Flat warts -- small, noncancerous growths on your skin -- are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus, or HPV. They are generally harmless but can be disfiguring and even painful if they are located in areas of friction. Warts are common. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that 75 percent of all people will be afflicted with a wart during their lifetime. Doctors can remove troublesome warts with cryosurgery, electrosurgery or lasers. Some people turn to herbal remedies, including tea tree oil, for help with warts.
Flat Wart Features
Flat warts are smaller and smoother than common warts and generally appear on the face and backs of the hands. They are usually flesh-colored or pink with flat, smooth tops and lack the grainy appearance of other warts. University of Maryland Medical Center says that -- like most warts -- flat warts usually don't exceed 1/4 inch in diameter. You can get warts by using personal items touched by someone who is infected. The virus usually enters through a break in the skin.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the tea tree, botanically known as Melaleuca alternifolia, an evergreen shrub native to Australia. According to Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health, tea tree oil has antimicrobial and antifungal effects and is used in surgery, burn care and dental care, as well as to treat minor cuts, insect stings, acne, athlete's foot, and fungal nail infections. Drugs.com, which provides peer-reviewed information to consumers, concurs that tea tree oil has antimicrobial effects and notes that it has the advantage of not irritating sensitive tissues.
Clinical Research
There is some scientific research supporting the use of tea tree oil for warts. In a clinical treatment conducted by B. Cherie Millar and John E. Moore and published in the November 2008 issue of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, tea tree oil applied topically to warts on a child's finger for 12 days was effective in eliminating the warts, with complete re-epithelization of the infected areas. There is also some research supporting the belief that tea tree oil has antiviral properties. In a clinical study conducted by P. Schnitzler and colleagues and published in the April 2001 issue of Pharmazie, tea tree oil exhibited high levels of virucidal activity against the herpes simplex virus in cell cultures.
Application
To treat a wart with tea tree oil, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends placing 2 to 4 drops on the wart and placing tape over it, repeating the treatment nightly for three weeks. The effect may be enhanced by dropping tea tree oil on the wart, then placing a thin slice of fresh garlic over it before taping.
Safety Considerations
Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health says that tea tree oil is safe if used topically. Drugs.com says that tea tree oil should never be ingested orally and that, in some cases, it can cause eczema and contact dermatitis. If reddening or irritation results, rinse off and discontinue use. Don't use tea tree oil if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
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