How to treat warts at home

Exfoliate with pumice stone. One of the easiest and least expensive ways to remove warts is by using a pumice stone. Pumice stone has natural abrasive properties that help scrape or grind away warts, especially those on the soles of the feet that form thick, callused areas.

• Pumice stone is an affordable option for removing warts on the surface of the skin, but it's important to know that warts have "roots" beneath the surface. Therefore, it's recommended to use the pumice stone to remove most of the wart, and then apply a compound to destroy the "roots" and prevent the wart from recurring.
• Before using the pumice stone, soak the warted area (particularly warts on the feet with thick, rough skin) in warm water for 15 minutes to soften it.

Apply salicylic acid. Using over-the-counter salicylic acid (available at pharmacies) is another method to remove the tissue of warts that appear on the skin's surface. Salicylic acid has strong keratolytic properties, meaning it dissolves keratin (a protein) on the surface of the wart and any hardened outer layers (if present). Patience is required, as it can take several weeks to eliminate large warts using salicylic acid.

• The keratolytic agent can damage/irritate healthy skin, so be cautious when applying salicylic acid in liquid, gel, ointment, or patch form. Before using salicylic acid (up to twice a day), soak the warted area and use pumice stone (or sanding pad) to help the medicine penetrate the "roots" of the wart more effectively.
• Salicylic acid products may contain dichloroacetic acid (or trichloroacetic acid) that helps burn off the visible wart. However, be careful not to apply it to the surrounding healthy skin.
• For most wart treatments, use a 17% salicylic acid solution or a 15% salicylic acid patch.
• Warts are not typically considered a medical issue and may not require treatment, especially if they are painless. Occasionally, warts may disappear on their own.

Try cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is the process of freezing, commonly used by general practitioners and dermatologists to remove warts. If desired, you can purchase over-the-counter liquid or spray nitrogen products (such as Compound W Freeze Off, Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away) to use at home. Using liquid nitrogen will cause a blister to form around the wart, which then falls off along with the wart after about a week. Multiple applications may be necessary to prevent the wart from recurring. For better results, use pumice stone or a similar tool to grind down the wart before applying the nitrogen product.

• Cryotherapy is painless. This method is often used by doctors (along with prescribed medication) to treat children’s warts and other benign skin conditions.
• Liquid nitrogen may cause light scarring or brown spots on people with darker skin. Therefore, use caution when applying it to the wart.
• Ice packs are a form of cryotherapy for treating sprains and muscle strains. However, avoid using ice packs to treat warts as they are ineffective and may cause frostbite.

Use duct tape to cover the wart. Although the exact mechanism is unclear, many reports (and some studies) suggest that frequently covering common warts and plantar warts with duct tape is an effective method. In a 2002 study, 85% of participants who used duct tape had their warts completely treated within 28 days, even more effective than cryotherapy. You can use silver duct tape to cover the wart. Afterward, remove the tape, use a pumice stone to exfoliate the dead tissue, and check whether the wart reappears. The process may need to be repeated multiple times. However, due to its low cost, ease of use, and minimal risks, this method is definitely worth trying.

• Clean the skin with alcohol and apply a piece of duct tape to the wart. Leave it on for 24 hours and replace it with a fresh piece of tape. Repeat the process for one week (or up to 6 weeks if necessary). Always use pumice stone to exfoliate the wart and apply alcohol before applying the duct tape.
• Some reports suggest that other non-porous tapes, such as electrical tape, are equally effective as regular duct tape in treating common warts and plantar warts.

Apply Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar (made from fermented apples) offers many health benefits, including treating various types of warts. It contains citric acid and a high amount of acetic acid, both of which have antiviral properties (destroying the HPV virus and other viruses). However, citric acid and acetic acid may also irritate healthy tissue, so caution is advised. You can soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place it on the wart, securing it with a bandage overnight. Change the cotton and bandage the following day. Significant improvement may take several days to notice.

• Applying apple cider vinegar may cause mild burning or swelling around the wart, but this side effect usually disappears quickly. After a week of application, the wart will darken and fall off, with new skin growing back.
• White vinegar also contains acetic acid but does not have the same effect on warts as apple cider vinegar. Research is still ongoing to determine the cause of this difference.

Try Garlic Extract. Garlic has been used for centuries to treat various health issues. Its strong antibacterial properties are due to the chemical Allicin, which helps eliminate many microorganisms, including viruses like HPV. You can apply raw garlic, mashed garlic, or garlic extract (available in stores) to the wart several times a day for 1-2 weeks. It is recommended to cover it with a bandage and replace it as needed. Apply garlic in the evening before bed to allow Allicin to penetrate deeply into the wart’s “roots.”

• In a 2005 study, chloroform garlic extract was found to completely cure warts within a few weeks, with no recurrence for up to 4 months.
• Although less effective, you may take garlic capsules to help eliminate the HPV virus from the bloodstream.

Try Thuja Oil. Thuja oil comes from the leaves and roots of the Western Red Cedar tree. It is a traditional remedy in Indian medicine used to treat many health problems due to its potent antiviral properties. Thuja oil is also a popular herbal and homeopathic remedy for treating various types of warts. The oil stimulates certain immune cells that detect and destroy viruses or infected cells, particularly useful in eradicating HPV and removing warts. Apply Thuja oil directly onto the wart, allowing it to absorb for a few minutes before securing it with a bandage. Repeat this process twice a day for several weeks. However, Thuja oil is quite strong and may irritate sensitive skin, so caution is needed when applying it to genital warts.

• It is advised to dilute Thuja oil with a bit of mineral oil or cod liver oil if applying it to sensitive skin.
• Thuja oil is often recommended for stubborn warts that have not responded to other treatments. You may see significant results after 1-2 months of daily application.
• Thuja oil is also available in homeopathic form, where you can take it in small doses several times a day. It is a small, tasteless pill containing a tiny amount of Thuja oil extract, but it has been effective in certain cases.

Use Tea Tree Oil. Applying tea tree oil (extracted from the tea tree plant) on warts can also be effective, though not as powerful as apple cider vinegar, garlic extract, or Thuja oil. Tea tree oil has strong antibacterial properties that help destroy viruses like HPV. However, it does not penetrate tissues as effectively as the other herbal treatments mentioned. Tea tree oil also boosts the immune system, which helps prevent reinfection by HPV. You can apply 2-3 drops of tea tree oil directly onto the wart twice a day for at least 3-4 weeks and monitor the results. For enhanced effectiveness, consider using a pumice stone or exfoliant to scrape off the wart tissue.

• Tea tree oil is a well-known antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient, traditionally used in Australia, New Zealand, and increasingly in North America and other countries.
• Tea tree oil may cause allergic reactions or skin irritation in individuals with sensitive skin, though this is rare.

• Avoid direct contact with warts to reduce the risk of spreading them to other areas of your body.
• Do not use a pumice stone that has been used on a wart to scrub healthy skin or your nails.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after touching a wart (whether it's your own or someone else's).