Natural Treatment for Warts: How to Get Rid of Warts?

What are Warts?

These rough, small lumps appear as a rule on the skin of feet and hands. Warts are benign and pose no danger to health.

There are different types of warts. They vary depending on thickness of the skin and their location on it. For instance, warts on the feet sole are called verruca (or plantar wart, which is their clinical name).

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for warts appearing on the skin. This infection causes excessive growth of keratin, a hard protein in the epidermis, the upper layer of the skin. As a result of this process appears hard, rough texture, called wart.

Though warts most commonly appear on feet and hands, there are types that appear on other areas of human body, too. Warts that appear on the face are called filiform warts; those, occurring on the soles of feet, are called plantar warts; genital warts appear around female and male genitals or on them. Another type of warts, called periungal, infects the skin around and under toenails and fingernail. The flat wart type is found on the commonly shaved areas such as legs or face.

Symptoms of Warts

Warts differ greatly in their sizes and shapes. They may have a smooth and flat surface, as well as a bumpy and rough one. Blood to the wart is supplied by capillaries (tiny blood vessels) that grow into the very core of the wart. These capillaries are usually visible as seeds (dark dots) in the center of both plantar and common warts.

Here is general description of main symptoms of warts:

• Usually dome-shaped, gray-brown and rough, common warts most often occur on hands, though they may appear on any other part of the body, too. They may occur singly as well as in groups.
• Developing on any part of the foot, plantar warts can have dark visible specks beneath their surface. When pushed under the skin's surface from walking or standing, plantar wart develops a layer of rough thick skin that reminds a callus. As wart and callus grow larger, they make walking quite painful, as if there is a small stone in the shoe. Plantar warts can grow into a colony, a flat, large cluster also called a "mosaic wart."
• Commonly appearing on legs, arms or face, flat warts are small (usually smaller than a green pea), have flat tops and can be light brown, light yellow or pink. As a rule, flat warts develop a colony on one area of the skin.
• The surface of filiform warts usually has multiple finger-shaped, flesh-colored projections. This kind of flat warts grows as a rule around nose, mouth and beard area.
• Found around and under fingernails and toenails, periungual warts look like irregular, rough bumps. This type of warts can affect growth of nails.
• Genital warts are usually difficult to detect, so small they are. You can find more information on them in Genital Warts topic.

As a rule neither flat nor common warts cause pain, thought they can be frustrating and can spread quite fast, especially if on areas that are frequently irritated by shaving or rubbing. For some people visible warts can be quite embarrassing and they may want to find out how to get rid of warts. Plantar warts on feet can be rather painful, especially when located on bony areas.

Causes of Warts

The human papillomavirus is a cause of warts. It infects the upper layers of skin and makes skin cells grow much faster. A single wart usually reproduces itself into multiple ones, spreading the virus to other areas of the body. All the different types of this virus flourish in damp, warm environments such as swimming pool areas, showers or locker room floors.

Warts are more likely to develop on the areas with broken skin. The virus can penetrate into your body through a cut, scrape, closely bitten nails or a hangnail. For instance, swimmers are more prone to developing plantar warts, since their feet are mostly damp, with skin not only softened, but also broken and scratched by walking barefoot on pool surfaces. And people, who handle chicken, meat or fish, are more likely to develop common warts.

Direct contact with a source of human papillomavirus is one of the main cause of warts. The virus can reproduce itself on some other area of your body, if you touch your wart and then a non-infected area. The virus can pass to others also by sharing such personal items as razors, towels, etc. After being exposed to human papillomavirus, a wart may take months to become noticeable on the skin surface. In its initial stage it grows slowly beneath the skin and it's almost impossible to get rid of warts.

However, not every exposure to human papillomavirus results in developing a wart, since some people are more prone to developing the infection than others.

How to Get Rid of Warts?

Warts do not necessarily need to be treated. As a rule, they disappear on their own, though it may take months or years. This much time human immune system needs to destroy the wart virus.

You may need to learn how to get rid of warts if:

• it is painful;
• it is easily irritated;
• it is embarrassing;
• it is spreading to other parts of the body or can infect other people.

What is essential about natural wart removal is that it should not create scar tissues, which can cause even more pain than the wart itself. There are different methods of wart removal depending on the location of wart, its type and degree of spread. The success of natural wart removal also largely depends on your willingness to follow the course of warts treatment, which may last weeks or months.

An Overview of Treatment Options for Warts

Warts are common skin growths caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). They often appear on the hands, feet, face, or other areas of the body. While warts are usually harmless, they can be uncomfortable, unsightly, and contagious. Various treatment options exist to help remove warts, ranging from conventional medical therapies to natural approaches.

Conventional Medical Treatments

• One of the most common treatments offered by healthcare professionals is cryotherapy. This procedure involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen. The extreme cold destroys the affected tissue and eventually causes the wart to fall off. Cryotherapy may require several sessions and can cause mild pain or blistering.
• Another option is laser therapy. A laser targets the blood supply of the wart, destroying the tissue and preventing further growth. Although effective, this method may be costly and sometimes leaves scars.
• Electrosurgery and curettage are also used in medical practice. Electrosurgery burns the wart with an electrical current, while curettage involves scraping away the wart tissue. These procedures are typically reserved for stubborn or larger warts.
• Topical chemical treatments are widely available, with salicylic acid being the most common. These solutions gradually peel away layers of the wart. Other chemical agents, such as cantharidin, may also be applied in clinical settings to create blisters beneath the wart, lifting it away from the skin.
• Prescription medications can be used for more resistant warts. These include creams that stimulate the immune system to attack the virus. Such treatments often require prolonged application but may be effective when other options fail.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

Pharmacies carry many wart removal products that can be applied at home. These often contain salicylic acid in different concentrations. When used consistently, these solutions can shrink and eventually remove warts. 

• Adhesive pads and medicated plasters also fall into this category, offering a convenient way to deliver the active agent.
• Freezing sprays are another over-the-counter option. They mimic clinical cryotherapy by using chemicals that lower the temperature of the wart tissue, though usually with less intensity than liquid nitrogen treatments performed in clinics.

Natural Treatment Options

In addition to medical therapies, many people seek natural alternatives. Herbal solutions, plant extracts, and topical applications of natural products may help support the body's own defenses and gradually reduce warts. Natural treatments are often chosen for their gentle approach, lower risk of side effects, and compatibility with long-term skincare routines.

Natural Products for Wart Removal

Many people prefer natural products as alternatives to medical treatments for warts. These options are widely used due to their accessibility, safety profile, and long history in traditional health practices. Natural products often work by supporting the body's immune response or by creating conditions that make it harder for the wart to survive.

• Herbal extracts are among the most common natural remedies. They are usually applied directly to the wart in liquid, cream, or ointment form. These extracts are known for their soothing properties and can be used regularly without causing significant irritation to the surrounding skin.
• Essential oils are another category of natural wart treatments. When diluted and applied correctly, they may help dry out the wart and encourage its removal. They also provide a protective effect for the skin and can be used over extended periods.
• Some natural ointments and creams combine different plant-based ingredients. These blends may provide both moisturizing effects and active support against the virus responsible for warts. Such products are easy to apply and can be included in daily skincare routines.
• Fresh plant-based solutions are also popular. These are often recommended for topical use on smaller warts and can be applied directly to the affected area. The natural compounds in these plants may assist the body in breaking down the wart tissue over time.
• Certain dietary supplements are available as part of natural wart treatment. They are taken orally to strengthen the immune system and improve the body's ability to fight the underlying viral infection. These supplements are often used alongside topical remedies for better results.

Natural products provide gentle yet effective support for wart removal and are valued for their non-invasive approach.

How Natural Products Work for Wart Removal

Natural products work against warts in several ways. They do not attack the virus directly but instead create conditions that make the wart less likely to survive. They also encourage the immune system to target the virus that causes warts, which can lead to gradual healing.

Supporting the Immune System

One of the main ways natural remedies work is by boosting the body's own immune response. Since warts are caused by a viral infection, a strong immune system is important for fighting them. Natural products may enhance the skin's ability to resist the virus and help the body recognize and eliminate infected cells.

Drying and Peeling Effect

Many topical natural treatments work by creating a drying or peeling effect on the wart. When applied regularly, they cause the outer layers of the wart to break down. Over time, this weakens the wart tissue and makes it easier for the body to shed the growth naturally.

Creating an Unfavorable Environment

Some plant-based solutions change the environment of the skin where the wart grows. By altering moisture levels or irritating the wart tissue in a controlled way, these products can slow down the growth of the wart and encourage its removal without damaging healthy skin.

Promoting Skin Renewal

Certain natural ointments and creams also support the regeneration of healthy skin cells. As the wart tissue is gradually broken down, new skin cells replace the affected area. This helps restore the skin's normal appearance and reduces the risk of the wart returning.

Combined Action

The effectiveness of natural wart treatments often comes from a combination of these actions. By drying, peeling, stimulating immunity, and supporting skin renewal, they offer a gentle but steady approach to wart removal.

Common Ingredients in Natural Products for Wart Removal

Natural wart treatments often include ingredients derived from plants, oils, or other natural sources. These ingredients are chosen for their ability to support the immune system, promote skin renewal, and gradually reduce wart tissue. Below are some of the most common ingredients found in natural wart removal products.

Plant Extracts

• Herbal extracts are widely used for their soothing and skin-supporting properties.
• They may help the skin fight viral activity linked to warts.
• Extracts are usually applied topically as liquids, gels, or ointments.

Essential Oils

• Essential oils are often included for their drying effect on wart tissue.
• They may encourage peeling and shedding of the outer wart layers.
• When diluted, they are safe for regular skin application.

Natural Acids

• Natural acids from fruits or plants are used for their mild exfoliating properties.
• They help break down the wart gradually without harming healthy skin.
• Consistent use supports the natural healing process.

Moisturizing Agents

• Natural creams and ointments often include moisturizing bases like plant butters or oils.
• These prevent dryness and protect surrounding skin while treating the wart.
• Moisturizers also support faster recovery after the wart tissue is removed.

Dietary Support

• Supplements with natural immune-supporting compounds are sometimes part of wart treatment.
• They work from within the body to strengthen defenses against the virus.
• Oral supplements are often combined with topical remedies for better results.

Fresh Plant Applications

• Direct plant-based applications may be recommended in some natural practices.
• These are simple treatments using parts of plants placed directly on the wart.
• They offer a traditional method for gentle and ongoing support.

How to Prevent Warts?

Since the virus starts developing after a person has been exposed to it, the surest preventive measure would be to avoid coming in touch with items and surfaces that may carry the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, whether you develop warts or not depends largely on how susceptible you are to the infection.

Things you can do to avoid contact with the human papillomavirus and prevent warts:

• Do not share such personal items as towels, razors, shoes or socks. A person can be carrying the virus even if he or she has no visible warts.
• Do not touch warts on others or on yourself.
• Do not walk barefoot in public places like showers, pools or locker rooms. Such moist and warm surfaces are most likely to carry the wart virus.
• Make sure your feet are always dry; if they sweat heavily, wear socks that would wick away the moisture from your skin.
• Make sure the skin of your feet soles is intact, since broken or injured skin is a gateway for the virus to your body.

Things you can do to prevent spreading of warts:

• Wear an athletic tape or a bandage over your warts to keep them covered.
• To prevent spreading of warts from one finger to others, do not bite your cuticles or nails.