While genital warts must always be assessed and treated by a doctor or specialist at a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic, common warts and verrucas can usually simply be treated at home, using a variety of vitamins and herbal supplements. Over 60 different types of warts exist and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), with warts on the bottom of the foot being flattened to turn into verrucas.
Home Remedies for Warts and Verrucas – Treatment
Although around one half of all warts will heal and disappear without requiring any treatment, there are many home remedies currently available, which can help to speed up the healing process. In The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements, Brewer (2010) recommends treatment for warts and verrucas, as follows:
- Apply vitamin E oil twice daily, covering with waterproof plaster.
- Mix tea-tree and garlic oil, apply until wart dries.
- Protect surrounding skin with petroleum jelly.
In addition to the above, the anti-viral properties associated with aloe vera gel is also believed to quicken the healing process. Lafkin et al. (2006), in Healing Supplements highlight further treatment for warts to include the following:
- Apply goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis) thrice daily.
- Daily apply pau d'arco.
- Regularly apply tea-tree oil to the wart.
If none of the above has proven to be successful, it is well worth heading to a pharmacy and inquiring about different wart freezing products, which are usually available over-the-counter. Any concerns about warts or verrucas, especially when there are multiple infections, should be discussed with one's family doctor.
How to Prevent Warts and Verrucas – Home Remedies
Clearly, as the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure and thankfully there are many home remedies available which may help to prevent suffering from warts and verrucas. Brewer (2010) recommends key ways to help prevent warts and verrucas, as follows:
- echinacea
- astragalus
- goldenseal
- garlic extracts
- vitamin C
- vitamin E
- carotenoids
Echinacea, astragalus, goldenseal and garlic extracts are all helpful in terms of boosting one's immunity against common forms of viral infections, while vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids are identified as anti-oxidants used to reduce wart growth. Lafkin et al. (2006) also recommend taking vitamin A, which is well-known as a prevention method against various skin disorders and viral infections.
Warts and verrucas may be treated at home, except for genital warts which should ideally be treated at an STI clinic. Treatment for warts and verrucas, includes aloe vera gel, tea-tree oil and vitamin E, while warts may be prevented through the use of echinacea, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and garlic extracts.
Sources:
Brewer, S. (2010) The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements London: Constable Robinson
Laskin et al. (2006) Healing Supplements Reader's Digest UK
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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