at home can help to some extent but the relief is for the most part symptomatic. During pregnancy when treatment options are limited however treating gingivitis with home remedies for gingivitis may be necessary and medical treatment from your dentist may be deferred till later. In all other circumstances however treatment should begin at the earliest.

Gingivitis Symptoms

The signs of gingivitis are not very hard to recognize, but it would be impossible for a lay person to correctly identify the cause of inflammation or bleeding, or any other symptom you might be experiencing. Your dentist would be most capable of making an accurate assessment of the symptoms of gingivitis and would recommend the appropriate treatment for gingivitis.

• Inflammation, swelling, redness and pain or possible bleeding of the gums are some of the most common signs of gingivitis.

• Gingivitis also causes bad breath or halitosis that would be impossible to miss.

• Gingivitis is also likely to cause some kind of discoloration of the gums and structural changes. The gums may show signs of receding and could appear to be reddened and inflamed rather than the healthy pink color they normally have. Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down or clench your teeth could be noticeable and for those who wear dentures you may notice changes in the way the dentures fit.

• The gums may not cause any pain but may be tender and painful when touched.

• Your gums would be a lot weaker and you would probably notice that they are a lot more susceptible to trauma, bleeding very often when brushing your teeth.

• In the more advanced stages the formation of pockets between the gum and teeth may be quite pronounced and easily noticeable, because of the state of deterioration of gum tissue and bone.

• The bone and gum tissue loss will also cause the teeth to become loose or shift.

Painful gums, bleeding while brushing, red gums, swollen gums, tender gums, bad breath and bad taste in mouth are some of the symptoms of gingivitis.

Causes for Inflammation of Gums

It is caused by local irritants. Plaque, bacteria and food particles accumulating between the gums and the teeth cause gingivitis. Although these accumulations may be very small, the toxic chemicals produced by the bacteria in them causes the inflammation of gums.

Other Causes

Besides plaque, some other reasons for gingivitis are drugs, viral and fungal infections, hormonal changes during pregnancy and puberty, poor nutrition, medication and so on.

Gingivitis Causes

When you talk about the possible gingivitis causes the first one that comes to mind is the buildup of plaque deposits. Plaque is a stick kind of debris that builds up on the teeth from deposits of food, bacteria and mucus that accumulate on the exposed areas of tooth and it is the primary cause of tooth decay. The most effective method of controlling the problem is through proper dental care, which would involve brushing the teeth, gargling, and cleaning the tongue. Failure to control plaque buildup will result in the formation of tartar, which is a hardened deposit towards the base of the tooth. Plaque and bacteria cause inflammation to the gums and a weakening of the teeth. In addition the release of bacteria and toxins from plaque or tartar further aggravates or irritates the gums causing gingivitis.

Injury to the gums from trauma, which could even include brushing or flossing the teeth too vigorously, may also cause gingivitis.

Misaligned or broken teeth, ill fitted fillings or poorly fitted and badly designed braces or dentures can also cause severe irritation to the gums and may also lead to infection or simply increase the risk of developing gingivitis.

Certain medications like birth control pills and phenytoin are also known to aggravate or increase the risk of gingivitis.

Hormonal changes may also make you susceptible to gingivitis because of increased sensitivity of the gums during pregnancy, menopause, or puberty.

Smoking and poor oral hygiene greatly increase the risk of developing gingivitis.

Certain diseases like HIV, diabetes and cancer or even seemingly harmless problems like a dry mouth can also contribute to the development of gingivitis.

Remedies for Swelling in the Mouth

Use of products made from essential oils helps cure gingivitis.

Gargle twice a day by a home made saline solution by putting a pinch of salt in a glass of lukewarm water. This will reduce the swelling in your mouth.

Rub your gums with clove oil or you can also keep one or clove in your mouth.

Use anti bacterial mouth wash to reduce the swelling on the gums.

Other Remedies

Use mouthwash containing sage oil, peppermint oil, menthol, chamomile tincture etc Use toothpaste containing sage oil, peppermint oil etc.

Take Vitamin C Rich Diet

Gingivitis patients should consume low saturated fats. They must include lots of fresh fruits, and vegetables in their diet. They must eat a diet rich in fiber. People deficient in Vitamin C are at increased risk for periodontal disease. They must take Vitamin C supplements to improve the gum health. Eating vitamin C rich foods is beneficial. Avoid sugar, fruit juices, white flour, white rice, soft drinks, and syrups.

Visit Dentist

Once you are sure that you are suffering from gingivitis you must see your dentist. He will thoroughly clean your teeth and gums, remove the plaque etc. Once treated, oral hygiene is very important to prevent gingivitis from re-occurring. Floss your mouth every time you eat something. Avoid stress because it contributes to plaque accumulation.

Read More

Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, commonly referred to as piles, is a condition of inflammation and swelling of the veins that are located in the anus and lower rectum. This condition develops due to pressure exerted on the veins most often from straining to evacuate the bowels or also due to other conditions like pregnancy or obesity. The condition can be very painful or at times devoid of most symptoms. It can pose risk of certain complications or be a warning sign of other disorders.

Symptoms for Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can be of two types, classified on the basis of location as either internal or external hemorrhoids. Symptoms can differ, with internal hemorrhoids not displaying typical symptoms, causing no irritation, and they are also not visible. The common symptoms of hemorrhoids include the following:

1. Painless bleeding when passing stools is the most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids.

2. Itchiness, irritation and discomfort in the anal region.

3. Pain when passing stools.

4. Protrusion of hemorrhoids from the anus or a swelling or painful, sensitive lump around the region.

Causes for Hemorrhoids

The cause for hemorrhoids is the swelling or bulge in the veins that occurs due to increased pressure on the veins in the lower rectum. The causes of this pressure are therefore responsible for the occurrence of hemorrhoids and these would include:

1. Straining to evacuate the bowels.

2. Sitting on the toilet bowl for prolonged periods.

3. The presence of chronic constipation or diarrhea.

4. Physical changes as in pregnancy or obesity.

5. Anal intercourse.

6. Weakening of tissues that support the veins as a result of aging.

7. To some extent the risk for hemorrhoids can be inherited.

Remedies for Hemorrhoids

Natural treatments are considered a much more viable option when dealing with piles as they pose little risk of long term complications and almost no risk of dependence, when compared against most medications prescribed with conventional treatment. Here are some home remedies that can help treat hemorrhoids.

1. Pomegranate peels can be used to prepare a hemorrhoids remedy, by simply boiling the peels in water. The water must then be drunk, and this practice should be done twice a day.

2. One remedy that is widely regarded is the consumption of figs that are soaked overnight in water.

3. Buttermilk can also be used to prepare another effective remedy. Just add some peppercorns, rock salt, and ginger. Drink this at least twice a day for some quick relief.

4. Another remedy involves crushing black mustard and mixing it thoroughly with a bowl of yogurt. Consume this mixture, but make it a point to chew the mustard thoroughly and wash it down with a glass of buttermilk once done.

Diet for Hemorrhoids

Dietary changes are absolutely vital for a long term solution, as home remedies or medications tend to address the immediate symptoms, without offering any long term cure.

1. Make sure that you increase your fluid intake and follow a healthy balanced diet plan, with adequate fiber content. Include plenty of leafy vegetables and fruits.

2. Eat a lot of fresh fruits as they are a natural source of fiber, but avoid refined, processed, and fast foods.

Suggestions for Hemorrhoids

For an effective hemorrhoids cure you need to also pay attention to diet and lifestyle, rather than simply rely on medications and remedies that mostly offer a temporary cure. In addition to your diet changes make it a point to follow a disciplined routine with fixed and regular meal times. Try and have four to five small meals spaced through the day rather than two large meals. Stay physically active at least with light activities like walking, swimming, or cycling.

Read More

Home Remedies for Nosebleeds

Though harmless, nosebleeds are extremely common, especially in teens. Nosebleeds are a condition where there is sudden bleeding from the nose. It may feel as if the nose is running, but it is actually blood trickling down from the nose. There is no need to worry about a nosebleed because it is almost always harmless and easy to stop.

There are two different kinds of nosebleeds. The one in which the blood comes from the front of the nose is known as the anterior nosebleed. This is caused when the fine capillaries inside the nose break and cause bleeding. The second kind of nosebleed is known as the posterior nosebleed. This occurs at the deepest part of the nose and blood may begin to flow down the back of the throat as well. This is more common in older people or those who suffer face and nose injuries or high blood pressure.

Symptoms of Nosebleeds

The basic symptom of nosebleeds is the flow of blood from the nose. Since blood is warm, you may feel a little heat in the nose. You may also feel some pressure around the nasal region before the blood starts to trickle down.

Causes of Nosebleeds

Dry air is most often associated with a nose bleed. If you experience anterior nosebleeds, the culprit is most likely dry air. Dry air can irritate the nasal membranes. This causes the formation of crusts, which may then begin to itch. When you try to pick your nose or scratch it from inside, it begins to bleed. Extreme cold or some viruses may also be associated with the itching of the nasal membranes. If you blow your nose repeatedly, that too may result in the bleeding.

Another possible cause of nosebleeds is allergies. If you have nosebleeds due to an allergy, antihistamines and decongestants may be able to stop it. Your doctor will advise you on what medication to take for the nosebleeds. Allergies may also cause the drying of the nasal membranes, causing nosebleeds.

Injuries or blows to the nose are another common cause for nose bleeds. If you receive a blow to your nose, it is possible to rupture a capillary running through it. You may use some ice to stop the bleeding. However, if the blood doesn’t stop, you may have broken your nose or hurt yourself badly and therefore, should visit a doctor immediately.

Home Remedies for Nosebleeds

Stopping a nose bleed is very simple. Clean the blood using a soft cloth. Avoid applying pressure on the site. Next, stand up or lie down to ease the flow of blood and tilt your head a little forward, pinching your nostrils right below the part where your nose is bony. Apply gentle pressure there and the bleeding should stop in a few minutes. If it doesn’t stop, use an ice pack or a cold compress around the nose.

Diet for Nosebleeds

Nutritionists suggest that people who suffer frequent nosebleeds should include more of vitamin K in their diets. Leafy greens like spinach, asparagus, and parsley are great sources of vitamin K. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts can also be included in the diet.

Other Suggestions for Nosebleeds

When you have a nosebleed, try to avoid blowing your nose. After getting a nose bleed, do not lift heavy objects for the next 24 hours.

Read More