Studies show that the antiviral properties of tea tree oil may help you deal with warts. This article explores why you should consider using tea tree oil for warts and potential risks. Read on. In another study, researchers observed that daily application of topical tea tree oil removes warts in a pediatric patient in 12 days (2). Tea tree oil is traditionally used for healing multiple skin issues, including acne. It has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties and reduces bacterial and fungal growth. It is especially beneficial in managing skin issues like acne, seborrheic dermatitis, chronic gingivitis, and issues caused by other oral pathogens (3), (4). Tea tree oil promotes wound healing by cleansing the wound site, preventing bacterial and fungal invasion. It is considered safe for topical use unless you are allergic to it (5), (6), (7). It has antiseptic properties and helps activate the white blood cells to fight infections and heal wounds effectively (8). Although a few case studies found tea tree oil to be effective as a potential treatment for warts, more studies are required to prove its efficacy. If you have warts, consult a dermatologist before trying any traditional treatment methods. In the next section, we have discussed how you can use tea tree oil on warts.
How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Warts
Note: Avoid using undiluted tea tree oil on the skin. It may irritate the skin and may worsen an existing condition. For all the recipes, dilute 2-3 drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of any carrier oil (coconut, jojoba, avocado, olive, and almond oils).
1. Apple Cider Vinegar And Tea Tree Oil
You Will Need
1 drop of apple cider vinegar 1 drop of diluted tea tree oil 2 drops of water Band-aid
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Change the band-aid every 5-6 hours and reapply the blend. Why This Works Vinegar (including apple cider vinegar) contains acetic acid and helps destroy the wart tissue (9). The antiviral properties of the tea tree oil amplify its effect on the wart-causing virus.
2. Garlic And Tea Tree Oil
You Will Need
2-4 drops of diluted tea tree oil 1/3 teaspoon of crushed garlic Adhesive tape
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Repeat with freshly crushed garlic twice a day. Why This Works Garlic has antiviral properties and inhibits the proliferation of infected skin cells. It is effective against skin warts (10).
3. Castor Oil And Tea Tree Oil
You Will Need
2-3 drops of tea tree oil 1 tablespoon of castor oil
What You Have To Do Dilute the tea tree oil with castor oil and apply it to the wart. How Often You Should Do This Do this twice a day. Why This Works Castor seeds are often used for treating skin warts and other skin issues. The oil is extracted from the seeds and may help reduce warts (11).
4. Tea Tree And Sandalwood Essential Oils
You Will Need
1 drop of diluted tea tree oil 1 drop of diluted sandalwood oil
What You Have To Do Mix the two oils and apply the blend to warts. How Often You Should Do This Apply this twice a day. Why This Works The topical application of sandalwood oil is effective in the treatment of common warts (12).
5. Tea Tree Oil And Baking Soda
You Will Need
1 tablespoon baking soda 8-10 drops of diluted tea tree oil 1/2 cup of water Cotton ball
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Apply this twice a day. Why This Works Baking soda is an exfoliant and may help remove warts from the skin. It is also an astringent and may absorb moisture from the wart and make it fall off. However, baking soda is not a proven solution for warts. Check the quality of the tea tree oil before buying. Always buy 100% pure and certified organic tea tree oil. These are a few ways to use tea tree oil for warts. How fast does it work on warts? Scroll down to learn!
How Fast Does Tea Tree Oil Work On Warts?
It depends on the therapeutic concentration of tea tree oil and the treatment’s duration. In general, it may take four weeks to six weeks for the wart to fall off. Topical tea tree oil is generally safe. But it may cause some side effects. Check them out in the next section.
Side Effects And Risks Associated With Tea Tree Oil
Topical treatment of tea tree oil is considered safe. However, it may cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis (13). Always do a patch test before using it. Be careful not to ingest tea tree oil as it may cause ataxia (loss of muscle coordination), confusion, and breathing problems and lead to coma (14). If you are pregnant or nursing, always consult a doctor before using essential oils or any other alternative therapy. If you do not see any results from the treatment or develop side effects, consult a doctor.
When To Consult A Doctor
Warts often go away with or without treatment. However, if they do not resolve with treatment, persist for over six to eight weeks, and are painful, consult your doctor immediately. Can I mix tea tree oil with Vaseline? Yes, you can mix tea tree oil with Vaseline and apply it to the skin. Applying it to wounds or acne breakouts may help reduce the appearance of scars. The antifungal and antibacterial properties of tea tree oil help fight the infection while Vaseline moisturizes the area. Can I leave tea tree oil on my face overnight? Yes, applying tea tree oil on the face overnight can help treat inflamed and non-inflamed skin lesions. You can apply it before going to bed and rinse it off with warm water the next day. Can I mix tea tree oil with water? Yes, it is advised not to use tea tree oil without diluting it as it may irritate the skin. You can add water, aloe vera gel, or any carrier oil of your choice to dilute it. Can tea tree oil remove blackheads? Yes, the antibacterial and antifungal properties of tea tree oil make it an excellent solution against blackheads. Applying tea tree oil helps dry out the blackheads and unclog the pores. Does tea tree oil expire? Yes, tea tree oil expires. It has a shelf life of around 1 to 2 years. Also, it is important you store it in a cool, dark place. Is tea tree oil good for toenails? Tea tree oil has therapeutic benefits. The antifungal properties of tea tree oil help treat toenails (15). You may use it to treat infections like athlete’s foot and nail fungus.
