Home Remedies For Warts

Warts are small, raised growths on the skin. They are usually found on the hands and feet but can appear on any part of the body. Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are spread through contact with the skin of an infected person. Warts often go away on their own but the time frame is widely varied. They may disappear in a few weeks or linger for months or years, and can even recur.

Do I Have a Wart?
There are several different types of warts, the most common wart (called Common Wart) has a rough surface and typically appears on hands, fingers or feet. There are also Flat Warts, which are small, smooth and flesh colored, and favor the face, neck, hands and knees. Filiform Warts resemble fingers and appear mostly on the face near the lips and eyelids. The Plantar Wart is a hard lump that can be painful and often features a black-specked middle. They are usually found on the soles of the feet. Mosaic Warts appear in clusters on the hands and feet. Periungual Warts are cauliflower-like clusters that typically occur around the nails. Genital Warts are grey or flesh-toned and may be raised or flat. They may appear individually or in clusters and are found on or near the genitals. Genital warts are spread through sexual contact.

Kids and Warts
Because they are spread by touch, children get warts more often than adults. About 50% of children develop warts at some point in their lives. Prevention is always better than cure, so parents should ensure children wash their hands often, do not share towels and do not scratch or pick at their warts. If warts do occur, you may want to try one of these home remedies.

Wart Be Gone!
While generally harmless and painless (unless they are between your fingers or toes), people with warts spend considerable time and money trying to get rid of them because of their unsightly appearance.

There are several medications and medical procedures used to eliminate warts, but there are also a few proven home remedies, including apple cider vinegar, which has been touted as a remedy for a host of health concerns.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is widely available in most supermarkets. Any brand will do, but many people swear by Bragg’s Organic apple cider vinegar. For this procedure you simply apply a cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar to the wart and cover with a bandage or gauze (you will need tape to hold gauze in place) overnight. Repeat this procedure, using a clean cotton ball and bandage each time, for 5 to 7 days.

You may experience some swelling and slight pain as the wart absorbs the apple cider vinegar. After two to three days the wart will darken and will disappear within 1 to 2 weeks. Warts can be stubborn and recur. To help prevent recurring, continue the treatment for up to a week after the wart disappears.

Garlic
Though you can expect an initial sting, garlic is a natural remedy for many ailments.  Slice a fresh garlic clove in half and rub into the wart. Cover with a bandage overnight. In the morning, wash the area with water and baking soda (about 1 tbsp of baking soda to a cup of water). Repeat this process every night for 2 to 6 weeks. Wart should disappear within the six week time frame.

Vitamin E
Apply Vitamin E oil or cut open a Vitamin E capsule and apply to the affected area. Cover with a bandage. Repeat the procedure for at least a week. You should see results within a week and the wart should be completely gone within 2 weeks.

Castor oil
Rub castor oil into the wart twice a day – morning and night. The wart should disappear in three to four weeks. You may also apply a half drop of oil to the wart twice daily and cover with a bandage consistently for 3 weeks. Change the bandage daily.  

Aspirin
Make a paste with one regular aspirin and a drop of water. Apply to the wart and cover with a bandage. Repeat this twice daily for one week. If the skin becomes irritated, gently apply petroleum jelly or baby oil around the edges of the wart. Expect results in about a week.

Duct Tape and Salicylic Acid
While this method may sound a bit strange at first, it’s basic premise is to gradually remove layers of dead skin, which, logically, should help remove a wart.  You start by applying salicylic acid (available over-the-counter at pharmacies) to the wart before bedtime. Let the area dry for about a minute, then completely cover with duct tape. Remove the tape in the morning and repeat the process every night for 2 to 6 weeks.

Fighting Warts With Food
Some experts say certain foods will keep you wart-free. Folic acid and beta-carotene are key defenders against warts. They are found in colorful fruits and vegetables like carrots, squash, mangoes, tomatoes, beets, peaches, spinach and other leafy greens.