When skin warts appear, it can seem as if the
harmless growths came out of nowhere. But common warts are actually an
infection in the top layer of skin, caused by viruses in the human
papillomavirus, or HPV, family. When the virus invades this outer layer of
skin, usually through a tiny scratch, it causes rapid growth of cells on the
outer layer of skin – creating the wart.
Since everyone encounters the viruses that
cause warts, why do some people get skin warts while others do not? Doctors
aren’t sure, but they believe that certain individuals have immune systems that
are more able to fight off the viruses and prevent warts from growing.
For example, children get skin warts much
more often than adults. This is probably because their immune systems have not
yet built a strong defense against the numerous strains of human papillomavirus
that they will encounter over their lifetimes.
Remedies
for skin warts
1. Garlic
Garlic has
antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that fight viral
infections.
- Crush a garlic clove and apply it on
the affected area. Cover it with a bandage.
- Leave it on for about 20 minutes and
then wash the area thoroughly.
- Repeat this treatment twice daily for
about a week. The caustic effect of the garlic will cause the wart to
blister and fall off. Larger warts may take longer to heal.
If you do
not like the smell of garlic, you can take garlic capsules three times a day
for a week.
2. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Apple cider
vinegar also has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
- Dilute two parts apple cider vinegar
in one part water.
- Apply this solution on the affected
area using a clean cotton ball. Cover the area with a bandage or tape.
- Repeat this simple remedy for a few
weeks. Within a few days, the warts will start turning black. Soon after,
the warts will fall off leaving a small mark that will gradually vanish.
3.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is
highly acidic in nature and hence can help wear the wart away and also fight
the virus itself.
- Crush two to three vitamin C tablets
in a bowl.
- Add a little water and mix it to form
a fine paste.
- Rub the paste on your warts and cover
the area with a bandage. Initially it will cause some burning sensation,
but it will quickly go away.
4. Hot
Water Soak
Soaking
warts in slightly hot water will soften them and help them to heal quickly. A
hot water soak will also help fight the virus and prevent infection. Plain hot
water is fine, but some white vinegar or Epsom salt can also be added to make
the treatment more effective.
Before
following this remedy, slough the affected skin area with an emery board or pumice
stone for best results. Also, make sure the water is not too hot to prevent
burning your skin.
5. Baking
Soda
Due to the
antiseptic and strong anti-inflammatory properties present in baking soda, it
can help combat viruses that cause warts.
- Mix one teaspoon of white vinegar with
baking soda to make a thick paste. Dab the paste on your warts twice a day
(once in the morning and once at night).
- You can also mix baking soda and
castor oil together to form a paste. Apply it to the wart and cover the
area with a bandage. Leave it on overnight and remove the bandage the next
morning. Repeat this remedy for several days, until the wart is gone.
6. Aloe
Vera
Aloe vera is
known for its anti-inflammatory properties that can be very effective in
treating warts.
- Extract the gel from an aloe vera
leaf.
- Apply the fresh aloe vera gel on your
wart using a clean cotton ball. Then use a bandage or tape to hold the
cotton ball over the wart.
- Repeat the process twice daily for two
weeks.
If you do
not have an aloe vera plant at home, you can buy aloe vera gel at the drug
store and rub it on the wart several times a day.
7. Tree
Tea Oil
Tea tree oil has strong antiviral properties,
making it a great natural ingredient to treat warts.
- Tea tree oil is very strong so dilute it with water or aloe vera gel
before using it on the affected skin area.
- Apply the diluted tea tree oil on your warts several times during
the day and especially at night before going to bed.
The oil is easily absorbed by the skin, so it
will immediately fight the virus causing this problem.
8. Castor
Oil
Pure cold-pressed castor oil can be used to
cure various skin disorders, including warts. The main component of castor oil
is ricinoleic acid, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial
properties. Castor oil works best on small, flat warts on the face and the back
of the hands.
- Apply castor oil on your warts several times a day. Make sure the
affected area is thoroughly soaked and covered with the oil.
- Before going to bed, soak a cotton ball in castor oil and tape it
over your wart. In the morning, clean the wart and soak it in warm water
for a few minutes. Then rub off the dead skin with a pumice stone.
- Repeat this remedy for a few days. The wart will become dark and
gradually fall off.
9. Banana
Peel
Banana peels have strong antioxidant
properties that can successfully treat warts. The chemicals and oils present in
the banana peel will dissolve the wart and help your immune system fight off
the virus that caused it.
- Cut a piece of banana peel and tape it over your wart. Do this as
often as you can and especially before going to bed, leaving it on
overnight. For faster results, use green banana peels rather than peels
from ripe bananas.
- You can also rub the affected area gently with a fresh slice of
banana. Depending on the size and type of wart, you may have to repeat
this remedy for several days to several weeks.
REMEMBER
If you are someone who frequently gets common
skin warts, it is important to focus on prevention and treat your skin warts
promptly when they do appear.
The first way to prevent skin warts is to
avoid coming into contact with the virus:
- Be sure you wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.
- If you work out at a gym, make sure that you clean equipment before
use with a clean towel.
- Protect yourself in the gym locker room and shower by wearing rubber
flip-flops or sandals.
The second way to prevent skin warts is to
keep your skin as cut- and nick-free as possible.
Try to keep skin healthy and moisturized to
avoid having open cuts or fissures in the skin, which would provide a portal
for the virus to get into the skin.