Do you have warts on certain parts of your body? Maybe on the face, neck, or any other area and you are desperately looking for ways to get rid of them?
Mostly, you are looking for a solution that is easy, simple, and effective; something natural that won’t lead to side effects you never planned for. Like are there any Effective Home Remedies for Warts?
If so, then you are in the right place! This article looks at home remedies for warts and how to use them. It also discusses things that people should not do for warts, some options for medical treatment, and when to speak with a doctor.
Did you know that you may be able to remove a wart at home with over-the-counter products and inexpensive home remedies, including diluted apple cider vinegar?
Read on to discover a lot more concerning home remedies for warts!
What are Warts?
Warts are raised skin irregularities and growths that result from the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV). While they are frequently observed in children and adolescents, they can affect individuals of any age.1https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/home-remedies-for-warts
Various kinds of warts exist, which encompass:
- Common warts are typically found on the hands.
- Plantar warts are often located on the soles of the feet.
- Flat warts can manifest anywhere and tend to appear in significant quantities.
- Filiform warts, resembling slender threads.
It’s important to note that warts are contagious. Individuals with warts should minimize unnecessary contact with them. If they must handle the warts for treatment purposes, immediate handwashing is essential.
What Causes Warts?
Warts form as a result of an infection known as human papillomavirus [HPV], and various strains of the HPV virus are responsible for different kinds of warts. HPV subtypes 1, 2, 4, 27, or 57 are typically the culprits behind warts on the hands and feet, while genital warts can be traced back to HPV subtypes 6 or 11.2https://www.healthshots.com/beauty/skin-care/8-top-wart-removal-home-remedies/
Subtypes 16 and 18 have the potential to cause warts in the genital regions of both males and females. The transmission of this virus can occur through contact with an individual who has a wart or by touching a surface touched by that person.
Additionally, warts can spread from one part of the body to another. Factors that increase the risk of contracting HPV include having cuts or scrapes on the skin, nail-biting habits, or a weakened immune system.
How do Home Remedies for Warts Work?
Wart treatments vary in their approaches, but generally, they aim to eliminate the wart to stop it from spreading or growing larger. Common methods involve freezing, burning, or surgically removing the wart.
In cases where warts are stubborn and resistant to standard treatments, alternative options may involve laser therapy, chemical peels, injections, or techniques designed to provoke an immune response within the warts.
Individuals seeking wart removal can consult a dermatologist for professional treatment or explore home remedies as potential solutions.
Why Do People Try Home Remedies for Warts?
Warts are harmless growths on the skin. They’re caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Warts are contagious. They can go away on their own, but it can take weeks, months, or years.
Conventional treatments include chemical peels, surgery, freezing, and laser surgery, but these treatments can be expensive and cause skin irritation. Another option is to try natural home remedies for warts.
Why Certain Home Remedies for Warts May Work
Natural remedies to get rid of warts include using foods, plants, or other products that have either antiviral or acidic properties, or enzymes that inhibit the HPV virus.
Natural antiviral remedies might help suppress the virus that causes warts, while natural acids can help remove layers of infected skin. However, you should know that the evidence for many of these remedies is anecdotal, at best.
Home Remedies for Warts From Your Kitchen
1. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an acidic substance made from fermented apple juice. It’s thought to work like salicylic acid, a common wart treatment that peels away infected skin, eventually removing the wart.
Vinegar also has natural antimicrobial properties that may help fight HPV, but more studies are necessary.
To try it, mix 2-parts apple cider vinegar and 1-part water. Soak a cotton ball with this mixture. Place it on the wart, and cover it with a bandage. Leave it on for three to four hours.
Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water. The acidity may cause irritation and chemical burns. Also, don’t apply it on open wounds.
2. Banana peels
Anecdotal evidence suggests that banana peel might help get rid of warts. However, there’s not actually any research linking banana peels to the treatment of warts or viral skin infections, nor is there scientific evidence that banana peels fight HPV.
If you want to try it, cut a piece of banana peel and tape it over the wart before bed, so that the inner part of the peel is touching your skin. Leave on while you sleep and repeat daily.
3. Garlic
Garlic has a long history of being used to heal skin conditions like psoriasis, keloid scars, and corns. It’s also used for bacterial, fungal, and viral infections such as warts. In an older 2014 study, garlic extract got rid of warts within four weeks. The warts didn’t come back.
Allicin, a key component of garlic, has antimicrobial effects and is often studied for its antiviral and immunomodulating properties. To treat warts with garlic, crush up 1 clove and mix it with water. Apply to the wart and cover with a bandage. Repeat daily for three to four weeks. You can also apply garlic juice or rub a clove on the wart.
4. Orange peels
Another popular wart remedy is orange peel. It’s an inexpensive option, but there isn’t scientific data to back it up. This remedy involves rubbing an orange peel on the wart once a day. Supposedly, the wart will change color, darken, and then fall off. This may take two weeks or more.
5. Pineapple
Pineapple is rich in bromelain, a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes that may help remove dead and damaged skin.
While there is some data to support the potential effectiveness of bromelain in treating a few medical conditions, there aren’t any scientific studies supporting its use to remove warts.
People have reported success in removing warts using pineapple juice in several ways. One method is to soak the wart in pineapple juice every day. Another technique is to apply fresh pineapple daily.
6. Potato
People claim that potato juice can “dehydrate” a wart, but no studies exist regarding its effectiveness. To try this method, cut a small potato in half. Rub the cut side on the wart until it’s covered in potato juice. Repeat twice a day.
7. Dandelion weed
Many people think of dandelions as pesky weeds. However, ancient Chinese and Middle Eastern medicine use dandelions for their medicinal properties. Dandelions have antimicrobial properties, which may be useful for fighting warts, but more research is needed to confirm.
To try this method, break apart a dandelion and squeeze out the sticky white sap. Apply to the wart once or twice a day. Repeat for two weeks. Never use dandelions that have been sprayed with chemicals.
Home Remedies for Warts From Your Bathroom Cabinet
1. Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel is commonly used for skin conditions like burns and psoriasis. If your wart is itchy or painful, the gel may provide relief. Aloe vera gel is also known to fight pathogens, including viruses.
A 2016 study found that it works against herpes simplex virus type 1, but no studies exist on its effectiveness against fighting HPV. To use aloe, remove a leaf from an aloe vera plant and cut it open. Apply the gel to the wart. Repeat daily.
2. Aspirin
Aspirin is made of salicylic acid, a common ingredient in over-the-counter wart treatments. Salicylic acid works to heal warts by peeling away the infected skin. Over time, this removes the wart.
Aspirin is thought to have a similar effect. The suggested method is to crush aspirin tablets and mix them with water. Apply the paste on the wart and cover with a bandage overnight.
3. Clear nail polish
Clear nail polish is another anecdotal wart remedy. It’s said to “suffocate” the virus, but there isn’t hard evidence of its effectiveness. At the very least, clear nail polish can act as a protective coating.
The method involves coating the wart with clear nail polish. Some people do this every other day, while others do it two or three times a day.
4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C has immune-boosting properties and is essential for wound healing and healthy skin tissue. An older natural history study from 2003 suggests that higher amounts of Vitamin C consumption are inversely associated with persistent HPV infection, but more reliable evidence is needed.
To try Vitamin C as a topical treatment for warts, crush up a vitamin C tablet and mix it with water. Apply the paste to the wart, cover with a bandage, and leave overnight. Repeat daily.
Some people claim that lemon juice and vitamin C make a more effective paste. This could be from the acidity of lemon juice. Lemon juice may cause skin irritation, so use it with caution.
5. Vitamin E
Another home remedy for warts is vitamin E. This nutrient is vital for a healthy immune system. It’s thought to improve your body’s reaction to HPV, but there aren’t any studies to support this claim.
You can puncture a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to the wart. Protect the wart with a bandage and keep it on overnight. Repeat daily for two weeks.
6. Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid serves as a versatile skin care agent utilized for general skin care, acne management, and various dermatological concerns. Notably, it also proves beneficial in addressing warts.
Individuals can expedite wart recovery and eliminate HPV-infected cells by utilizing salicylic acid patches or gels. For optimal results, consistent use over a span of 2–3 months is necessary.
The recommended salicylic acid treatment with the best attributes is the Compound W Maximum Strength Gel, which is reasonably priced at approximately $8.
This product is a gel formulation of salicylic acid, conveniently packaged in a tube with an applicator to ensure precise application on the wart.
The packaging advertises it as a potent, maximum strength formula, suitable for use up to 12 weeks. The company advises applying it once or twice daily until the wart vanishes, with the caveat that it is not suitable for children under the age of 3.
This treatment option is particularly suitable for individuals with a limited number of warts seeking an uncomplicated daily regimen. A summary of its advantages and disadvantages is as follows:
Home Remedies for Warts From your Local Store
1. Bee propolis
Honey bees produce a resin-like substance called propolis. It’s made of plant substances, beeswax, pollen, and bee enzymes. Research suggests that Propolis has antiviral properties and promotes skin cell production. It’s used to treat acne, wounds, and the herpes simplex virus.
These benefits may also help heal infected skin and fight HPV. To use propolis, apply it on the wart. Place a bandage on top and leave overnight. Repeat daily.
2. Castor oil
Castor oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is used as a natural remedy for warts, ringworm, dandruff, and other skin conditions. Apply castor oil on the wart every day. It might take two or more weeks for the wart to fall off.
3. Duct tape
Duct tape is one of the most popular home remedies for warts. It’s inexpensive and easy to find. Duct tape is said to remove the infected skin over time. Most of the research on duct tape’s effectiveness is outdated.
A 2002 study found that duct tape is more effective than freezing, but a conflicting 2007 study suggested that duct tape isn’t any better.
A 2020 study concluded that while cryotherapy has a higher efficacy than duct tape for treating plantar warts in adults, duct tape may be a practical and convenient alternative for treating plantar warts in adults in some circumstances.
To use duct tape, stick a small piece on the wart. Remove it every three to six days. Soak the wart in water and scrub it with a pumice stone or emery board. Leave it uncovered for 10 to 12 hours. Repeat the process.
If you have sensitive skin, use duct tape with caution. It may cause redness, irritation, and bleeding.
4. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat skin conditions like acne and athlete’s foot. Researchers are currently studying if the oil’s antiviral properties may also help get rid of warts.
Some methods suggest applying tea tree oil on the wart, but undiluted oil can cause skin irritation. You should always dilute it first. To do so, combine 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil with 12 drops of carrier oil, like almond oil or castor oil.
Add 3 to 4 drops of this mixture on a cotton ball. Place it on the wart for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat two or three times a day. If you experience irritation, you might need to dilute it even more.
Do you want to know more? If yes, watch the video below:
Are There Any Medical Treatments For Warts?
If natural remedies aren’t working to rid you of warts, you may want to pursue conventional medical treatment with a doctor. Some of the most effective and popular medical treatments for wart removal include:
- Cantharidin: Your doctor may treat your wart by covering it with cantharidin, a substance that will cause a blister to form under the wart. About a week after treatment, your doctor will be able to cut off the dead wart
- Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy is the most common treatment and involves a doctor freezing off your wart, but you may need to repeat treatments. It can cause dark spots in people who have dark skin.
- Electrosurgery/Curettage: Electrosurgery involves burning the wart after a local anesthetic is applied, while curettage involves scraping off the wart with a sharp tool. These two procedures are often used together.3https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-warts#takeaway
- Excision: Your doctor may cut out the wart with a sharp tool.
- Laser treatment: This is an option for warts that have not responded to other therapies. Your wart may be numbed before the procedure.
- Chemical peels: This treatment involves applying a peeling medication like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or tretinoin at home every day.
- Bleomycin: Your doctor may inject your wart with an anti-cancer medication called bleomycin. The shots may be painful and can cause nail loss if given in the fingers or toes.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment uses the immune system to fight warts. It involves applying a chemical to warts, which causes a mild allergic reaction and may cause the warts to go away.
What to Avoid in Your Wart Removal Journey
To effectively manage warts, it is crucial to steer clear of the following practices:
- Physical Removal:
It is highly discouraged to attempt the removal of warts by cutting them off. This approach carries a significant risk of exacerbating infections and leaving scars. Furthermore, it does not prevent the recurrence of warts.
- Shaving and Scratching:
Shaving areas of the skin where warts are present can create tiny tears that enable the infiltration of the HPV virus.
This can lead to the development of more warts. For instance, if someone shaves an area with warts and subsequently shaves the surrounding genital area, they may develop warts there as well.
The same risk applies to other behaviors that cause minor skin injuries, such as nail or cuticle biting, skin picking, or dealing with hangnails. These habits can facilitate the spread of HPV to other parts of the body.
Therefore, it is advisable to avoid unnecessary contact with warts and consider using patches to prevent HPV transmission.
- Unverified Home Remedies:
People should exercise caution when considering home remedies they come across online for treating warts. Many of these home remedies lack scientific validation, and not all of them are safe.
Examples of unproven home remedies for warts include the use of aloe vera, banana peels, orange peels, pineapple, or potatoes. While there is a possibility that some of these substances may offer benefits, there is no scientific evidence to support their effectiveness for this purpose.
In general, it is wise to rely on established and proven treatments and remedies, as these offer the highest likelihood of successful wart management.
How to Prevent Warts
As per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), individuals can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of warts. These measures include:
- refraining from contact with warts on other people,
- using their own towels and personal items,
- covering any cuts and scrapes to prevent infection,
- practicing regular handwashing,
- steering clear of dry or cracked skin,
- avoiding nail-biting,
- opting for flip-flops in shared areas like pools where bare feet may be common,
- getting the HPV vaccine, and
- addressing hyperhidrosis since it can heighten the likelihood of contracting HPV.
These are some common queries related to home wart prevention.
Advice from Bornfertilelady
Warts are typically benign, yet individuals might want to expedite their recovery because of discomfort or aesthetic reasons. There are various at-home treatments for warts, such as salicylic acid, duct tape, or apple cider vinegar (ACV), which could be beneficial.
Additionally, over-the-counter wart remedies are available for purchase, and consulting a medical professional for guidance and treatment is also an option.
If you have genital warts or warts on your face, do not try these remedies. The skin in these areas is extremely sensitive, so visit your doctor instead.
Warts usually go away on their own, but natural home remedies for warts may help speed up the process. Most home remedies for warts aren’t backed by evidence-based research. However, some people claim that these remedies have worked for them. Always do a patch test first. Even natural treatments can cause skin irritation.
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