A wart is a small, raised growth with a shape resembling a cauliflower and caused by certain strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. There are different strains of HPV and these cause different types of warts. HPV causes too much keratin (a hard protein) to develop in the top skin layer (epidermis). The extra keratin produces the rough, hard texture of a wart. Typically they appear on the back of hands, on the fingers, knees, and feet, although they may affect other parts of the body such as genital area. Although they are rarely painful, they may occasionally be itchy. In most cases, they will disappear spontaneously but when they persist, they are sometimes removed by freezing or burning. Unfortunately, these treatments often fail to have a lasting effect.

Modern Medical Science attributes warts to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, it seems that they will most likely affect people whose immune system is compromised. In Ayurveda, warts can be compared with Charmakeela. Most people have warts at some time in their life and they are a common skin complaint particularly in young children not yet fully developed. Almost every third person in life experiences the problem of warts.

What are the features and types of warts?

The pathogenesis of this disease happens due to vitiation of Vata along with Kapha over the skin causes the development of hard nail structures called Charmakeela. In Ayurveda, the features are described on the basis of domination of the Doshas. In Vata dominated Charmakeela, patient feels pricking type of pain, in Kapha domination it appears like nodule without changing the color of the skin and in Pitta dominated Charmakeela due to vitiation of Rakta (blood), it appears blackish in color, dry/oily and hard in nature. The incidence of warts is highest in children and young adults. According to modern science, different types of warts have been identified, which are differing in shape and site, as well as the type of human papillomavirus involved. These include:

·         Common wart (verruca vulgaris): A raised wart with rough surface, most common on hands and knees.

·         Flat wart (verruca plana): A small, smooth flattened wart, tan or flesh colored, which can occur in large numbers; most common on the face, neck, hands, wrists and knees.

·         Filiform or digitate wart: A thread or finger-like wart, common on the face, near the eyelids and lips.

·         Plantar wart (verruca, verruca pedis): A hard sometimes painful lump, often with multiple black specks in the center; usually only found on pressure points on the soles of the feet.

·         Mosaic wart: A group of tightly clustered plantar-type warts, commonly on the hands or soles of the feet.

·         Genital wart (venereal wart, condyloma acuminatum, verruca acuminata): Wart affecting the genital areas.

Common Wart

Flat Wat

Filiform Wart

Plantar Wart

Genital Wart

Is a wart contagious?

A wart is a contagious disease that can spread from one man to another. Warts can be spread from one location on the body to another or from person to person by contact with the wart. Sometimes warts are sexually transmitted and appear in the genital area.

What are the symptoms of warts?

It is very simple to identify warts through their shape and structure, but there are a few symptoms such as 1) Small bumps of flesh, 2) Pink, brown or white colour warts, 3) The rough surface, 4) Hard structure, 5) No pain, 6) Spreads with touching and entering into cuts. 

What are the causes of warts?

Warts occur because of the HPV virus, but the occurrence of warts depends on how our body and the immune system respond to the virus. The strong immunity neutralizes the effect of the virus and does not grow warts, only the weak immune system allows the virus to grow extra cells that eventually turn into warts. So, the causes of warts can include: 1) Weak immune system, 2) Sexual transmission, 3) Contagious transmission of warts causing virus, 4) Direct contact with warts, 5) Picking of warts.

What are the best Ayurvedic treatment for warts?

From an Ayurvedic point of view, warts are only likely to affect a person with low Pitta. There is a need to alkalize the system, but this cannot generally be achieved through an alkaline diet alone. The Ayurvedic treatment for warts utilizes internal medicines that treat the immune system, the blood, and the liver. These are selected according to individual requirements. Special creams made from herbs may also be found effective.

1) Apple cider vinegar and baking soda: Take 1 spoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 spoon of baking soda, mix them well and apply the mixture to the surface of the wart after scrapping it little bit and massage it for 1 to 2 minutes. Apply it again and massage it again, Repeat this process 3 to 4 times and apply the mixture and put a band around it and leave it there until you repeat this process again. Do this 2 to 3 times in a day. This apple cider vinegar remedy will increase some bearable pain and its acetic acid nature kills the virus and remove the wart slowly.

2) Castor oil and baking soda paste: Use 1:1 ratio castor oil and baking soda and make a toothpaste consistency paste. Apply it to the wart after scrapping its surface little bit and massage it for 1 to 2 minutes and put a band around it. Repeat this process for 2 times in a day.

3) Use Iodine: Apply a few iodine drops to wart, after scraping its surface, massage it for 1 to 2 minutes and then put a band around it. Repeat this process for two time in a day.

4) Use Vitamin C rich fruits (berries, melons, tomatoes, bell peppers and broccoli. and gooseberries) and vitamin D-rich foods (mushrooms, milk, cheese, orange juice, tofu, cereals, and yogurt). Use in your diet, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, Basil, Giloy, Ashwagandha to boost your immune system.

What are the prevention tips to regulate the expansion of warts?

1) Avoid direct contact with warts. 2) Do not pick at the warts. 3) Take precautions while using razor/shaving apparatus around the wart to avoid its expansion. 4) Avoid biting your nails. 5) Go for Vata-Kapha diet to reduce air/space and water/earth elements in your body. 6) Consume fruits and vegetables that are rich in Vitamins. 7) Apply lemon sap on the surface of the wart. In addition to these, cut down your sugar intake, eat two meals in a day and eat on time, do regular exercises, have good immunity, eat vitamin D3, have good digestion and good sleep.

What are the best Homeopathic remedies for warts?

·         Antimonium Crudum is best for hard, horny or soft with pain warts on palms, neck, and soles.

·         Castor Equi is for warts on forehead and breasts.

·         Causticum is used to cure seedy, large and gagged warts on face, nose, under fingernails or fingertips.

·         Dulcamara is good for large, smooth warts on face and palmar surface of hands.

·         Natrum Muriaticum used for warts on palms, hands, knuckles and soles.

·         Nitric acid given for large jagged warts, which bleed easily with offensive sweat and urination.

·         Sepia is suggested for smaller size warts on the neck region due to hormonal changes in females.

·         Thuja can be used for warts that are large, appear in groups, oozing moist discharges when disturbed. They may be seen on face, eyelids, scrotum, vulva, head, and anus and fingernail sides.