What is the Difference Between Genital Warts and PPP

The key difference between genital warts and PPP is that genital warts form around the urethra, penis, scrotum, vagina, and rectal area, while PPP form around the head of the penis.

Infectious sexually transmitted diseases are very common around the world among men and women. It is one of the leading causes of genital growths and blisters. The common infectious conditions that affect the genital area of men and women include genital warts, Chlamydia infection, etc. Sometimes, other non-infectious causes such as PPP, penile cancer, etc. may also affect men’s genital area.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Genital Warts
3. What is PPP
4. Similarities – Genital Warts and PPP
5. Genital Warts vs PPP in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Genital Warts vs PPP

What are Genital Warts?

Genital warts are small flesh-coloured bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance and form around the urethra, penis, scrotum, vagina, and rectal area. Warts can appear as soft, raised masses with a surface that can be either smooth or rough, having many finger-like projections. Other warts look pearly, cauliflower-like, or rough with a slightly dark surface. Most warts are raised. However, some may be flat with only a slight elevation above the skin surface. Some genital warts can be hidden by hair. Genital warts in women have a similar appearance to those of men and usually occur in areas such as labia minora and vaginal opening.

The symptoms of this condition may include one or more flesh-coloured or painless grey lumps around the genital area, itching, bleeding, and a change in the normal flow of urine. This condition can be diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, Pap test, and HPV test. Furthermore, this condition can be treated by applying medications like imiquimod, podophyllin and podofilo, trichloroacetic acid, and sinecatechins directly to the skin and other treatments like cryotherapy, electrocautery, surgical excision, and laser treatment.

What is PPP (Pearly Penile Papules)?

PPP (pearly penile papules are also known as hisutoid paillomas) are small skin coloured bumps that form around the head of the penis. A papule is a raised, pimple-like growth on the skin and does not produce pus. They are not infectious and are not a sign of poor hygiene. This condition does not cause any symptoms. The only sign is very small white or flesh coloured lumps that grow around the head of the penis in lines or sometimes beneath the foreskin. These bumps are not malignant or premalignant.

There is no exact cause for this condition. Health experts believe that they are a normal anatomic condition. Moreover, diagnosis of this condition is made through examining the papules appearance and skin biopsy test. Furthermore, the treatment options include therapy to alleviate anxiety, ablation using carbon dioxide laser, electrodesiccation with curettage, and excisional surgery.

What are the Similarities Between Genital Warts and PPP?

Genital warts and PPP are two medical conditions that mainly affect the genital area.
Men are affected by both genital warts and PPP.
They are not associated with serious medical complications.
Both conditions are not associated with poor hygiene.
Both conditions can be treated with surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Genital Warts and PPP?

Genital warts are small flesh coloured bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance and form around the urethra, penis, scrotum, vagina, and rectal area, while PPP are small skin coloured bumps that form around the head of the penis. Thus, this is the key difference between genital warts and PPP. Furthermore, genital warts affect both men and women, but PPP affects only men.

The below infographic presents the differences between genital warts and PPP in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Genital Warts vs PPP

Genital warts and PPP are two medical conditions that mainly affect the genital area. Genital warts are small flesh coloured bumps that form around the urethra, penis, scrotum, vagina, and rectal area, while PPPs are small skin coloured bumps that form around the head of the penis. So, this summarizes the difference between genital warts and PPP.

Reference:

1. “Genital Warts: Treatment, Causes, and Symptoms.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
2. Clarence W Brown, Jr. “Pearly Penile Papules Treatment & Management: Medical Care, Surgical Care, Consultations.” Pearly Penile Papules Treatment & Management: Medical Care, Surgical Care, Consultations, Medscape.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Pearly Penile Papule Glans Front” By AndyRich48 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Penile warts” By Jmarchn – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia