Warts are small growths on your skin that sometimes cause itchiness or pain. A viral infection of the top layer of the skin causes warts. Types of warts include common warts, flat warts, genital warts and plantar warts, which appear on the bottom of the feet. Garlic is an effective alternative medicine treatment for warts, except genital warts. There are similar alternative treatments for genital warts though. Do not use alternative medicine without approval from your doctor.
Genital Warts
Genital warts are tiny eruptions that appear in the pubic area, between the thighs, on external genitalia, inside the vagina and even in the anal canal. All types of warts can spread from human contact, but genital warts are highly contagious. Over time, genital warts grow to resemble common warts.
Garlic Remedies
A garlic patch may help you get rid of common warts, plantar warts and flat warts. To make a raw garlic patch, coat warts and the skin around then with a thin layer of olive oil of castor oil. Use only olive oil on children. Put a think slice of fresh garlic on top of the wart. Use tape to hold it in place. Add two to four drops of tea tree oil. Genital warts can respond to natural treatments too, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Coat a genital wart with beta-carotene once or twice per day. Beta-carotene is a form of vitamin A. For best results, add three to four drops of echinacea, lomatium and thuja to the mixture.
Genital Wart Medications
If herbal remedies do not get rid of your genital warts, your physician can prescribe topical medication. The Mayo Clinic advises against using over-the-counter genital wart treatments as they might irritate your skin. Your doctor may recommend Imiquimod. It is an immune-boosting cream that helps your body fight genital warts. Sexual conduct while the cream is on your skin is not recommended. Podopyllin is a plant-based resin your doctor applies to destroy the tissue of genital warts. You can use a similar product, Podofilox, at home, but your doctor may choose to administer it the first time. Your doctor can also apply trichloroacetic acid to burn off genital warts. Surgery is sometimes necessary for larger warts or those that do not respond to medication.
Gential Wart Prevention
Preventing genital warts is a better option than medications, surgery or home remedies like garlic. Use condoms to significantly decrease your risk of contracting genital warts. You may also get vaccinated with Gardasil if you are under 26 years of age. Gardasil is a vaccine for HPV, human papillomavirus. HPV causes most genital warts and can cause cervical cancer. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices advises HPV vaccination for girls starting at age 11 and 12. It is approved for women up to 26 years old. The vaccine is approved for males between 9 and 26-years-old. The best time to get vaccinated is before you become sexually active.
