1. Avoid Over-the-Counter Products
Getting rid of genital warts isn't always easy. Sometimes the conventional treatments fail to eliminate genital warts completely. Additionally, prescription medications and in-office procedures can be expensive. Besides their unsightly appearance, genital warts can also cause itchiness and discomfort. Consequently, some turn to over-the-counter wart removers to try to treat their genital warts at home. This is never recommended. These products are not intended for use in the genital area and can cause even more irritation. Additionally, they will likely have no positive effect on genital warts.
2. Take an Oatmeal Bath
To treat the itchiness and discomfort caused by genital warts, consider taking oatmeal baths. You may remember oatmeal baths if you had chicken pox as a child. The fine-powder version of oatmeal, known as colloidal oatmeal, can be purchased in commercially prepared packages, or you can grind oatmeal in a blender to prepare your own. Add the oatmeal to a warm bath and soak for a while. The oatmeal helps to soothe the itchiness of genital warts, but it will not help them disappear.
3. Apply Apple Cider Vinegar
One home remedy that is widely touted on the Internet is apple cider vinegar. An old folk remedy for rashes and other skin irritations, apple cider vinegar contains acids that may help your body fight off the genital warts infection. To apply, soak a cotton ball in the vinegar and apply it to the genital warts. You can hold it in place for about 1 hour or longer, or you can tape/bandage it in place for a longer period. A mild burning sensation may occur. As you might expect, results from this home remedy are mixed. Some people report excellent results and others none at all. Good results can occur in as little as a few days or as long as several weeks. A common side effect seems to be irritation of the skin that surrounds the genital warts, however. Aloe vera gel or first aid ointment can help with this irritation.
4. Other Home Remedies for Genital Warts
Besides apple cider vinegar, there are numerous home remedies for getting rid of genital warts. For example, vitamin E oil, crushed garlic, juice from an onion and juice from figs are all advocated on the Internet. The efficacy of these remedies is undocumented, however. As a rule, if you decide to use home remedies to treat genital warts, it's best to consult your doctor first. Most of these products cause few, if any, side effects, but there is no point in wasting your time with them if they have no chance of working.
