How to Remove Warts Using White Vinegar
The human papillomavirus, or HPV, causes nonmalignant growths on the skin called warts, according to MayoClinic.com 1. Warts generally look like raised, rough bumps on the skin. Warts may cause pain and embarrassment. See a physician to determine if the skin growth is a wart. The physician may use several techniques to remove your wart such as freezing or cutting the wart out. You may have success attempting to remove the wart at home using white vinegar. Do not attempt to treat any wart if you are not sure if the growth is a benign wart.
Using Cotton
Wash the affected area with a mild soap and water. Dry thoroughly.
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Remove the tip of a cotton swab and ball up the bit of cotton removed or use a portion of a cotton ball.
Soak the cotton in the white vinegar until the whole thing is wet. Gently squeeze out any excess vinegar. Apply the cotton to the wart. Try to avoid getting any of the vinegar on the skin surrounding the wart.
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Apply a piece of medical tape or an adhesive bandage to help secure the white vinegar soaked cotton on the skin. Leave it in place overnight.
Remove the tape or bandage in the morning as well as the cotton. Look for a darkening of the wart. This signifies the white vinegar is working.
Repeat the procedure each night until the wart turns black and falls off. The process may take up to two weeks.
- Wash the affected area with a mild soap and water.
- Try to avoid getting any of the vinegar on the skin surrounding the wart.
Soaking
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water 3.
Soak the body part with the wart in the solution for 20 minutes daily.
Repeat until the wart turns black and falls off.
Tips
If using white vinegar does not work, use the same method and try apple cider vinegar.
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References
- MayoClinic.com: HPV Infection
- Positive Health Steps: How to Cure Warts
- Nature's Treatments: White Vinegar
- InformedHealth.org. Warts: Overview. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Updated November 7, 2019.
- InformedHealth.org. What are the treatment options for warts? Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Updated November 7, 2019.
- Al Aboud AM, Nigam PK. Wart (Plantar, Verruca Vulgaris, Verrucae). Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Updated September 27, 2019.
- Liu J, Li H, Yang F, et al. Epidemiology and Clinical Profile of Cutaneous Warts in Chinese College Students: A Cross-Sectional and Follow-Up Study. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):15450. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-33511-x
- Goldman RD. Duct tape for warts in children: Should nature take its course?. Can Fam Physician. 2019;65(5):337-338.
- Cockayne S, Hewitt C, Hicks K, et al. Cryotherapy versus salicylic acid for the treatment of plantar warts (verrucae): a randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2011;342:d3271. doi:10.1136/bmj.d3271
- Baker DA, Ferris DG, Martens MG, et al. Imiquimod 3.75% cream applied daily to treat anogenital warts: combined results from women in two randomized, placebo-controlled studies. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2011;2011:806105. doi:10.1155/2011/806105
- Gaston A, Garry RF. Topical vitamin A treatment of recalcitrant common warts. Virol J. 2012;9:21. doi:10.1186/1743-422X-9-21
- Walczuk I, Eertmans F, Rossel B, et al. Efficacy and safety of three cryotherapy devices for wart treatment: A randomized, controlled, investigator-blinded, comparative study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2018;8(2):203-16. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0210-5
- Dalimunthe DA, Siregar R, Tanjung C. Comparative clinical efficacy between electrodesiccation with curettage and application of 80% phenol solution in treatment of common warts. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(2):326-9. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.074
- Chauhan PS, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Rawat R, Sharma V. The efficacy and safety of intralesional immunotherapy with measles, mumps, rubella virus vaccine for the treatment of common warts in adults. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(1):19-26. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_142_18
- Nofal A, Elkot R, Nofal E, Mazen M. Combination therapy versus monotherapy in the treatment of recalcitrant warts: A clinical and immunological study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;2018;12848. doi:10.1111/jocd.12848
- Raghukumar S, Ravikumar BC, Vinay KN, et al. Intralesional vitamin D injection in the treatment of recalcitrant warts: A novel proposition. J Cutan Med Surg. 2017;21(4):320-4. doi:10.1177/1203475417704180
Writer Bio
Abigail Adams began her freelance writing career in 2009, teaching others about medical conditions and promoting wellness by writing on online health and fitness publications. She is educated and licensed as a registered nurse, having received her degree from North Georgia College and State University.