Warts on the skin are a common problem that can affect people of all ages. The appearance of these bumps is usually caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and while it is true that many of these skin lesions are not dangerous to health, they can be very unsightly for some.
In case of appearance of warts, the most important thing is to identify what type they are to find the best treatment, however, from we anticipate that most harmless warts can improve a lot with the simple use of some natural products … did you know that in these cases apple cider vinegar can be your best ally? If you want a completely natural remedy to get rid of warts, in the following article from we show you everything you need to know about apple cider vinegar for warts. Read!
Benefits of apple cider vinegar for the face
Apple cider vinegar (also called cider vinegar), has been used for years to treat warts because it contains antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. This makes it a very suitable natural ingredient to eliminate these bumps, since as we have said before, warts are the result of a viral infection.
This ingredient also includes multiple minerals essential for strengthening the immune system, we speak, for example, of its content in phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, etc. As if that were not enough, apple cider vinegar is rich in vitamins A, B, B1, B2 and B6, as well as essential fatty acids. All this makes apple cider vinegar a perfect natural tonic to strengthen the immune system, purify the body of toxins and stimulate metabolism. These great benefits make apple cider vinegar ideal for treating certain mild problems. For example:
- Eliminates and prevents the appearance of warts
- Cleanses and tones the skin
- Treats eczema and redness
- Relieves itchy skin
- Helps treat acne
- Decreases irritation from various skin lesions (such as herpes)
- Reduces stains
Types of warts and why they come out
We have already seen that warts are small infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus with more than 100 varieties. Although most of the time these skin lesions are not a serious problem, it is essential to correctly identify what types of warts you have and go to a specialist if necessary:
- Common warts: also called vulgar, are those that appear on our skin more commonly. They appear, above all, on the hands, knees or elbows and are rough and painless.
- Filiform warts: these types of warts tend to appear on the eyelids, lips, face or neck and are characterized by having an elongated shape and being attached to it by a small stem / area. Sometimes they can be shaped like branches.
- Subungual warts: These warts appear on the toes and fingers, which makes the virus can spread more easily to other areas of our body due to touch. They can also appear on nails, which are known as periungual warts.
- Flat warts: they are common lesions in adolescents and children and are characterized by barely protruding from the skin. They are usually about 3 mm in diameter and are reddish or flesh-colored. Several may appear in the same area, and the most common areas of appearance are the fingers and face.
- Plantar warts: these types of warts arise on the soles of the feet and are very common among those people who expose their feet to damp soils (public showers, swimming pools, etc.) These warts can be painful when walking or running.
- Genital warts: as the name suggests, these warts appear in the intimate areas (vulva, penis, anus), although they can also be on the groin, thighs or even in the perianal area. These warts are usually soft in consistency, dark, and are spread through contact with the skin during a vaginal, anal or oral sexual act.
We offer you below different images with the types of warts that exist so that you can identify them more easily.
Apple cider vinegar for genital warts: is it good?
Apple cider vinegar should never be used to treat genital warts, just as it should not be used to treat filiform warts that appear near the eyes. We must bear in mind that apple cider vinegar (always mixed with water and used with caution) is a very effective remedy to treat common warts, that is, the so-called vulgar.
Thus, apple cider vinegar for genital warts is completely discouraged. Before the appearance of warts in the intimate area, from we recommend you avoid making use of any type of natural remedy; in these cases, it is best to go to the doctor so that he can offer you the best treatment for your case. For more information, be sure to visit this article on Why warts appear in the vagina and intimate area.
With this in mind, let's move on to find out how to make use of apple cider vinegar for common warts.
How to use apple cider vinegar for warts
As we have already mentioned in previous points, the properties and benefits of apple cider vinegar make this ingredient an ideal product to treat conditions such as warts. Whether you're wondering how to use apple cider vinegar for warts on your neck or want to know how to treat plantar warts or even warts on your scalp, these instructions may be helpful.
Of course, we recommend you follow the instructions to the letter, since it is important that you mix apple cider vinegar well with other ingredients so that its acetic acid does not irritate your skin. Notes:
- Before starting, clean the area of the wart to be treated well. This will help you remove the most superficial dirt and prepare the area well so that the apple cider vinegar penetrates without problems.
- Mix two parts of apple cider vinegar in one part of water. It is important not to apply apple cider vinegar directly to the skin to avoid irritation and burns, so always mix this ingredient with water before starting the treatment.
- Impregnate a sterile gauze or cotton ball in the mixture of apple cider vinegar and water.
- Next, apply it on the area to be treated, so that you soak the wart or warts with the mixture of ingredients.
- We recommend placing a tape on top of the cotton to let the ingredients take effect on the affected area.
- If you can, leave the cotton or gauze there overnight. Remember that it is a home remedy and that, therefore, you will have to be a little patient to see the results.
- The next morning, remove the gauze or cotton and clean the area thoroughly.
We recommend repeating this treatment every night until the acetic acid burns the infected skin and makes the wart fall. This step-by-step is perfect for warts on the neck, arms, legs, face or even warts on the scalp. However, there are other instructions you can follow if you're wondering how to remove warts with apple cider vinegar if they are on your hands or if they are plantar warts.
- Fill a bowl of water and apple cider vinegar in equal parts.
- Be sure to always put as much water as apple cider vinegar, otherwise it could irritate your skin.
- Immerse the affected area in the mixture for about 10-15 minutes a day.
- After this time, do not forget to rinse with plenty of water and dry the skin well.
For more information on How to Remove Plantar Warts, check out this other article from. And, if on the contrary, you want to know how to remove warts on the neck safely and quickly, in this other article we offer you a more detailed step by step. Finally, we also offer you a detailed article on How to remove warts on the head.
Apple cider vinegar: contraindications and tips
Although apple cider vinegar for warts is a quick and effective treatment, it is important to keep in mind some details and tips. Before using this natural remedy, read carefully the possible side effects and contraindications of apple cider vinegar.
- If you feel burning on your skin, rinse the affected area thoroughly with water. Apple cider vinegar contains a very low % acetic acid; however, it could cause burning in sensitive skin. To avoid this, always dilute apple cider vinegar with water before use and pour more water into the mixture if you try it and still feel discomfort on the skin.
- If you get rashes, stop using the remedy and clean the area well with natural soap and water. It could be an allergic reaction to vinegar, so we recommend not to use more remedies based on this ingredient. If the rash persists, contact your doctor.
- It is essential to always dilute the vinegar with water and never apply it on open wounds, wherever they are.
- If you are undergoing medical treatments to combat warts, you can consult with your doctor about the possibility of simultaneously using this natural remedy.
Finally, it should be remembered that there is no scientific research that supports with total certainty that apple cider vinegar for warts is effective. There are studies that show that this ingredient acts as a disinfectant and antifungal, which would explain why throughout history it has given good results when it comes to acting as an anti-wart treatment.
