Removing warts with apple cider vinegar: Evaluating success and potential risks
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has gained popularity as a home treatment for warts due to its acidic properties. The primary active ingredient, acetic acid, creates an acidic environment that can irritate the virus causing the wart and promote the gradual exfoliation of affected skin[1][2].
Typical application involves soaking a cotton ball or pad with ACV, applying it to the wart, and securing it with a bandage or plaster overnight. Repeated daily treatment over several days or weeks is often necessary for visible results[3][4]. The acidity may slowly break down the wart infection and cause the wart to fall off naturally[4][5].
However, it's important to note that while ACV is widely used and considered safe, results vary individually. Persistent or severe warts should be evaluated by a healthcare professional for other treatments.
Potential side effects and cautions include skin irritation, redness, burning, or blistering at the treatment site due to the corrosive nature of vinegar[5]. Because it is acidic, improper use or leaving ACV on sensitive skin for too long might cause discomfort or skin damage. Users should avoid applying ACV on broken or sensitive skin and discontinue use if severe irritation occurs.
In summary:
- ACV can effectively remove warts by acid-induced exfoliation and viral irritation[1][2][5]. - Application typically involves cotton soaked in ACV, secured on wart overnight for days to weeks[3][4]. - Possible side effects include skin irritation, redness, burning, blistering; caution is required[5].
Other treatments for warts include the application of cantharidine in a doctor's office and various treatments recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. When using ACV for wart treatment, watch the skin around the wart carefully for signs of a chemical burn.
It's essential to remember that while ACV is not an approved treatment method for warts, it can still be an effective home remedy for some individuals. Soak the wart for around 10 minutes, using warm water, before applying salicylic acid. However, ACV should not be applied to sensitive areas such as the genitals or face due to the risk of chemical burns and skin damage.
The wart may swell, throb, or turn black within the first 1 to 2 days, which might signal that the skin cells in the wart are dying[6]. These sprays create a blister around the wart, which will eventually fall off.
References: [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4020724/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665073/ [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6390844/ [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6390844/ [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6390844/ [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6390844/
- The use of apple cider vinegar (ACV) in wart treatment is a popular homemade remedy, thanks to its acidic properties and the active ingredient, acetic acid [1][2].
- Vinegar helps create an acidic environment that can irritate the virus causing warts and promote gradual exfoliation of affected skin [1][2].
- Typical application involves soaking a cotton ball in ACV and securing it with a bandage or plaster on the wart overnight, often for several days or weeks [3][4].
- It's crucial to apply ACV carefully, as it can cause skin irritation, redness, burning, and blistering at the treatment site due to its corrosive nature [5].
- If improperly used or left on sensitive skin for too long, ACV may lead to discomfort or skin damage [5].
- Apart from ACV, other wart treatments include cantharidine and various solutions recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology [6].
- Using ACV for wart treatment requires monitoring the skin around the wart for signs of a chemical burn [6].
- When the wart swells, throbs, or turns black within the first 1 to 2 days, it might indicate that the skin cells in the wart are dying [6].
- It's noteworthy that ACV is not an approved treatment method for warts, but it can still be effective for some individuals. It's important to avoid applying it to sensitive areas such as the genitals or face [6].
