Worried about warts? Homeopath David Needleman shares his tried-and-tested remedies for getting rid of them for good
They may be small and harmless, but warts are among the most stubborn and unsightly of skin complaints, and most of us will get them at some point in our lives.
Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), these rough lumps on the skin—sometimes itchy and painful—can appear anywhere on the body, but most commonly affect the hands and feet. Warts on the soles of the feet are known as verrucae, or plantar warts, and often have a black or dark-red dot in the center.
Warts are contagious. You can get them by having direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has them, touching contaminated surfaces like shower floors or gym equipment, or sharing personal items like towels, nail clippers and razors.
Children and teenagers are more likely to get warts, as are those who have a weakened immune system. Your immune system plays a critical role in determining whether you develop a wart after being exposed to HPV.
Warts don’t always have to be treated—they usually go away on their own after a few weeks or months. But sometimes it can take years, and many people want to get rid of them quickly, particularly if they’re painful or bothersome.
Conventional treatment of warts involves cutting them out, applying chemicals or freezing them off with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). These methods can be painful and come with nasty side effects, though. The warts can also grow back.
Homeopathy offers a gentler, holistic approach. The usual treatment starts with a constitutional remedy (based on your unique characteristics and individual health profile). This is combined with topical treatment (see below) and regular dosing of the most appropriate acute remedy for your particular symptoms.
Here are five of the most common and effective homeopathic remedies used to treat warts.
This is the most frequently prescribed remedy for warts and verrucae as well as for molluscum contagiosum (see below). For best results, apply Thuja topically (see below) as well as taking it orally. If symptoms don’t improve after a month, then you’ll need a more specific remedy or an in-depth consultation.
Suggested dosage: 30C twice a day
This remedy is often used for warts on the hands, fingertips and nose as well as for verrucae. The warts are often large and jagged and may bleed easily. There can also be a sensation of heat or burning, especially on the face.
Suggested dosage: 30C twice a day
Nitric Acid is commonly used for warts around the mouth and genital areas (although note that genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection, unlike common warts, and should not be self-treated). The warts tend to be large and jagged in appearance, bleed easily and may be accompanied by a burning sensation. This remedy is also very useful for blackheads on the face and forehead.
Suggested dosage: 30C twice a day
This remedy made from the marking nut is useful for warts on the hands, especially the palms. It’s also the remedy of choice for extremely itchy warts—the desire to scratch may be overwhelming (but try not to as this can spread the infection).
Suggested dosage: 30C twice a day, reducing to once a day when the itching subsides
Reach for Dulcamara if you have itchy warts that get worse in cold, wet weather. The warts tend to be large and smooth and mainly on the hands (with sweaty palms), but they can appear on the face too. They may also develop thick, dark, brown-yellow crusts that bleed if scratched.
Suggested dosage: 30C twice a day, reducing to once a day when the itching subsides
To use Thuja topically, apply the mother tincture (an alcoholic solution containing the undiluted original homeopathic substance) to the affected area with a paintbrush twice daily until the warts, verrucae or molluscum (see below) are gone.
Take care as the solution can stain clothing. You can also use a Thuja-containing cream.
Treatment may take weeks, but it’s gentle and generally pain-free. For a two-pronged approach, use topical Thuja alongside the oral dose, or choose the right oral remedy for your particular symptoms.
Molluscum contagiosum, sometimes called water warts, is a viral skin infection similar to warts, but it’s caused by the Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). As with warts, molluscum contagiosum will usually resolve by itself, but it can leave red marks on the skin and take up to three years to clear.
With homeopathic treatment, it takes just a few weeks, or occasionally months, to clear and no red marks are left behind. The usual remedy for molluscum contagiosum is Thuja (see above), which can be taken orally and topically alongside a constitutional remedy.
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