Warts can be best described as skin growths – main cause is human papillomavirus (HPV). Let it be known, there are close to 60 types of HPV – some cause warts on the skin in various areas of the body. This virus triggers fast growth of cells on the outer layer of the skin. In many cases, warts are located on the fingers, near the fingernails, hands, face – they can also be located in the genital area. In this article on home remedies for warts information will be given on the types, causes, symptoms and easy methods by which you can treat the ailment.
The shape of a wart resembles a solid blister or cauliflower.
Types Of Warts
There are 5 major types of warts. Each one of them appear on different parts of the body with distinct appearance.
Common Warts
These grow usually on fingers and toes but it can be seen anywhere else. Common warts have a very rough appearance with usually have a rounded top. These warts will look naturally grayer than the surrounding skin.
Planter Warts
Warts appearing on the soles of feet are known as plantar warts. Unlike all other warts, these planter warts grow on the skin not out of the skin. They are usually flesh-colored or also can be in light brown – a sharp gaze can tell they are flecked by blood vessels in small clots appearing as very small black dots.
Gential Warts
The genital warts are noticed in the genitals, pubic area, around the anus and in the areas of the vagina. Their color is often red or pink. Kindly note, they can spread rapidly. Some may cause mild pain, itching and bleeding.
Flat Warts
Warts seen on the face, neck , thighs and arms are known as flat warts. They are flatter, smaller and smoother than other warts and can be seen in children and teens.Since these warts are small in appearance it can’t be seen easily.
Filiform Warts
There is also another type of wart which can grow on the mouth, nose, neck and beneath the skin (Filiform warts).
Periungual Warts
Warts that are painful, and are located under and around the fingernails and toenails are called as periungual warts.
The virus known as HPV (or human papillomavirus) are the causes of this discomfort. Kindly note, you can easily catch the virus if you have a scrape or cut on the skin. The main reason – so many children are affected by warts. They can also be seen in adults where there are more chances of small injury such as the face (shave) and legs in case of women. If not taken proper precaution, warts can spread from one place to another.
The infection is contagious and can easily spread while touching a wart on your body or another individual’s body. You can also get affected if you touch a item the another person’s wart touched (best example – towel or exercise equipment).
Warts can come in various sizes and shapes. It can either have an appearance of a bump with rough surface or it can be smooth and flat. A sharp gaze can tell that the core of the wart is supplied by blood from the tiny blood vessels. The color of capillaries will depend on the types of warts.
A common wart can grow either single or in clusters. They are gray-brown, dome-shaped and can grow on any part of the body.
Plantar warts occur on the foot and if the discomfort becomes larger, walking will be painful.
Flat warts are light brown, pink or light yellow in color. They are usually found in males because of the shaving habit.
Finger shaped growths of this type are known as filiform warts and they are found on the beard, nose and mouth area.
1. Garlic
Use a fresh garlic from the kitchen. It is an effective home remedy from the common warts.
Step 1
Take a garlic clove and crush it on the affected area.Some people gets a rash when using fresh garlic. But its not so dangerous, But it will be irritating a bit. If its irritating for you , you can use this remedy. But leave only the crushed garlic on the warts and leave on for an hour.
Step 2
You can cover the area with a bandage. But before that clean the area affected with warts with soap and water. Make it dry with a cotton towel before applying the bandage.
Step 3
Let the medicinal component perform its work. Give a duration of twenty minutes.
Step 4
You can wash the area with warm water.
The process has to be repeated twice a week.
How Does It work?
The healing properties of garlic can act on the wart and it will fall off. In case of larger warts, the time will be more. The magic component is allicin, which has antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Garlic is tested with more than 100 patients with different age groups. All of them get cured of warts with no side effects. The only complaint raised was the smell of garlic and a bit of irritation.
Not Good, If:
You have sensitive skin. Do not perform this process if you face signs of bleeding in the wart.
2. Castor Oil
Castor oil is used for effective treatment of skin disorders that include warts.
Step 1
You can apply castor oil on the affected area five times a day. Use a cotton ball to perform the procedure.
Step 2
Ensure the area is entirely soaked and covered in oil.
Alternate Method
You can put the castor oil soaked cotton ball over the affected area, tape it and go to sleep. In the morning, you can wash with warm water.
If the wart has fallen off, rub the affected area with a pumice stone.
How Does It work?
The medicinal component in castor oil is ricinoleic acid, that is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects. Kindly note, that this home remedy works well if the warts are small and they are located on the face or the hands.
3. Banana Peel
Known for their antioxidant properties, the banana peels can be used to treat effectively warts. They perform two processes – the oils and chemicals dissolve the wart as well help the skin develop immunity to ward off the virus. For better and quick results, use green banana peels than ripened banana peels.
Step 1
Cut a banana peel into pieces and tape over the wart
Step 2
The method is effective if done during the night.
How Does It Work?
The banana peels contain rich resources of carotenoids and polyphenols. Both these compounds can be classified as phytochemicals having antioxidant properties. Medical research has found that banana peels (unripe) have more of these anti-oxidants than ripe banana peels.
The other anti-oxidant found in the same is known as ‘lutein’ – can neutralize free radicals that can cause damage to not only organs but also the skin. Also, the peels also contain ant-histamines, which offer relief from itching and reduce inflammation.
4. Papaya
Papaya has enzymes that can dissolve dead tissues and it can be used effectively for skin problems such as warts etc.
Step 1
Make cuts on the outer layer of a unripe papaya.
Step 2
Collect the sap, that comes out.
Step 3
Mix the sap with water.
Apply on the affected area, morning and in the night.
In the morning give a duration of twenty minutes and wash with warm water. In the night, you can leave as it is.
How Does It Work?
The two enzymes which work for this process are called as papain (vegetable pepsin) and chymopapain.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
This liquid is useful and it can be used on all kinds of warts.
If you have sensitive skin, dilute it with water and honey. Apply on the affected area.
Step 1
Take a cotton ball, dip in apple cider vinegar and apply on the affected area.
Step 2
Repeat the process for a week, morning and evening for a week.
How Does It Work?
The two acids responsible for the cure are malic acid and lactic acid. They assist in softening and exfoliating the skin. The acid in the vinegar peels away the affected skin.
6.Coconut Oil
Virgin Coconut oil is a good home remedy you can use it for warts.
Step 1
Heat the coconut oil slightly and apply to the warts.
Step 2
Massage for a few minutes so that the oil is absorbed by the skin.
Step 3
Do not rinse after massage.Do this regularly twice or thrice a day.
How Does It Work?
Coconut oil helps heal plantar warts, facial warts and even genital warts. The medium chain fatty acids of coconut oil have antimicrobial effects and easily remove the wart with regular application of the oil. Coconut oil also acts as an emollient and soothes the skin.
Wart Removal Using Duct Tape
Duсt tаре іs а рорulаr hоmе rеmеdу fоr wаrts, but іt іsn’t а gооd іdеа fоr еvеrуоnе. Κеер rеаdіng tо fіnd оut іf уоu shоuld usе duсt tаре tо gеt rіd оf а wаrt.
Ноw Tо Usе Duсt Tаре Tо Gеt Rіd Оf Wаrts
То usе thіs rеmеdу
- Аррlу а smаll ріесе оf duсt tаре dіrесtlу tо thе аrеа оf уоur wаrt аnd gо аbоut уоur dау.
- Оnсе еvеrу thrее tо sіх dауs, rеmоvе thе duсt tаре аnd rub thе wаrt wіth аn еmеrу bоаrd оr рumісе stоnе. Yоu mау аlsо соnsіdеr sоаkіng thе wаrt іn wаrm wаtеr whіlе іt’s ехроsеd.
- Rерlасе thе duсt tаре wіth а nеw ріесе аftеr 10 tо 12 hоurs оf аіr ехроsurе.
- Тhіs рrосеss іs саllеd “duсt tареоссlusіоn,” аnd іt shоuld rеmоvе thе wаrt, lауеr bу lауеr. Іt mау tаkе sеvеrаl wееks fоr thіs mеthоd tо fullу gеt rіd оf а wаrt
How Does It Work ?
Wаrts аrе а vіrus wіthіn thе bоdу. Тhеу саn rеоссur. Unlіkе оthеr trеаtmеnts, duсt tаре dоеsn’t sееk tо trеаt thе undеrlуіng vіrus thаt саusеs thе wаrt оr tо іdеntіfу thе “rооt” оf thе wаrt. Іnstеаd, соvеrіng а wаrt wіth duсt tаре рrеvеnts thе vіrus frоm sрrеаdіng furthеr bу stорріng thе wаrt frоm соntасtіng оthеr раrts оf уоur skіn.
Valuable Prevention Tips
If you have got affected with a wart, follow these instructions:
- Ensure you do not prick warts. Also, maintain good hygiene.
- Do not touch warts and make sure you do not transfer the infection to others.
- Isolate the clothes and other equipment you use. Ensure and do not allow others to touch them.
- You have to, mandatorily, keep the hands dry as well as clean before & after applying the home remedy solutions on warts.
- Do not brush, shave or use comb on the areas that are infected with warts.
When To See A Doctor
Kindly pay a visit to the doctor if:
If the infection is consistent – you tried home remedies for the first time – they were eliminated – they have come back.
You are not sure if the growths are warts (general misconception – corns or calluses are mistaken for warts).
You suffer pain in the affected areas; there is discharge of foul smell fluid.
You have a very weak immune system and the infection is fast spreading to other areas.
Of the over the counter medicines, many of them contain salicylic acid. Kindly note there are not many treatments for warts on the face or lip and it is recommended to consult your doctor.
Many of the treatments are for reducing the symptoms of infection and boost the immunity. Some of the popular medicines are retinoid (Tretinoin) cream. Similar to apple cider vinegar, it thwarts the wart’s growth. However, you have to follow the instructions.
There are other treatments such as Cantharidin (component – trichloracetic acid). Cover the affected area with a clean bandage. There are other treatments such as:
Usage of liquid nitrogen for freezing the wart. The Doctor can then remove the wart.
Laser or surgery to remove the wart.
Immune boosting stimulants such as squaric acid. Application of the stimulant to the skin can ward off the virus.
