Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a very widespread virus. In fact, doctors estimate that 75 percent of the population will have a wart at some point in their lives.
Warts are commonly found on the feet, hands, face and in the genital area. Although plantar warts on the bottom of your feet can be very painful, warts are generally benign, if troublesome, skin lesions. If you have genital warts or warts on your face whose removal may cause scarring, avoid home wart treatment and see a professional about medical treatment for warts.
No treatment for warts can claim to be 100 percent effective. Even state-of-the-art laser surgery and doctor-prescribed creams don't cure all warts.
Both the expense of seeking professional treatment for warts and the fact that many warts take one to two years to disappear on their own explain the growing interest in home wart treatment and natural wart remedies.
The two main categories of natural wart treatment are supplements to boost your immune system and various materials to apply on your warts as a natural wart remover.
Most often, when warts disappear, your immune system has fought them off. The following supplements are used in natural wart treatment to strengthen your immune system and speed up the process. You should consult your doctor before pursuing any of these supplement programs:
People have found a diversity of substances to use as a natural wart remover or home wart treatment, from aspirin to chalk to radishes. Some of the most common natural wart treatment practices include:
Many natural wart remedies such as pineapple, papayas and garlic, among others, eat away at your warts and dry them up, but they could also affect surrounding tissue. Be careful when pursuing natural wart treatment, and see your doctor if troubling symptoms develop.
Again, check with your doctor before using supplements and don't attempt to treat facial or genital warts on your own.
Health 911.com. (n.d.). Warts and moles. Retrieved June 20, 2010, from: http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_wart.htm.
MotherNature.com. (n.d.). Warts. Retrieved June 20, 2010, from: http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/137.cfm.
Rister, R. (2010). Thirteen natural home remedies for warts removal. Retrieved June 20, 2010, from: http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/Thirteen_Natural_Home_Remedies_for_Warts_Removal_a1248.html.
Warts Information Center. (2010). Natural wart removal. Retrieved June 20, 2010, from: http://www.warts.org/natural-wart-removal.html.
Tree.com provides information on health-related topics, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Please consult your physician if you have questions or concerns.