How to remove a wart at home includes simple remedies like adhesive tape, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, or clear nail polish. These methods are commonly used for warts that appear on the face, hands, arms, legs, or feet.
Warts are small skin growths caused by HPV that can appear on different parts of the body at any age and are usually harmless. Although they are generally not serious, some conditions like skin cancer or vaginal cancer can cause similar-looking lesions.
It is important to correctly identify the type of wart before starting any treatment, especially in sensitive areas such as the genital region. Different home remedies may help remove warts over time, but they must be used carefully and with proper precautions to reduce the risk of irritation or spreading the virus.
Some home remedies to remove warts include:
1. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is acidic and may help chemically exfoliate the skin, removing excess skin from the wart. For this reason, it is commonly used as a home remedy for warts.
To use apple cider vinegar, soak a piece of cotton in the vinegar and place it over the wart overnight. To keep the cotton in place, secure it with paper tape.
Because vinegar is acidic and can irritate the skin, stop using it if redness or discomfort develops. This treatment should not be used on the face.
2. Adhesive tape
Adhesive tape is a simple method sometimes used to help remove warts, as it may help remove excess skin and trigger an immune response. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, duct tape may be used as a possible at-home treatment for warts, although study results are mixed and results can vary.
To try this method, cover the wart with adhesive tape and leave it on 24 hours a day. If the tape falls off, replace it and keep using it for 2 to 3 weeks, or until the wart disappears.
When the wart becomes white and soft, gently rub it with a nail file to remove the outer layer of skin. Then apply the tape again and file the wart once a week until it goes away.
To prevent spreading the virus to other parts of the body or to other people, throw the nail file away after each use.
3. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a natural antiviral that may help fight viruses, bacteria, and fungi. For this reason, it may help fight HPV on the skin and remove warts.
To use it, apply 1 drop directly to the wart twice a day and leave it on for as long as possible. In children, or if skin irritation occurs, tea tree oil should be diluted in 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil, such as almond oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil.
4. Propolis extract
Propolis is a resin with antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has healing properties.
To use propolis, apply 1 drop of the resin to the wart at night, cover it with paper tape, and leave it on until the next morning. Apply propolis to the wart every day until it is completely removed.
5. Banana peel
Banana peel contains tannins, leucocyanidin, and thymidine, which are bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. These compounds may help fight bacteria and viruses, which may help remove warts.
To use it, cut a piece of banana peel the same size as the wart and place the inside of the peel over the wart.
Then cover the banana peel with adhesive tape and leave it on overnight, removing it in the morning. Repeat this every day until the wart is gone.
6. Nail polish
Clear nail polish, when applied directly to the wart, reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the area. This may cause the wart cells to die and help remove the wart more easily.
However, this treatment is not recommended by all dermatologists. Talk to a doctor before applying nail polish to a wart.