An introduction wart treatments
The commonplace nature of warts means that a variety of home and herbal remedies have arisen over the years, specifically targeted at relieving the external and internal symptoms of the infection.
It is important to remember that relieving the superficial symptoms of warts will be unlikely to have an impact on your internal symptoms, namely the spread of the HPV virus.
Therefore, it is essential that you try and find a way of supporting your immune system whilst dealing with the physical manifestation.
Home remedies
There are a number of home remedies aimed at supporting the immune system and tackling the underlying cause of warts – the HPV virus.
These natural solutions are not sanctioned by a doctor but have been used many times over the years to great success. If you notice that your warts are worsening or any changes in your skin, please do not hesitate to contact your GP.
- Relax: If you are suffering from an episode of warts, one of the best things that you can do is to try and relax. Stress, anxiety and apprehension will only place more pressure on your immune and digestive system, ultimately making you more susceptible to contracting the HPV virus and enabling your existing physical symptoms to persist. Instead of worrying about your appearance or the visibility of your symptoms, try to unwind and keep calm by indulging in activities that you enjoy and make you feel good about yourself. Splurge on the couch and reach your favourite book or spend an evening snuggled up in front of the television with a good film. There are even some forms of exercise, such as yoga or tai-chi, which can regulate your stress levels and teach you proper breathing techniques so that you can take control of your stress in difficult situations
- Good nutrition: A healthy diet often equates to a healthy body. What you eat can either support or stress your immune system so it is important to try and cut out the bad stuff and increase your intake of good foods. Try to reduce your consumption of caffeine and refined sugars and instead focus on eating plenty of green vegetables, wholemeal carbohydrates and anti-oxidant fruits. You can try to incorporate these into your diet, either by adding a portion to each of your meals or blitzing up one of our nutrient-rich smoothies! These should contain an abundance of essential vitamins, such as vitamins C, B, E and D which can work to strengthen your immune system and provide enough nutrients to fight off any infections. Cut back on alcohol and fizzy drinks and make sure that you are drinking plenty of water to keep you hydrated. If you feel yourself craving a cup of coffee, you could also try our caffeine-free alternative Bambu, or enjoy a cup of herbal tea instead
- Avoid direct and indirect contact: It might seem difficult, especially if you have children, but the best way you can avoid an outbreak of warts is to try and reduce your contact with any contagions. Limit physical contact with people who you know carry the condition and try to wear gloves to prevent anyone from passing the infection on to you through a handshake. Don’t share clothing or towels with anyone and if you or your children plan on visiting the local leisure centre, make sure that you bring flip-flips and dry your feet thoroughly after exiting the showering facilities. These precautions are not guaranteed to stop you from catching the HPV virus, but they can at least minimalise the likelihood and give you peace of mind
- Thuja ointment: Thuja ointment is made using natural extracts from thuja, an evergreen tree native to North America. It is often used in treatment of colds and other viral infections, although it is not recommended for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. Thuja is believed to contain properties that can fight off certain infections, like the HPV virus and it can be applied topically to the affected area of the skin in order to relieve any external symptoms. If you are interested in trying this method, could visit Your Health Food Store as they stock a range of thuja products
- Aloe vera: Famous for its healing properties when it comes to burns and bruises, aloe vera is a popular plant with most skin experts and is usually a primary ingredient in conventional skin creams and burn remedies. Fresh extracts of the plant can be used to soothe inflammation while its anti-bacterial properties help to cleanse the lesion and ward off any potential infections. You can apply aloe vera directly to the affected area – just remember to dilute the extract first with a little water
- Manuka honey: Unprocessed, raw manuka honey can be extremely beneficial when it comes to combatting an outbreak of warts. It works as a natural anti-viral agent and, when applied topically, can effectively suffocate the wart, taking away its supply of oxygen and killing the virus. If taken internally, manuka honey can also work to support the immune system, revitalising the immune cells and encouraging proper function. You can find an array of manuka honey products available at Your Health Food Store
- Garlic paste: It was reported in a study in the International Journal of Dermatology, that garlic was a valuable treatment for warts and corns. This is likely due to the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal qualities of the herb, which work to prevent the spread of viruses and bacterial infections. You can apply garlic to your warts by mixing with water until it forms a paste – do not attempt to apply without diluting first. You may need to reapply this remedy regularly before you notice the effects
- Basil: Basil is a useful herb with a variety of interesting properties. It can act as an anti-viral, being able to tackle the spread of the HPV virus, relieving any physical symptoms. Fresh basil leaves work best for this treatment – try crushing the leaves until the juices start to run and then apply topically to the warts, reapplying regularly every day. This should reduce their appearance and quicken the healing process, returning your skin back to the way it was.
Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat many different ailments, including skin infections like warts.
Our natural treatments are intended to ease the symptoms of warts by combatting both the physical and psychological side-effects of the condition.
If you have any concerns or notice that your symptoms are persisting, then you should speak to your doctor as soon as possible
- Neem cream: Neem has often been used as a remedy for dry, sore skin and is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral agent. When applied topically, it can work to soothe rough skin, reducing the healing time and helping warts to diminish. Neem Cream is made using extracts of neem leaves and is suitable for vegetarians, although it should be avoided during pregnancy or if you suffer from nut allergies
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an excellent anti-oxidant nutrient and is brilliant for supporting the health of the immune system and your skin cells. It is commonly advised that sufferers of warts increase their intake of vitamin C, with some even recommending it as a topical treatment for the condition. Nature-C is our vitamin C supplement that is made from fresh fruit extracts and can be taken by virtually anyone over the age of 6
- Echinaforce®: Echinaforce® is a natural remedy aimed at strengthening your immune system against the spread of viral infections, such as the common cold or flu. The solution is made from extracts of the Echinacea plant, which has been used in herbal medicine for centuries, and is known to support your immune function. This treatment is suitable for most adults but is not recommended for breastfeeding mother, pregnant women or children under the age of 12
- AvenaCalm: AvenaCalm is a mild stress remedy and can be used to gradually support your emotional distress, enabling you to cope in difficult or demanding situations. Warts can sometimes appear in highly visible areas of your body, such as your hands, arms or even your face, affecting your self-esteem and making you feel anxious in public. AvenaCalm can help to ease any feelings of apprehension and relieve any stress that you might be suffering from, allowing you to get on with your day, unimpeded by anxiety or low moods.
Conventional medicines
In ordinary cases of warts, your doctor will likely advise you to wait the infection out as symptoms normally diminish after a certain period of time. However, if your warts are unusually persistent or manifesting on an area of your face, then further action might be needed and your doctor might recommend one of the following treatment options.
- Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is usually the first treatment that your doctor will recommend, although it does not tackle the HPV virus head-on. Instead the medicine tries to treat symptoms of dry skin by increasing the levels moisture in the skin, making it easier to shed dead skin cells and consequently reducing the appearance of warts. However, since this remedy does not try to deal with the underlying cause, it can sometimes be ineffective against particularly persistent bouts of warts
- Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy is a process whereby liquid nitrogen is applied to your wart to eliminate any infected skin cells. This treatment can be uncomfortably and often painful, giving rise to a number of unpleasant side-effects, such as blistering and skin discolouration. The procedure is not lengthy but you may require frequent rounds of therapy before your warts disappear
- Surgery: Surgery will normally only be considered if all other treatments have failed. The most common approaches are laser surgery and electrosurgery. Laser surgery works by burning the warts with a powerful ray of light, destroying the affected skin cells. Electrosurgery, on the other hand, works in a similar way, by killing the infected cells with an electric current. Neither of the surgeries works to effectively treat the source of the warts, the HPV virus, and both can leave scarring.
