Warts are raised growths of skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the hands and feet. A person may have one wart or a cluster of warts. There are many types of warts, but all are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
Warts may go away on their own, but it can take months. They may also be treated with medicine to dissolve the wart. They can also be removed with cold, heat, or laser therapies. Some people may benefit from therapies to boost the immune system.
Natural Therapies
Likely Effective
These supplements are likely to treat warts:
May Be Effective
These therapies may provide benefit:
- Bee propolis is a compound made by bees. G1
- Duct tape is a strong cloth-backed waterproof tape. C1-C5
- Nutraceuticals (supplements) E1, E2
- Smoke of burnt populus euphratica tree I1
Not Enough Data to Assess
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References
Vitamin D
REFA1 Aktaş H, Ergin C, et al. Intralesional vitamin D injection may be an effective treatment option for warts. J Cutan Med Surg. 2016;20(2):118-122.
REFA2 Raghukumar S, Ravikumar BC, et al. Intralesional vitamin D injection in the treatment of recalcitrant warts: a novel proposition. 2017;21(4):320-324.
Zinc
REFB1 Sharquie KA, Al-Nuaimy AA. Treatment of viral warts by intralesional injection of zinc sulphate. Ann Saudi Med. 2002;22(1-2):26-28.
REFB2 Al-Gurairi FT, Al-Waiz M, et al. Oral zinc sulphate in the treatment of recalcitrant viral warts: randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Br J Dermatol. 2002;146(3):423-431.
REFB3 Khattar JA, Musharrafieh UM, et al. Topical zinc oxide vs. salicylic acid-lactic acid combination in the treatment of warts. Int J Dermatol. 2007;46(4):427-430.
REFB4 Cusini M, Micali G, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of nitric-zinc complex in the treatment of external genital warts and "difficult-to-treat" warts: a "proof of concept", prospective, multicentre, open study. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2015;150(6):643-648.
REFB5 Mohamed EE, Tawfik KM, et al. The clinical effectiveness of intralesional injection of 2% zinc sulfate solution in the treatment of common warts. Scientifica (Cairo). 2016;2016:1082979.
REFB6 Loo SK, Tang WY. Warts (non-genital). BMJ Clin Evid. 2009 Sep 24;2009. pii: 1710.
Duct Tape
REFC1 de Haen M, Spigt MG, et al. Efficacy of duct tape vs placebo in the treatment of verruca vulgaris (warts) in primary school children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160(11):1121-1125.
REFC2 Wenner R, Askari SK, et al. Duct tape for the treatment of common warts in adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(3):309-313.
REFC3 Focht DR 3rd, Spicer C, et al. The efficacy of duct tape vs cryotherapy in the treatment of verruca vulgaris (the common wart). Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002;156(10):971-974.
REFC4 Kwok CS, Gibbs S, et al. Topical treatments for cutaneous warts. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(9):CD001781.
REFC5 Loo SK, Tang WY. Warts (non-genital). BMJ Clin Evid. 2009 Sep 24;2009. pii: 1710.
Lipid Garlic Extract
REFD1 Kenawy S, Mohammed GF, et al. Evaluation of TNF-α serum level in patients with recalcitrant multiple common warts, treated by lipid garlic extract. Dermatol Ther. 2014 Sep-Oct;27(5):272-277.
Neutriceutical
REFE1 De Luca C, Kharaeva Z, et al. Coenzyme Q(10), vitamin E, selenium, and methionine in the treatment of chronic recurrent viral mucocutaneous infections. Nutrition. 2012 May;28(5):509-514.
REFE2 Cassano N, Ferrari A, et al. Oral supplementation with a nutraceutical containing Echinacea, methionine and antioxidant/immunostimulating compounds in patients with cutaneous viral warts. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2011 Jun;146(3):191-195.
Other Therapies
REFF1 Simonart T, de Maertelaer V. Systemic treatments for cutaneous warts: a systematic review. J Dermatolog Treat. 2012 Feb;23(1):72-77.
Propolis
REFG1 Zedan H, Hofny ER, et al. Propolis as an alternative treatment for cutaneous warts. Int J Dermatol. 2009 Nov;48(11):1246-1249.
Homeopathic Medicine
REFH1 Loo SK, Tang WY. Warts (non-genital). BMJ Clin Evid. 2009 Sep 24;2009. pii: 1710.
REFH2 Kainz JT, Kozel G, et al. Homoeopathic versus placebo therapy of children with warts on the hands: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Dermatology. 1996;193(4):318-320.
REFH3 Labrecque M, Audet D, et al. Homeopathic treatment of plantar warts. CMAJ. 1992 May 15;146(10):1749-1753.
Smoke of Burnt Populus Euphratica Tree
REFI1 Rahimi AR, Emad M, et al. Smoke from leaves of Populus euphratica Olivier vs. conventional cryotherapy for the treatment of cutaneous warts: a pilot, randomized, single-blind, prospective study. Int J Dermatol. 2008 Apr;47(4):393-397.
Hypnosis
REFJ1 Spanos NP, Williams V, et al. Effects of hypnotic, placebo, and salicylic acid treatments on wart regression. Psychosom Med. 1990 Jan-Feb;52(1):109-114.