A wart appears as nothing more than a small bump on the skin, but it is caused by a strain of the human papillomavirus. While the vast majority of warts aren’t dangerous, there are some home remedies that you can use to minimize or remove those unsightly lesions.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is an organic compound that can be found in a wide variety of patches and gels at most pharmacies. When that compound comes into contact with a wart, it will slowly begin to kill the virus so that the bump disappears. If you can’t find salicylic acid at a local store, then you can break up an aspirin pill and mix it with a few drops of water before applying it to the wart. Be sure to exercise caution when attempting methods such as this and keep a close eye on the surrounding area of skin. You don’t want to injure the healthy skin around the wart in your attempts to eradicate the problem.
Freezing
Cryotherapy has exploded in popularity in recent years, and it has quickly become one of the most popular natural remedies for eradicating warts. During a cryotherapy treatment session, a small dose of liquid nitrogen is going to be applied directly to the surface of the skin to quickly kill any viral matter. While cryotherapy can be effective in some situations, that treatment isn’t a good option for those who have sensitive skin or diabetes.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used for many years to cure warts as well as a wide variety of other skin conditions. Much like salicylic acid, apple cider vinegar should destroy the virus so that the skin can naturally shed the damaged cells. If you plan on using apple cider vinegar, you should keep a close eye on the nearby soft tissue to ensure that it doesn’t become inflamed.
Duct Tape
While this one may surprise some people, it’s actually a very effective way to treat warts. You start off by applying a small piece of duct tape to the wart every day, leaving it on overnight or for the entire day, then rip it off. Continue to do this both day and night until the wart is gone. This works by causing an inflammatory response and triggering your immune system to react. The hope is that your immune system will notice the wart and attack it. Do this for two or three weeks and see if it helps!
When to See a Medical Professional
Warts can be a frustrating problem that takes years to deal with, and those highly contagious bumps are notoriously difficult to get rid of. While they typically aren’t dangerous, many people find them to be unsightly. Some of the signs that you should see a dermatologist include warts that are painful, warts that have multiplied suddenly, and lesions that won’t go away after a few months. If these methods aren’t effective in killing the wart, you should head to a medical center like Advanced Dermatology of Northern California. They’ll be able to come up with a long-term treatment plan for your unique situation.
Sometimes the only way to treat warts is through a dermatologist, but it’s always worth the effort to attempt to treat them at home. Utilizing one or more of these home remedies can save you the time and money required for a trip to the doctor’s office. Always remember to consult a medical professional if you have any questions or concerns regarding your warts.
