What Natural Remedies Can Help Get Rid of Warts?

Warts appear as small bumps on the skin's surface, which are skin growths. They are caused by viruses from the papillomavirus family (or human papillomavirus, HPV) that enter through micro-cracks in the skin and cause cells to multiply in a specific area, forming a small, characteristic growth.

These viruses are benign and do not cause skin cancer (unlike high-risk papillomaviruses). Nevertheless, warts can be cosmetically bothersome or cause pain. They are also contagious, spreading through direct contact with an infected person or via skin flakes, for example in gyms or swimming pools. They can also spread through self-contagion from one part of the body to another.

Around 7 to 12% of people will have warts at some point, and prevalence is even higher among school-aged children, reaching 10 to 20%, with those aged 5 to 15 most affected.

There are different types of warts that appear in different locations and cause varying degrees of pain.

Common warts

Common warts are the most frequent type of wart and can take on various forms. Location: on the fingers and the backs of the hands; under the nails or around their edges.

Common round warts

They are round, rough, and dome-shaped, sometimes crisscrossed with cracks. Whether appearing singly or in clusters, they typically measure a few millimetres in diameter. Risks: severe pain, deformation, or nail detachment.

Filiform common warts

They are elongated and thread-like in shape. Location: on the face, particularly around the mouth and, in men, in shaving areas.

Flat warts

They appear as small, raised bumps, 1 to 5 mm in size, with a flat top. They may be the same colour as the skin or slightly darker. When clustered together, they form geometric shapes with multiple angles. Location: on the face, the backs of the hands, and the limbs.

Plantar warts

They form on the soles of the feet and generally on weight-bearing areas (forefoot, heel, etc.). Whether superficial or deep, discover our natural solutions and advice on how to prevent them.

Warts appear as a result of skin infection by contagious viruses from the papillomavirus family, which penetrate damaged skin through lesions (small cuts, blisters, irritated skin, etc.)

If the wart is bothersome or painful, most conventional treatments require multiple visits to the doctor.

The most commonly used products are salicylic acid, which burns the wart, and liquid nitrogen, which destroys it by freezing it (cryotherapy). Both methods can cause discomfort and pain, and leave a scar.

There is also electrocautery followed by curettage, or laser treatment.

Essential oils have the advantage of being natural and comprehensive, acting not only as a cure but also as a prevention to avoid recurrence. [Flag: claim] They have a keratolytic effect on the wart thanks to their dermocaustic properties and stimulate the immune system to help it disappear. [Flag: claim] They are also broad-spectrum antiviral agents that help combat the human papillomavirus responsible for the wart.

Natural treatments typically take 6 to 8 weeks, with daily applications 2 to 3 times a day depending on skin tolerance.

Contrary to what children's stories say, warts aren't only found on witches' noses! Very common, warts are skin growths, most often round and rough but also flat or elongated. They appear on the hands, feet, and face.

Essential oils are known for their powerful effects and their many benefits for the body. Here, we're tapping into their anti-infectious, healing, antiseptic, and pain-relieving properties. They help support the body's natural defences and soothe pain. Since warts are very stubborn, especially plantar warts, you'll need several potent essential oils to get rid of them. We often recommend using a blend of Mountain Savory, Tea Tree, Cinnamon, Lemon, and Clove essential oils.

Use a cotton swab to apply them and a carrier oil to dilute them. For painful plantar warts, opt for a blend of oils and choose oils that also have analgesic properties, such as Mountain Savory or Clove, to relieve the pain.

Under the following conditions, it is strongly recommended that you consult a doctor: 

• if the wart persists, spreads, or reappears despite natural treatments

• if it is painful

• if it deforms a fingernail

• if it bleeds, appears infected (there is redness or pus), or spreads to other parts of the body

• if it is located on the soles of your feet and causes discomfort when walking

Here are some well-known aromatherapy recipes inspired by reference guides on essential oil blends to help you care for and reduce the appearance of warts: