What Can You Do About Warts on the Skin?
While warts on the skin do not usually cause you any harm, they can be itchy, cause discomfort or even be embarrassing. The exception is plantar warts on the feet, which can be very painful, like standing on a needle.
What are these warts on my skin?
Warts are small growths on the skin that are caused by thehighly contagious agents. They are typically skin-colored and feel rough to the touch. Warts can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most commonly found on the hands and feet. Warts are benign, meaning they are not cancerous, but they can be unsightly and cause discomfort. There are many types of warts, including common, plantar, and flat warts. Treatment for warts can vary depending on the type and location of the wart but may include over-the-counter creams, freezing, or surgical removal. While it's easy to recognize warts via photo, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor or healthcare provider if you have warts on your skin.
Are warts cancerous?
No, warts are not cancerous. Warts are benign, meaning they are not cancerous, but they can be unsightly and cause discomfort. Warts are caused by highly contagious agents, which is a common cause that can affect the skin and mucous membranes. While some types of warts can become malignant growth on the skin, warts are not known as cancerous. Treatment for warts can vary depending on the type and location of the wart but may include over-the-counter creams, freezing, or surgical removal. It is always a good idea to consult with a doctor or healthcare provider if you have warts on your skin.
What are the different types of warts that can appear on your skin?
Each type has a different appearance. Each type can appear on other areas of the skin.
Common warts are most likely to appear on the hands and fingers. They are typically small and rough, dome-shaped in appearance. They can be skin-colored, white, or tan and may have small, dark dots on the surface.
Plantar warts are infectious and grow on the soles of the feet or under the soles of the feet. They are small and hard and may have a rough, bumpy, or flat appearance. They may cause discomfort when walking or standing.
Flat warts: These can grow on the face, arms and legs. They're small with flat tops. They are usually light yellow, brown, or pink. Treatment for flat warts can vary depending on the size and location of the wart but may include over-the-counter creams, freezing, or surgical removal.
Filiform warts can grow on the face - usually around the mouth, nose, chin, or neck. They can be skin-colored, pink, or brown and may have a small, dark dot at the tip with thread-like growths protruding from them. Like most warts, filiform warts are benign, meaning they are not cancerous, but they can be unsightly and cause discomfort.
Periungual warts: These occur under and around the fingernails and toenails. Periungual warts are typically small and hard and may have a rough, cauliflower-like appearance. They can be painful and may cause the nail to become thickened or deformed. Periungual warts are benign, meaning they are not cancerous but can be unsightly and cause discomfort.
Wart Treatments
You can treat warts if they bother you, if they keep coming back, or, as in the case of plantar warts, if they are painful. Warts can be treated using a variety of methods. The best treatment for warts depends on the type and location of the wart, the individual's age, overall health, and personal preferences. Some common treatments for warts include over-the-counter creams, freezing (cryotherapy), and surgical removal. Over-the-counter creams that contain salicylic acid are often effective for treating warts. These creams break down the outer layer of the skin, which can help remove the wart. Freezing, or cryotherapy, is another common treatment for warts. This method involves applying liquid nitrogen to the wart, which destroys the infected tissue. Surgical removal of the wart is another option, but it is generally reserved for more severe cases. There are natural wart products that are listed with FDA that are safe and cruelty-free. It is always a good idea to consult with a doctor or healthcare provider before trying treatments for warts.
Over-the-counter treatments
You can buy creams, plasters, and sprays from pharmacies to treat warts and verrucas. These treatments can take up to three months to complete, may irritate your skin, and do not always work.
Natural treatment is best
Apple cider vinegar is thought to work like salicylic acid (a common non-natural treatment that peels away infected skin). To try it, mix two parts apple cider vinegar and 1 part water. Soak a cotton ball with this mixture. Place it on the wart and cover it with a bandage, leaving it on for three to four hours. ACV should always be diluted with water because the acidity may cause irritation and chemical burns. Another word of warning is not to apply to open wounds.
Garlic has a long history of being used to treat and heal skin conditions, including psoriasis, keloid scars, corns, and warts. Allicin, the main component of garlic, has microbial effects. It works by destroying enzymes in harmful pathogens. To use on warts, crush up one clove, mix it with water before applying it to the wart, and cover it with a bandage. Repeat daily for three to four weeks.
Pineapple is well known for its bromelain, a mixture of enzymes that digest proteins. Some have reported success with removing warts using pineapple juice in different ways. For example, one is to soak the wart in pineapple juice every day, and another by applying fresh pineapple daily.
Aloe vera is often used for burns and psoriasis and to provide relief when a wart is itchy or painful. Remove a leaf from an aloe vera plant and apply the gel to the wart, repeating daily.
Vitamin E is another home remedy for warts. This nutrient is vital for a healthy immune system and could improve your body's reaction to the wart agent. Break open a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to the wart. Repeat daily for two weeks. Protect the wart with a bandage and keep it on overnight.
H-Warts Formula is an FDA-listed 100% natural and cruelty-free topical solution with no harmful additives. The Formula is gentle on the skin and safe for adults those children over the age of 4 years. The Formula arrives with full instructions. The product is applied directly to warts using a cotton swab, with only a few drops needed for each application.
Warts usually go away on their own but using natural home remedies for warts may help speed up the process. Always do a patch test first. Even natural treatments can cause skin irritation.
Sources
American Academy of Dermatology. How do dermatologists treat warts?. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/warts#treatment. Accessed January 26, 2021.
American Academy of Dermatology. Warts. http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/u---w/warts. Accessed January 26, 2021.
Kwok CS, et al. Topical treatments for cutaneous warts. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001781.pub3/abstract. Accessed December 7, 2020.
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.