A wart might appear out of nowhere, and your first thought could be to search for quick and simple home cures on Google. Instead of finding something straightforward, you come across strange suggestions like using toothpaste, pineapple juice, bleach, baking powder, basil, or even baking soda on your wart.
The directions include things like burning your wart with a hot match or poking it with a needle, or massaging it with the inside of a banana peel.( hint: Avoid doing any of these )
But what is effective?
Dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, offers three effective home cures for warts as well as prevention advice.
1. Sandpaper and duct tape
One wart removal method that has a higher chance of success than others is the combo of sandpaper and duct tape, so be ready to visit your neighborhood hardware store.
Dr. Piliang advises keeping the wart taped shut all day long. "If the tape comes off, replace it right away. Warts don't like it when the skin underneath becomes pale, moist, and wrinkled. Leave the duct tape on for two to three weeks, and if the wart appears smaller, keep applying it until it disappears.
You can gently wipe the wart with sandpaper to remove the outer covering once it has turned white and soft. Replace the duct tape after that, and repeat once a week or every few days. After each use, dispose of the sandpaper.
Although using duct tape may not be effective for everyone, she argues that it is still worthwhile because it can be done safely and easily at home.
2. Cryotherapy
A cold therapy called cryotherapy is used to treat skin blemishes, muscle pain, arthritis, and inflammation. Only a doctor may do cryotherapy, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze out warts.
In order for cryotherapy to be effective, Dr. Piliang advises that it be followed with a salicylic acid treatment once the affected area has healed.
To book a cryotherapy session for your wart, consult your doctor.
3. Double up on products
Dr. Piliang advises mixing duct tape with over-the-counter wart remedies to improve outcomes.
Salicylic acid gel, liquid, or pads are examples of over-the-counter remedies that should always be tried, according to Dr. Piliang. Salicylic acid and duct tape can also be used to treat the region.
Put the wart in water and then remove the duct tape surrounding it. After that, use a pumice stone, emery board, or fine-grade sandpaper to exfoliate. Sandpaper is not only cheap, but it can also be broken up into small pieces and discarded after each usage.
The effects of over-the-counter medications may take weeks or even months of treatment and require daily administration. It's important to remember that greater concentrations (20 to 40%) of salicylic acid work best.
4. Reduce your risk of getting warts
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is what causes warts, which can spread to other parts of your body. Moreover, it can be spread from person to person.
Shave with extreme caution, advises Dr. Piliang. "Shaving over a wart can cause it to spread to other regions."
Don't pick or scratch at warts to stop them from spreading. Do not touch another person's wart. Avoid going barefoot in public restrooms and showers, and try to keep foot warts as dry as you can. To prevent the spread of HPV, which thrives in humid conditions, it's essential to constantly wash towels and garments that come into touch with the wart.
Warts are common in kids of all ages and frequently go away in a few months, treatment or no treatment. Treatment for warts is more likely to be required in adults. Don't lose up; it can take several months of repeated treatments because getting rid of the warts will stop the virus from spreading.
It's time to contact a doctor if you've tried countless home treatments for a few months without success.
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