Home Remedies for Genital Warts

If you are noticing growths on your genital skin or around the anus, you may have genital warts. Genital warts, a very common sexually transmitted disease (STD), are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus mostly spreads through sexual intercourse.

Both men and women can suffer from genital warts. They are flesh-colored, soft bumps on the skin and mucus membranes of the genitals. The warts can appear on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, and around and in the anus. Itching or discomfort in the genital area and bleeding with intercourse are the most common symptoms of genital warts.

Lack of proper hygiene, unprotected sexual activity, multiple sexual partners and a poor immune system are some of the main causes behind the development of genital warts.

There are several over-the-counter as well as prescribed medicines that can treat genital warts. Also, you can try some easy and simple home remedies to get rid of them.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for genital warts.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a popular and highly effective home remedy for genitals warts. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is corrosive in nature. When it comes in contact with the affected skin, it helps wear down the abnormal growth of the skin tissues. Plus, its antiviral property helps kill the virus that causes genital warts.

Apply petroleum jelly on the skin surrounding the genital wart to protect the unaffected skin.
Moisten a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and apply it to the affected area.
Use an adhesive tape to hold the cotton ball in place for two to three hours.
Remove the cotton ball and wash the area with warm water.
After half an hour, repeat the process again.
Use this treatment two to three times daily for a few days or until the genital wart is completely gone.

Also, drinking apple cider vinegar diluted in water is beneficial. Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink it daily.

2. Garlic

Garlic is known for its antiviral properties, hence it can easily take care of the virus that causes genital warts.

Crush a few garlic cloves into a fine paste.
Apply the paste to the affected skin.
Cover the area with a bandage, and leave it on for one to two hours.
Remove the bandage and wash the area with lukewarm water.
Repeat two or three times daily until you get rid of the genital warts.

You can also take two garlic capsules daily until the warts are eliminated.

3. Aloe Vera

Due to its natural healing properties, aloe vera is often used in the treatment of genital warts. Plus, this herb is rich with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera can also soothe the skin and relieve itching.

Cut open an aloe vera leaf and extract the gel.
Dip a cotton ball in the gel and apply it directly on the affected area.
Secure the cotton ball with tape and leave it on overnight.
The next morning, remove the cotton ball and wash the gel off with warm water.
Repeat once daily for one month or until your warts are gone.

You can also drink aloe vera juice to boost your immune system, which in turn will help your body quickly fight off the virus that causes genital warts.

4. Castor Oil

The odorless and tasteless castor oil is used to treat many skin problems, including genital warts. The ricinoleic acid present in castor oil has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that help treat genital warts.

Soak a cotton ball in cold-pressed pure castor oil.
Put the cotton ball over the wart and secure it with tape. Leave it on overnight.
The next morning, remove the cotton ball and clean the area with warm water.
Gently exfoliate the area with a washcloth or loofah sponge to remove the dead skin cells.
Repeat this remedy daily until the wart becomes dark and eventually falls off.

5. Tree Tea Oil

Tea tree oil is another very effective treatment for genital warts. It is very beneficial due to its antiviral and antiseptic qualities.

Repeat either of the following remedies two or three times a day until the wart disappears.

Mix together four or five drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of almond oil or olive oil. Dab the oil mix on the genital warts, and leave it on for one to two hours. Then rinse it off with warm water.
Add a few drops of tea tree oil to warm bath water. Soak in this bath for 15 to 20 minutes.

Note: Tree tea oil is very strong and should not be applied in pure form because it may cause skin irritation.

6. Onion

Onion is an excellent antimicrobial agent that helps reduce the spread of the virus that causes genital warts. Plus, it promotes better blood flow and speeds up the healing process. For treating genital warts, onion should be combined with salt to get the best results.

Cut two onions into slices and sprinkle one teaspoon of salt over them.
Cover and let it sit overnight.
The next morning, put the onions in a sieve and press with a spoon to extract the juice.
Apply this juice to the genital warts.
Leave it on for one hour, and then rinse it off with warm water and pat dry.
Repeat this two or three times daily until you get rid of the warts.

Note: This remedy may cause a burning sensation, but it will go away quickly.

7. Banana Peel

Eating bananas helps boost the immune system to fight off the virus that causes genital warts. You can also use banana peel to treat genital warts. Banana peel has strong antioxidants as well as various enzymes that can dissolve warts safely.

Cut a piece of banana peel according to size of your wart.
Place the inside of the peel against the wart and secure it with tape or a bandage.
Leave it on overnight.
Remove the peel the next morning.
Repeat daily for a few weeks or until you get rid of the warts.

8. Baking Soda

Due to its antiseptic and strong anti-inflammatory properties, baking soda can help combat the virus that causes genital warts. In fact, baking soda creates an unfriendly environment for the virus to survive and thereby helps stop it from lingering.

After taking a shower, pat dry your body except the genitals. Sprinkle some baking soda onto the affected area. Leave it on overnight and wash it off in the morning. Repeat every other day until the genital warts are gone.
Alternatively, mix enough baking soda in one teaspoon of castor oil to make a thick paste. Dab the paste onto the wart and cover the area with a bandage. Leave it on for a few hours and then remove it. Repeat this remedy twice daily until the wart is gone.

9. Fig Leaf

Fig leaf is a traditional remedy for removing genital warts. The enzyme ficain present in the milky sap of the fig plant seems to combat the growth of the virus that causes genital warts. Plus, the milky sap is soothing to the skin and helps alleviate irritation.

Break open a fresh fig leaf to extract its milky sap.
Dab this milky sap onto the affected skin area and leave it on for a few hours.
Repeat this two or three times a day until you see noticeable improvement.

10. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a potent natural solution for all the discomforts associated with genital warts. Oatmeal contains anti-irritating, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that will help lessen the irritation, pain and constant itchiness caused by genital warts.

Add one to two cups of finely ground oatmeal to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. Soak in this bath water for 15 minutes. Take this soothing bath up to three times a day, depending on the severity of your condition.
As a preventive remedy, mix one tablespoon of coarsely powdered oatmeal with enough water to make a paste. Apply this on the genitals and gently scrub to get rid of dead skin cells, bacteria and sebum that clog the pores. Exfoliate once a week. Having clean and fresh skin can help prevent future warts.

Additional Tips:

Don’t scratch the warts.
Wash your undergarments in hot water and change them frequently.
Keep your genitals dry. After taking a shower, thoroughly dry your genitals with a towel or use a blow dryer.
Eat a healthy diet to speed up the healing process.
Maintain good hygiene to help clear up warts quickly.
Do not share towels or undergarments.
Avoid wearing tight or synthetic undergarments.

If these remedies and tips do not bring positive results, a visit to the doctor is highly recommended.

Resources:

umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/genital-warts
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02348.x/abstract