No – you can’t get warts from kissing toads, but you can get rid of them by using natural treatments.
Warts are small, fleshy, benign bumps on the skin that are caused by different strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, according to the U.S. Library of Medicine (NIH).
Turns out warts are a very common skin growth in the US population. In fact, more than one in ten people living in the US will have at least one wart at some time during their lifetime, according to Chief Medical Officer and founder of saludmovil.com Dr. Joseph Mosquera.
Though they are not a serious health hazard, some people find warts a little embarrassing and would rather have them disappear sooner than later.
Many people use at home freezing methods and salicylic acids treatments you can pick up at your local pharmacy- and these methods do work- but this type of treatment can be very damaging and lead to scarring. That’s why I researched all things warts to find out what natural remedies work on warts.
Turns out there are natural wart removal treatments — and they are just as effective and fast as methods using liquid nitrogen or salicylic acid.
NATURAL TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT METHODS FOR WARTS
Whatever the type of wart or warts you may have, here are 7 natural ways to get rid of your warts.
Boost your immune system.
Warts are caused by a virus, so one of the best ways to get rid of them is to boost your body’s ability to fight them.
In fact, Dr. Mosquera says many of his patients notice warts showing up when they’re feeling lethargic, sick, or generally sluggish and overworked.
“Make sure you’re not smoking, you are getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, and look to get strong immune boosters in your diet by regularly eating lots of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables like Asiatic mushrooms such as Shiitakes or Maitakes.” recommends Dr. Mosquera.
Put some pineapple on it
Apply a fresh chunk pineapple or rub pineapple juice from a can (doesn’t need to be fresh) directly to the wart several times a day.
“The natural acids and enzymes will help break down the layers of skin in the wart and dry it out. I’d also recommend keeping the area treated covered with a band-aid or even a piece of duct-tape.” Says Dr.Mosquera
Get rid of it with garlic
“Garlic is a natural antibiotic, and eating it can help rid you of warts.” Says Dr. Mosquera
You can also apply it topically.
In one placebo-controlled trial in 2005, the application of chloroform extracts of garlic topically was reported to result in the complete resolution of cutaneous warts with no recurrence after 3–4 months.
“Mix some fresh garlic with water and apply the paste to the wart. Put a bandage or duct tape on top. You can reapply this every few hours and continue until the wart is gone.” Notes Dr. Mosquera
Rub aloe vera and lemon all over it.
Fresh juice from the actual aloe plant and lemon fruit is best. Aloe gel is also a good alternative if you don’t have fresh aloe available.
“Break off a leaf and rub aloe gel combined with fresh lemon juice directly onto the wart a few times per day. Aloe contains malic acid which helps remove warts and also heal the area fast too.And be sure to cover the area after each application. ” Says Dr. Mosquera.
Research has shown that topical aloe vera used in combination with citric acid is a option to treat warts.
Tea tree oil can do the trick.
“Apply the oil directly, massage it in, and then cover it with a bandage or duct tape. Repeat this daily.” Recommends Dr. Mosquera.
According to the Northern Ireland Public Health Laboratory’s 2008 research that focused on apply tea tree oil on warts for a 12 day period, tea tree has been found to be an effective topical application for the treatment of skin infections due to a variety of aetiological microbial agents, including mainly bacterial infections
Heat it up with hot water.
Simple sequential treatment by immersion in hot water (113°F to 118°F) has been researched and shown to dramatically improve certain cases of cutaneous warts of the hands and feet.
“Hot water can also serve as a great relief for an itchy wart. Try running a wart on your finger under the sink. This method for wart removal never hurts to try because in most cases it is free.” Notes Dr. Mosquera.
Hocus Pocus….Hypnosis? Yup.
A fascinating area about warts that has yet to be fully explained by science is why hypnotherapy works incredible well for warts.
“I’ve used it in patients as a certified in hypnotherapy and I’ve found it’s very effective. Especially with pediatric patients. The successful repeated treatments support the mind body connection of diseases.” Says Dr. Mosquera.
And although the nature of why psychotherapeutic treatment isn’t fully understood, the successful repeated treatment of warts through hypnosis been well documented through studies supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH).
“Most patients I’ve encountered have used freeze-off you can pick up at the pharmacy and apply themselves at home. At home freeze treatments are effective, but can be extremely damaging and usually lead to scarring with excessive use. There are other ways. Natural ways that treat the cause- and not just the symptom of a virus.” says Dr. Mosquera.
Are some people more likely to get warts?
Some people are naturally resistant to the HPV virus and never get warts, others have the virus but don’t have warts as a symptom, while others seem to have the non-cancerous skin growths spread like wildfire.
Though anyone can develop warts, some people are more at risk, particularly children and teens, people with a weakened immune system, and also those with occupations that handle raw meat such as poultry processing, explains Dr. Mosquera.
Contagious Through Skin to Skin Contact
“And wart viruses are contagious. You can easily contract this virus if you cut or damage your skin in some way, and then touch someone else who has it.” Says Dr. Mosquera
Warts can be spread from one location on the body to another or from person to person by contact with the wart.
“You can also contract a wart causes virus by sharing towels, razors, other personal care items, or even by spooning your partner who may have warts on their back in bed.” notes Dr. mosquera
Avoiding getting warts altogether
Although there’s no way to prevent them, Dr. Mosquera says it’s always a good idea to wash your hands and skin often.
“If you have a cut or scratch, use soap and water to clean the area because open wounds are more likely to develop warts and other infections. If a wart develops, make sure not to scratch the area.”
“Remember that warts are self-diagnosable and there is often no need for lab testing or imaging, but If you have a wart, think you have a wart, or just want more information about natural ways to get rid of warts speak with your general physician to find a specialist that is a dermatologist or podiatrist.”
Final words of warty wisdom
While you’re trying to get rid of the warts, you shouldn’t scratch, pick, bite at them, or apply a ton of lotion and take a ridiculously long hot shower that makes your fingers prune.
Agitation and wetness makes them worse, more painful, and also spreads them to other parts of your body, notes Dr. Mosquera.
“It will take time to get rid of a wart if you aren’t looking to freeze off some chunks of skin along with it. You will have to use the treatment over and over; sometimes every day. Even then, it can take weeks, or sometimes, months. Be patient” Says Dr. Mosquera