Tips and Techniques for Ridding Yourself of Warts

I have been plagued with warts for the past seven years now. While they come and go, with often a year or so in between new outbreaks, they are still a massive pain in the butt. I've had single warts last for over a year - sometimes because treatments were slow to work, and sometimes because I was just too lazy to really invest myself in treating them. Here are some things I've learned about these stubborn little suckers, and hopefully my experiences will help you in ridding yourself of your outbreaks.

Creams, Lotions, and Drugstore Products Don't Work

It's depressing, I know, but salicylic acid drugstore products simply don't do the trick. They burn, sting, and stink, but they don't heal warts. Not only do they not work, but they're extremely pricey, with some gels priced at over twenty four US dollars. Theoretically, a heavy concentration of acid to rid yourself of a persistent virus sounds logical. But most warts are so deeply rooted that salicylic acid does nothing besides burn off the top layer - which you could have done manually with a nail file or pumice stone. If these products did work, there wouldn't be so many people hailing and championing home remedies.

Freezing Works if Supplemented With Home Remedies

Getting your warts "frozen" (as in, having liquid nitrogen applied topically to the affected areas at a doctor's office) does help, somewhat. Almost all people report needing multiple treatments, and what many don't realize going in is that this treatment does indeed scar. However, here's a secret that not many realize. Before each liquid nitrogen treatment, the nurse or physician will attack the wart with a small blade to remove the hard top layer. This, actually, is part of the cure. Just removing the top layer aids in any treatment's effectiveness, and this is something you can do at home with a nail file or pumice stone. But be careful. While a few dots of blood are normal, anything more than that could merit a hospital visit or stitches. Do not under any circumstances attempt to "dig" the wart out, as it will result in a scar or possible infection.

Duct Tape, Nail Polish, and Kitchen Remedies Do Work

Nail polish and duct tape work, especially in conjunction with one or two liquid nitrogen treatments. People theorize that it's because you're suffocating the wart, with many speculating that the virus needs oxygen to survive. Most doctors dispute this, explaining that the virus which causes warts actually breeds in environments that lack oxygen. Whatever the case, these tried and true home remedies certainly have some merit. Remember to keep the wart completely covered, and they should begin to disappear within a week. Do occasionally slough off dead skin with a pumice stone, as it will aid in any treatment's effectiveness.

Bear in mind that acid alone will not remove a wart, but many people report success with applying Apple Cider Vinegar or the juice of a garlic clove before covering their wart in duct tape or nail polish. While neither has ever done much for my warts, you have nothing to lose by trying these techniques if you already have these products in the house.