Does genital warts cause itching?

Genital warts, also known as condyloma acuminata, are a common sexually transmitted disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Most people do not experience itching; however, some patients may develop mild itching.

In most cases, genital warts may initially present without any noticeable symptoms, and patients might be completely unaware of the condition. As the disease progresses, some individuals may experience mild itching, especially when the warts rub against clothing or the skin, making the itching more noticeable.

Many patients never feel itching throughout the entire course of the disease. For example, when the lesions are limited to the superficial skin layers without deeper involvement, and without stimulating local sensory nerves, there may be no obvious subjective symptoms. In rare cases, itching may occur when the local environment becomes excessively moist, causing irritation to the lesion and surrounding tissues, or when larger warts stimulate nerve endings in the surrounding tissue. If secondary infection occurs, such as a bacterial infection, the itching may intensify and be accompanied by pain, increased discharge, and other symptoms.

If you suspect you may have genital warts, seek medical attention promptly.