Warts are benign growths on the skin. They are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Warts are contagious. They may go away on their own, but it may take weeks, months, or years. Traditional treatments include chemical peels, surgery, freezing, and laser surgery, but these treatments can be expensive and cause skin irritation. You can also remove warts with home remedies. Here is a list of popular natural remedies. For some of them there is still no medical evidence. Therefore, it is recommended that if you have such a problem, you should consult your doctor first.
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Why certain home remedies can work
Natural means of getting rid of warts include foods, plants, or other products that have either antiviral or acidic properties or enzymes that inhibit the HPV virus. Natural antivirals can help suppress the virus that causes the warts, while natural acids can help remove the infected layers of skin.
Remove warts with apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an acidic substance made from fermented apple juice. It is believed to work like salicylic acid, a common wart treatment, which sloughs off the infected skin and eventually removes the wart. Vinegar also has natural antimicrobial properties that could help fight HPV, but more studies are needed on this. To try it, mix 2 parts apple cider vinegar and 1 part water. Saturate 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 acid content can cause irritation and chemical burns. Also, do not use it on open wounds.
Garlic has long been used to cure skin conditions such as psoriasis, keloid scars and corns. It is also used for bacterial, fungal and viral infections such as warts. In an older 2014 study conducted by Trusted Source, garlic extract got rid of warts within four weeks. The warts did not return. Allicin, a key component of garlic, has antimicrobial effects and is widely studied for its antiviral and immunomodulatory properties.
To treat warts with garlic, crush 1 clove and mix with water. Apply to the wart and cover with a bandage. Repeat the application daily for three to four weeks. You can also apply garlic juice or rub the wart with a clove.
Orange peels are an inexpensive option
Another popular remedy for warts is orange peel. It’s an inexpensive option, but there’s no scientific data to support it. This remedy involves rubbing an orange peel on the wart once a day. The wart is said to change color, darken, and then fall off. This can take two weeks or more.
Dandelion herb has long been used medicinally
Many people consider dandelions to be a troublesome weed. However, in ancient Chinese and Middle Eastern medicine, dandelion is used for its medicinal properties. Dandelion has antimicrobial properties that could be useful in fighting warts, but more research is needed to confirm this. To try this method, crack open a dandelion and squeeze out the sticky white juice. Apply it to the wart once or twice a day. Repeat this for two weeks. Never use dandelions that have been sprayed with chemicals.
Remove warts with aloe vera
Aloe vera gel is often used for skin conditions such as burns and psoriasis. If your wart is itchy or painful, the gel can provide relief. Aloe vera gel is also known to fight pathogens, including viruses. To use aloe, take a leaf from an aloe vera plant and cut open. Apply the gel to the wart. Repeat the application daily.
Aspirin helps thanks to the salicylic acid
Aspirin is made up of salicylic acid, a common ingredient in over-the-counter wart medicines. Salicylic acid heals warts by peeling off the infected skin. Over time, this will remove the wart. The suggested method is to crush aspirin tablets and mix them with water. Apply the paste to the wart and cover it with a bandage overnight.
Vitamin C for healthy skin tissue
Vitamin C has immune-boosting properties and is important for wound healing and healthy skin tissue. An older 2003 study from credible sources suggests that higher vitamin C consumption is inversely related to persistent HPV infection, but more reliable evidence is needed. To try vitamin C as a topical treatment for warts, crush one vitamin C tablet and mix with water. Apply the paste to the wart, cover with a bandage and leave on overnight. Repeat the process daily. Some people claim that lemon juice and vitamin C make a more potent paste. This could be due to the acidity of the lemon juice. Lemon juice can cause skin irritation, so use with caution.
Vitamin E for a healthy immune system
Another home remedy for warts is vitamin E. This nutrient is important for a healthy immune system. It is thought to improve your body’s response to HPV, but there are no studies to support this claim. You can pierce a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to the wart. Protect the wart with a bandage and leave it on overnight. Repeat the process daily for two weeks.
Bee propolis is effective against warts
Honey bees produce the resin-like substance called propolis. It consists of plant substances, beeswax, pollen and bee enzymes. Propolis contains a special compound called pinocembrin, a flavonoid that acts as an antifungal. Thanks to these anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, propolis is helpful in wound healing. Research suggests that propolis promotes the production of skin cells. It is used to treat acne, wounds, and the herpes simplex virus. These benefits can also help heal infected skin and fight HPV. To use propolis, apply it to the wart. Apply a bandage and leave it on overnight. Repeat the process daily.
Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties
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 to the wart every day. It may take two or more weeks for the wart to fall off.
Adhesive tape removes infected skin
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 infected skin over time. To apply tape, stick a small piece on the wart. Remove it every three to six days. Soak the wart in water and scrub with a pumice stone or emery board. Leave them uncovered for 10 to 12 hours. Repeat the process. If you have sensitive skin, use tape with caution. It can cause redness, irritation, and bleeding.
Remove warts with home remedies: tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat skin conditions such as acne and athlete’s foot. Researchers are currently investigating whether the oil’s antiviral properties may also help get rid of warts. Some methods suggest applying tea tree oil to the wart, but undiluted oil can cause skin irritation. You should therefore always dilute it first. To do this, mix 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil with 12 drops of a carrier oil, such as B. almond oil or castor oil. Place 3 to 4 drops of this mixture on a cotton ball. Place it on the wart for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat this two to three times a day. If you experience irritation, you may need to dilute the oil even more.
