Common in children and teenagers, warts are mainly caused by infectious viruses. Not that they are age-restricted but they can even spread to the sensitive areas of your body including feet, hands as well as genitals. Though they are harmless yet painful. There are ample over-the-counter products in the market that you may use to protect yourself. One such among them is tea tree oil for warts.
Known for its strong smell and antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil helps in killing powerful bacteria that makes way for treating warts easily. Furthermore, the presence of antiviral properties in tea tree oil may help you in the treatment of warts. The article today explores using tea tree oil for warts and its risks. Let’s begin.
Can you use tea tree oil on warts?
Different research and studies have come to the result that tea tree oil may be effective for treating warts. The presence of antiviral properties is highly effective in protection against the human papilloma virus that instigates the cause of warts. In a study, it has been noticed that topical application of tea tree oil for warts has been effective in 10 days. While the same for the pediatric patient could take up to 12 days with regular application of the oil.
Though the studies have helped in seeing the process there is no proper efficacy. It may vary from person to person. If you are suffering from warts, it is better to consult a dermatologist beforehand rather than try traditional methodology.
Is tea tree oil good for warts?
Yes, it is! As stated above, the topical application of the oil might showcase the result within 10-15 days. You need to be patient. If you are going by the DIY treatment, you will have to be regular in the application process for faster healing.
Tea tree oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help in healing different skin issues. It helps in reducing bacterial and fungal growth which might cause warts on your skin. If you are suffering from an issue near your genital area, it is recommended not to use the oil. Consult your doctor and get a prescribed product for the same.
How long does tea tree oil take to kill warts?
It takes nearly 10-15 days for tea tree oil to kill warts. It is common to have skin warts at some point in your life. Being an essential oil, you should dilute it before applying it to the affected area. The oil has antiviral and antimicrobial properties that might be of great help to you in getting rid of warts. Not just that, the application of tea tree oil might help in activating the white blood cells of your immune system. In simpler words, topical use of tea tree oil for warts will activate white blood cell growth and help fight against the skin issue.
How do you use tea tree oil for warts?
There are different ways of using oil for warts. If you do not wish to use diluted oil, you will have to pour the essential oil exactly over warts with the help of a toothpick.
Caution – Do not spill it onto your normal skin. You may end up with redness, irritation, inflammation or even rashes. Repeat the process until warts vanish.
Apple cider vinegar and Tea tree oil
The presence of acetic acid in the vinegar helps in destroying the wart tissue. Tea tree oil’s antiviral properties enhance the effectiveness of removing warts.
Ingredients
- 1 drop of apple cider vinegar
- 1 drop of diluted tea tree oil
- 2 drops of water
- Band-aid
What to do –
Mix all the ingredients well and apply them to the affected area.
Cover it with the help of a band-aid.
Repeat the process every 6 hours for effective results.
Garlic and Tea Tree Oil
Both garlic and tea tree oil have antiviral properties. This helps in the proliferation of the infected skin cells fighting against warts.
Ingredients
- 4 drops of diluted tea tree oil
- 1/3rd crushed garlic
- band-aid
What to do –
- Apply the oil directly on the wart
- place the crushed garlic on it and secure it with a tape / band-air
- Leave it for 4 hours.
- Repeat this twice a day.
Sandalwood and tea tree essential oils
The use of sandalwood oil on the wart serves as an effective treatment for removing it.
Ingredients
- 1 drop of diluted tea tree oil
- 1 drop of diluted sandalwood oil
What to do –
- Mix the oil and apply it to the affected area
- Repeat this twice a day
Castor oil and tea tree oil
Castor oil acts as the carrier oil and is effective for treating skin warts and other skin issues.
Ingredients
- 3 drops of tea tree oil
- 1 tbsp of castor oil
What to do
- Dilute the oil with castor oil and apply it to the affected area.
- Repeat this twice a day.
Baking soda and tea tree oil
Working as an exfoliant, baking soda might help in the removal of warts. It works as an astringent that absorbs moisture and makes it fall off.
Ingredients
- Cotton ball
- 10 drops of diluted tea tree oil
- 1 tbsp baking soda
What to do –
- Mix water and baking soda to make a thick paste
- Add the oil to the mixture
- Leave it to dry and wash it off.
- Store the remaining for further use.
- Apply this twice a day
Tea tree oil benefits for warts
There are ample benefits of tea tree oil. The presence of essential properties in the oil makes it possible for the removal of warts in a painless manner.
Antiviral Properties
The presence of antiviral properties has proved to fight against common pathogens. Thus, it has been found that tea tree and eucalyptus oil are the two oils that are highly beneficial in working against herpes simplex virus which means it restricts and removes warts from the skin.
Immune Boosting
tea tree oil for warts is effective due to enhancing your body’s immunity system and functioning. The oil helps in activating the white blood cells of your immune system. This means when you are applying it to warts it will activate the WBCs to fight against warts and make them fall off.
Cleansing
Rich in antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil has been used as a traditional form of medicine for cleaning wounds and preventing infections. Warts on the hands and feet are infectious and spread from one to another. Using a homemade cleanser or DIY treatment with the help of tea tree oil (as mentioned above) will help in removing warts.
Antimicrobial Properties
Tea tree oil is rich in bacterial as well as antimicrobial properties. It helps in restricting inflammation and treats warts easily. The growth of strong bacteria and fungus is restricted as it will restrict the wart from growing and easily make it fall off with constant topical application.
Tea tree oil for warts side effects
The topical application of tea tree oil for warts is safe. It may cause allergic reactions especially if you are suffering from contact dermatitis. It is better if you do a patch test before the application.
In case you ingest the oil, it may cause ataxia, confusion as well as breathing issues. And it could be pretty severe.
If you are a new mother or pregnant, do not consider using it. If you cannot see any results in a month, consult a doctor immediately.
Conclusion
Warts then go away with or without a consultation with the doctor or your dermatologist. If the treatment is not resolved in a month and a half, you should visit your doctor. Make use that when you are using the oil for warts you are diluting it else it may even have severe side effects that could be harsh on your skin.
